Sponsors Join American Youth Horse Council in Recognizing Exceptional Leaders: At its annual AYHC Symposium, the American Youth Horse Council recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for their efforts which benefit the youth horse industry through leadership, education, dedicated volunteer work, or promotion. With the invaluable support of strong sponsors, this year the AYHC honored three exceptional industry contributors:
The 2010 Student Leader of the Year was awarded to 14-year-old Ashley Ball, whose enthusiasm, strong mentorship to others, and obvious heart for the horse industry proved her worthy of the honor. A self-taught equestrian, Ashley trains horses, teaches children to ride, and competes successfully. Ashley received a framed Western Horseman print and a $500 scholarship sponsored by Junior Master Horseman, a fun, interactive learning program for young equestrians.
Many adults with leadership roles dedicate countless hours and endless energy to the young horsemen and women in their charge. The 2010 AYHC Youth Leader of the Year honors went to Sabrina Ginn, coach to award-winning 4-H Horse Judging Teams, advisor and youth leader in the Appaloosa Horse Club, and creator of innovative resources for engaging youth in horse activities. The AYHC recognized Sabrina with a framed Western Horseman print and a trophy buckle sponsored by the Certified Horsemanship Association, which promotes excellence in safety and education for the benefit of the entire horse industry.
Organizations which partner with the AYHC help to build an invaluable network of education and outreach. The AYHC awarded the 2010 Partnership Award to the Certified Horsemanship Association’s “Team CHA” program, which was created both to give young riders an opportunity to learn about horses and become engaged in the industry, and to encourage youth to volunteer, reach out to others and to develop equestrian safety as a lifestyle. Team CHA received a framed Western Horseman print and a bronze statuette, sponsored by the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program.
Members of the American Youth Horse Council can read more about these youth horse industry contributors in the May 2011 issue of the AYHC News Network, published quarterly. Nominations for next year’s honorees will be open this June; more details will be available soon at www.AYHC.com.
The American Youth Horse Council offers high-quality educational materials and ongoing training opportunities for those desiring to connect kids through horses. As a national information center, AYHC promotes communication between all breeds and disciplines, and advocates for the youth horse industry. For more, contact AYHC directly at info@AYHC.com or (800) 879-2942.