(Calgary, AB – June 24, 2017 — A major initiative of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA) is to co-ordinate and field a team to represent Canada at biennial American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Cup competitions. Each participating country may select up to five youth team competing riders, two alternate riders and three non-competing youth to represent their country.

The host country provides a pool of horses of various ability levels and the teams draw to determine the horses to be ridden. Two to three members of each team compete in Western Horsemanship, Ranch Riding, Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Showmanship, Trail, Reining and Cutting classes. Funding for travel expenses for Team Canada
is cost-shared by AQHA/CQHA, provincial/regional Quarter Horse Associations, corporate and/or individual sponsors, and team members’ families.

Team Canada was one of 13 countries who participated at the 2016 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup held in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia. We were very proud of Team Canada, as they brought home individual silver medals – one each in Cutting and Reining and an individual bronze medal medal in Western Horsemanship, and as a team finished fourth overall.

Our 2016 Team Canada youth members were: Hanna Buijs, Lisle, ON, Ruth Enns, Schanzenfeld, MB, Haley Franc, Prince Albert, SK, James Heitzner, St. Clements, ON, Madison Holmes, New Glasgow, NS, Mackenzie Inksater, Roberts Creek, BC, Cheyanne Izon, Acton, ON, Megan Komori Kennedy, Merville, BC, and Melanie Trolley, Bancroft, ON, The 2016 Team Canada Coach and Team Manager were Christine Little, Brandon, MB, ON and Donna Sagin of Carberry, MB, respectively.

The next AQHA Youth World Cup is scheduled to be held in BryantCollege Station, Texas from June 28 to July 8, 2018. The CQHA is actively seeking qualified youth from all across Canada, who are Canadian citizens, Canadian residents, members-in-good-standing of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA), Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA), and the provincial/regional Quarter Horse Association where they reside.

Youth who are interested in applying as potential candidates (as riders and/or non-competing members) for Team Canada must apply by August 31, 2017 (postmark). The 2018 Team Canada Members Qualifying Criteria and the 2018 Team Canada Members Application Form are available by clicking on either of these two CQHA webpage links: Team Canada Forms or CQHA All Forms/Resourses or you can email Kathy Patterson, CQHA Youth World Cup Committee Chairperson.

Remember, if you are a current AQHA or AQHYA member-in-good-standing, you are eligible to be a CQHA member for NO extra membership fee in 2017. However, you must identify yourself to CQHA. You may do so by logging on to the CQHA web site and submit your membership information on-line.