Page 38 - May 2022

AQHA RACING UPDATE
“I encourage you to spread the word about the Youth Racing Experience, volunteer to assist your affiliate in their event, or simply tell a horse-loving kid about it. “
AQHA YOUTH RACING EXPERIENCE
Spring is in the air, and we are enjoying what we typically do this time of year: admiring the new foals that are on the
ground, as well as the two year olds who are starting to show us what they’ve got. I think we all marvel at the unveiling of the next generation. But, what about the next generation of horsemen? What are we doing about that?
We do indeed have a great opportunity for kids to learn more about Quarter Horse racing. It is designed to foster their interest in our sport and offer an in-depth learning opportunity specific to our discipline. Scoop Vessels envisioned it back in 1998, and it’s called the AQHA Youth Racing Experience.
AQHA’s own editor, Andrea Caudill, is
an alumnus of this program and was amongst those who participated the inaugural year.
She has a great story that will be featured in
an upcoming Quarter Horse Journal, and so I don’t want to steal her thunder here. But I do want to tell you about the program so that you have an awareness of its existence or tell a kid who might want to get involved.
AQHA encourages our affiliates to host a Regional Youth Racing Experience (YRE) at a track in their state throughout the year. This local endeavor is intended to mimic the national program, whereby the participants spend time on the backside and learn about training,
the starting gates, the different roles of the veterinarian, the farrier, the clocker, the starter, and the track superintendent. From there, they go to the Racing Office and learn about entries, the role of the stewards, and get an overview regarding regulation in racing. During the experience, the kids attend the races and are offered insight to all that happens there. The saddling paddock, starting gates, winner’s circle, and test barn are all things they learn about.
How does a youth get involved in this great program? On the local level, contact your affiliate or us at AQHA to see if a Youth Racing
Experience is planned at a Quarter Horse track near you. Regarding the national event, look for information on the AQHA website and on Q-Racing social media in the coming months that will detail an opportunity to apply, gain access to study materials and then participate in an online skillathon, and seek an opportunity to be amongst the finalists who attend the event. The finalists who are chosen will attend a three-day schedule, tentatively set in 2022 for October 20-22 at Horseshoe Indianapolis that is held in conjunction with the AQHA Racing Conference and Bank of America Challenge Championships. Scholarships are offered to those who do the best while there.
As a horseman, I hosted kids from this program in my shed row every single year. I saw lives changed, and still engage with many of
them today. A recent survey reflected that of the respondents, 95% of YRE graduates are still in
the horse industry, and 30% are still in racing. Proof that this program is effective! I believe it is incumbent on us to foster the next generation,
and this is your opportunity to do so. I encourage you to spread the word about the Youth Racing Experience, volunteer to assist your affiliate in their event, or simply tell a horse-loving kid about it.
If you would like more information about YRE, I welcome you to email me at jvanbebber@aqha.org.
May 2022
by Janet VanBebber, AQHA Chief Racing Officer
36 SPEEDHORSE May 2022
Janet VanBebber and Chad Pierce present the 2021 AQHYA Racing Experience 1st place scholarship check to David Kendrick at the AQHA Bank of America Challenge Championships.
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse