Youth Programme

AQHA-NZ Youth Programme

 

The AQHA-NZ runs a very active programme for riders 18 and under, including youth camps and training, the opportunity to travel overseas to train and compete in both the Youth World Cup and the Australian/New Zealand Trans Tasman Challenge.

Good sportsmanship, unequalled competition, team spirit and lots of good fun have made these events that teens look forward to as a highlight of their Youth career.

AQHA-NZ is committed to encouraging and supporting young equestrians and offers a dedicated Youth Membership for riders aged 18 years and under. Youth Membership is just $25 per year, providing young riders with the opportunity to become involved in AQHA-NZ activities, shows, youth camps, training opportunities and our wider Youth Programme. 

 

What is the Trans Tasman Challenge?

  • Trans Tasman Challenge is a cooperative effort of the Australian Quarter Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association – New Zealand, which is designed to foster leadership and camaraderie amongst Australian and New Zealand Competitors.  Held every second year, the event is rotated between New Zealand and Australia.
  •  Trans Tasman provides experiences in international competition. Youth members who participate at Trans Tasman will demonstrate superior horsemanship, leadership, camaraderie, showmanship and international goodwill.
  •  Consisting of clinics and a competition, the event is generally staged over six to seven days, starting with clinics and concluding with the Trans Tasman Challenge.
  • Team Members will be required to compete in specific classes at the Challenge, which may include but are not limited to Showmanship, Western Horsemanship, Trail, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation and Ranch Riding.
  • Horses and tack are provided by the host country and each Team will be assigned a group of horses that are decided by ballot.

 

Youth Qualifying Criteria

Applicants for the AQHA-NZ Trans Tasman Youth Team must:

  • Be a current financial member of AQHA-NZ for the membership year commencing 1 August prior to the Trans Tasman Challenge and remain a financial member until after completion of the Challenge. For example, to be eligible to nominate for the 2027 Trans Tasman Challenge, applicants must be an AQHA-NZ member from 1 August 2026.
  • Be a minimum of 13 years of age and a maximum of 18 years of age as at 1 August in the year of the Trans Tasman Challenge.
  • Be a New Zealand citizen and reside in New Zealand.
  • Complete and submit the official Trans Tasman Youth Team application form by the specified closing date, with all requested information supplied.
  • Prepare and submit a résumé outlining their riding experience and activities undertaken during the previous year. This may include shows, clinics, training and participation in disciplines such as Cutting, Reining, Ranch Horse or other western disciplines. Applicants may also include personal achievements outside of equestrian sport, such as leadership roles, school achievements, community involvement or participation in other sports and activities. The résumé will be taken into consideration as part of the selection process and must be submitted to the AQHA-NZ office by the specified closing date.
  • Meet the eligibility, participation and nomination requirements set out in the Trans Tasman Nomination Briefing Document provided to applicants. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they understand and meet the requirements outlined in the briefing document.
  • Not have previously competed as a riding team member at an AQHA Youth World Cup.
  • If New Zealand is the host country, have the ability to make two registered Quarter Horses, together with the equipment required for each horse, available for the Trans Tasman Challenge if requested and if the horses are considered suitable for the competition requirements.

 The AQHA-NZ Trans Tasman Youth Team will consist of five (5) riders.

 

Selection Process

      • A panel of selectors, nominated by the AQHA-NZ Council, will be appointed.
      • The Selectors appointed to determine the Team Members of Team New Zealand for Trans-Tasman will:
      • Observe applicants at shows, paying close attention to and evaluating their horsemanship skills, presentation skills, and in particular their attitude and sportsmanship.
      • Review the applications of each applicant to establish: 
        • Show experience in a variety of AQHA-NZ events on different horses”. 
        • Ability to co-operate with peers, displaying sportsmanship skills and leadership qualities in various activities. 
        • Dedication to the Quarter Horse breed.
        • The Selection Committee will provide their selections to the youth portfolio holders, who will present the selections to the AQHA-NZ Committee for ratification.
      • The successful applicants will be notified by phone and email when the selection process is complete.

Coach

A Youth Coach will be selected by appointment by the AQHA-NZ Committee. The Coach is responsible for the organisation and selection of horses and riders to take part in clinics and a show, as well as the welfare of the horses regarding feed, water and stable cleaning and preparation of the horses for competition.

 

Team Manager

A Team Manager will accompany and oversee the travel, welfare, and organisation of the Team whilst taking part in the Trans Tasman Challenge. The Team Manager will be selected by appointment by AQHA-NZ Committee and will assist with team arrangements prior to competing at the Trans Tasman Challenge.

Requirements for AQHA Youth World Cup

    • The nominated Youth must be 18 years of age or under as of 1 January of the year YWC is held
    • Current Financial Member of AQHA-NZ for TWO years starting 1 August – being two years prior to the YWC event.
    • The Youth MUST be a financial member of AQHA (USA) at time of selection and at time of YWC competition.
    • Attend youth camps held during the two seasons of nomination.  These camps are generally held in the school holidays where possible.
    • Must compete in a minimum of five (5) events in a minimum of at least five (5) AQHA-NZ, approved shows during the 2 seasons of nomination.  Must attend one AQHA-NZ Closed Show, North or South Island, plus four (4) others in ADDITION to the AQHA-NZ National Show on an AQHA-NZ registered Quarter Horse (Note – North or South Island Closed Show is only one show NOT two)
    • Compete at the AQHA-NZ Quarter Horse Nationals for the two seasons during the nomination period in a minimum of two (2) youth events on your own, leased or family-owned AQHA-NZ registered Quarter Horse.

    • Completion of the YWC nomination form and send this into the Office by the date set on the nomination form accompanied by the nomination fee.
    • Those Youth chosen to represent New Zealand, including the reserve rider and leadership, are to attend all training sessions before departure to the YWC as nominated by the Team Coach and/or Manager
    • In the case of injury or illness to your horse during a qualifying show season it will be necessary to apply, in writing, within the month to AQHA-NZ Council for dispensation to ride a leased/borrowed horse to complete the riding sections of the criteria.
    • In the case of injury or illness to the nominated Youth causing non-attendance/completion to any of the above eligibility requirements, it will be necessary to apply within the month, in writing, for dispensation to the AQHA-NZ Council.