Youth Programme

AQHA-NZ Youth Development Programme

The squad meets three times a year generally in school holidays for training and other activities. Whether you have your sights set on the World Cup or the Trans Tasman Challenge (in which case you must be a squad member) or just want to improve your riding skills and have fun, this is the place to do it.

What is it?  The youth development programme (known as the youth squad) has been developed through the AQHA-NZ for all youth, regardless of age and location, who own and ride a quarter horse. 

Purpose To provide training and development opportunities three times per year to youth riders at different locations throughout New Zealand. These have predominantly been in the North Island due to the majority of its members being in this location. 

Can anyone join? This programme is open to all youth riders aged 18years and under who own (have their quarter horse in their name) and ride a quarter horse. 

What does the programme offer? 
* Great new friendships and team building activities. 
* Three training and development weekends throughout the year. These weekends are usually in the middle weekend of the school holidays with the youth camp being held early January for all youth to attend (members and non-members). 
* Quality training techniques by professional trainers and ex-youth who share their knowledge and experience to improve the riding ability of the youth. 
* Opportunities to represent New Zealand both within New Zealand and overseas. 
* To be part of a dynamic and enthusiastic group of youth working towards bettering their riding skills and abilities in all areas of Western Riding. 

How much does it cost? A fee of $172.50 per year will include all of the above. Fees are payable by September 1st for the year. 

Can I come and see before I join? Any youth are welcome to come to any of the weekend meets and see what the youth are involved in. There is a cost of $75 for the weekend as a Casual Youth Camp fee

Contact: for any enquiries or questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Youth Portfolio Holder or the AQHANZ Office

Requirement for Trans-Tasman Challenge

• The nominated Youth must be 18 years of age or under as of 1 August of the year of the Trans-Tasman Challenge
• To be eligible for the Trans-Tasman challenge team you must not have been a “riding member” in a previous YWC.  The Reserve or Leadership YWC team members are eligible for Trans-Tasman Team selection.
• 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 2022 TT Challenge to be eligible to nominate you must have been an AQHA-NZ member from 1 August 2021)
• Member of the AQHA-NZ Youth Development Squad from 1 September prior to the current season the Trans-Tasman is being held in  (ie for the 2022 TT Challenge to be eligible to nominate you must have been a squad member from September 2021) until after the completion of the Trans-Tasman competition and pay the annual fee of $172.50 AND attend three squad trainings per year.
• Attend Three (3) Youth Development Squad camps in the season prior to TT (ie for the 2022 team it will be camps for the season starting 1 August 2021) and follow up TT 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 in the season prior to the TT event (ie Season starting 1 August 2021 for the 2022 TT Team) in ADDITION to the AQHA-NZ National Show on an AQHA-NZ registered Quarter Horse.
• Compete at the AQHA-NZ Nationals held for the season prior to the Trans-Tasman event (ie for the 2022 TT Team it would be the March 2022 National Show) in a minimum of two (2) youth events on your own, leased or family owned AQHA-NZ registered Quarter Horse.
• Completion of the Trans-Tasman nomination form and send this in to the office by 1 September of the year of nomination (being the season prior to the TT event) accompanied with the respective fee of $287.50.
• 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)
• 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.  You are only required to ride your own horse or leased Quarter Horse at Nationals.
• 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.

 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.
• Be a Member of the AQHA-NZ Youth Development Squad from 1 September TWO years prior to the YWC (ie for the 2023 YWC event it would be 1 September 2021 and 1 September 2022) and pay the annual fee of $172.50 and attend three squad trainings per year.
• Attend three (3) Youth Development Squad 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 1 September each year during the two year nomination period (ie for 2023 YWC it will be September 2021 and September 2022) with a nomination fee of $287.50 being paid.
• 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.