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 love to encourage young equestrians and provide a membership category for Junior Youth.  The fee is only $1 per year of the age of the youth while 13 years and under.

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

• Be a current Financial Member of AQHA-NZ for the year starting 1 August prior to the current season of the Trans-Tasman until after completion of the Trans-Tasman competition (ie for the 2025 TT Challenge to be eligible to nominate you must have been an AQHA-NZ member from 1 August 2024).
• All applicants must be a minimum of 13 years of age and a maximum of 18 years of age as of 1 August of the year of the Trans-Tasman Challenge.
• All applicants must be New Zealand citizens and reside in New Zealand.
• Applications will only be accepted on the official application form and must be fully completed, and all requested information supplied at time of application, or application will not be accepted.
• You the nominated rider, must prepare and present in writing a resume for yourself and your riding, this will include shows, clinics or trainings you have attended over the last year. It can include different disciplines such as Cutting, Reining, Ranch Horse or any other western discipline. You may like to include your own personal achievements from within school or in your community such as School Prefect or representing your school or club in your favourite sport/hobby outside or your equine sport. This resume will be taken into consideration for the selection process and must be either posted or emailed to the AQHA-NZ office by the specified date.
• The AQHA-NZ Youth Team will be made up of five (5) riders.
• Any youth that has previously taken part in a Youth World Cup as a riding team member is ineligible to apply for the Youth Trans Tasman Team.
• The nominated rider must compete in at least three (3) Youth classes at:
  – Four (4) AQHA-NZ or NZWRF approved shows in the current show season prior to the Trans Tasman Challenge.  As well as the four (4) shows, compete at either the AQHA-NZ National Show or the North/South Island Closed Show or attend at least one AQHA-NZ Youth Camp during the current show season prior to the Trans Tasman Challenge; or alternatively
  – A combination of three (3) AQHA-NZ, NZWRF, NZRHA or NZVRHA approved shows in the current show season prior to the Trans Tasman Challenge, compete at either the AQHA-NZ National Show or the North/South Island Closed Show during the current show season prior to the Trans Tasman Challenge.  Attend at least one AQHA-NZ Youth Camp for the year starting 1 August prior to the current season of the Trans-Tasman Challenge.
• If for any reason you cannot attend any of the required shows or training sessions, you must apply in writing with your reason, to AQHA-NZ Council BEFORE the event in question to request a dispensation, you will be notified of Council’s decision before that event.
• Have the ability to offer two registered Quarter Horses and equipment required for both horses to compete if selected suitable for the Trans-Tasman competition requirements (only applicable when NZ is the HOST country)

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: 
                 *Proven 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 Council 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 Council. The Coach is responsible for the organisation and selection of horses and riders to take part in clinics and a show also 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 Council 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 (ie for the YWC being held in July 2023 be a financial member from 1 August 2021 and 1 August 2022)
  • 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 (ie for the 2023 YWC team 2021/2022 year and 2022/2023 year and follow up YWC training camps.)  These camps are generally held in the school holidays were 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 (ie  for the 2023 YWC team the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons)  Must attend one AQHA-NZ Closed Show, North or South Island, plus four (4) others in ADDITION to the AQHA-NZ National Show on a 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 (ie for the 2023 YWC it will be the 2022 and 2023 AQHA-NZ Nationals) 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 prior to 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.