Exhibitors are automatically opted into a Ford Youth World reining team competition, which is held concurrently with the Level 3 prelims on August 10 in the Performance Arena. A random draw will divide the entries into five-person teams.

Some of the industry’s most exciting competitions are uniquely Appaloosa events such as the Rope Race and the horse-against-horse Nez Perce Stake Race. Select Walk-Trot classes, such as Walk-Trot Western Pleasure and Walk-Trot Trail.

Leonard Berryhill of Talala, Oklahoma, Roger Branch of Wellston, Oklahoma, John Briggs of Pilot Point, Texas, Steve Brown of Millsap, Texas, Kelly Boles Chapman of Bellevue, Michigan, Ian Chisholm of Weatherford, Texas, Ralph Depew of Perryton, Texas, Bob Freeman of Arnett, Oklahoma, Karen Graham of Cave Creek, Arizona, Jason Haefner of Winters, California, Cindy Hale of Perryton, Texas, Mike Hay of Pinnacle, North Carolina, Faron Hightower of Santo, Texas

Andy Adams of Gerber, California, Jeff Allen of Scott City, Kansas, Sissy Anderson of Leitchfield, Kentucky, David Avery of Amarillo, Joe Cameron of Moulton, Alabama, Rick Christy of Reddick, Florida, Sandy Collier of Santa Maria, California, Ed Cridge of Tioga, Texas, Ed Dingledine of Ashland, Ohio, Don Falcon of Columbia, Louisiana, Larry Hansch of Nocona, Texas, Scott Hofstetter of Ocala, Florida, Bobby Hunt of Comfort, Texas, Randy Jacobs of Dover, Ohio

An Amateur and Masters Amateur exhibitors may show up to three different horses in individual working events, like trail and western riding. However, the rules above still apply—a Masters Amateur cannot show the same horse in the same event, even if it’s in a different age group. For example, a Masters Amateur may show two horses in the Amateur trail and a different horse in the Masters Amateur trail.

Meet the amazing Youth who are running for a spot on the AjPHA Executive Committee. AjPHA National Directors can cast their votes online June 20–July 12; the Youth Executive Committee for 2017–2018 will be announced thereafter. Candidates will give their speeches at the AJPHA Youth Convention (June 28 at the Youth World Show in Fort Worth, Texas) and campaign during the show’s Ice Cream Party (July 3), too!

Bub Poplin of Fruita, CO made history in 2017 when he earned back-to-back wins in the $20,000 RAM Invitational Freestyle Reining on Smokin Custom Chrome. He also took home People’s Choice honors. The 2017 event included bridleless routines, coconut bras, zebras, Donald Trump and more!

Disciplines will include Trail, Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Equitation. Topics of discussion will include an introduction to lead changes, Western and English rail performance, how judges use score sheets, and much more.