The Challenge is a six-month contest to train a young horse for a cross-discipline tournament to be held October 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The competition combines the equestrian skills of Dressage, Ranch/Trail Versatility and Liberty. The top ten finishers split a purse worth $28,000.

Overberg has enjoyed a tremendously successful youth career, highlighted by her 2013 horsemanship championship at the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) World Show. From 2010-2012, Overberg collected top-10 finishes and top-five finishes in horsemanship and equitation.

Who’s ready for the 2014 Little Futurity and Tar Heel Triple Classic?! The Tar Heel Triple Classic is scheduled for June 12-22 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Little Futurity will take place during the event, June 15-18.

Two APHA task forces—appointed at the 2013 APHA Workshop to study several issues of association importance—presented their reports to members at the 2014 APHA Convention February 23 in Irving, Texas.

Nearly 100 APHA members gathered early on February 23 to honor the association’s former leaders at the 2013 APHA Convention’s Past Presidents Breakfast. Among those past presidents in attendance included John Hertner (1996); Scot Jackson (2012); Diane Paris (1998); Paul Reinbolt (2005); Carl Thurow (2008); Travis Titlow (2011); and Linda Vance (2010).

In a meet that came down to the final event of the day, the Horned Frogs rose to the challenge to stay in contention for a Big 12 Championship and move to 5-1 at home. Needing three points in Horsemanship to claim the win, the Frogs’ headed into the discipline with an 8-7 lead and then watched as sophomore Colby Plott downed two-time All-America honoree Katy Krshka, 75.5-75, to secure Saturday’s home finale.

Saturday’s judges will be Jim Frazier and Tim Finkenbinder. Sunday’s judges will be Lisa Moden and Wayne Laske. The event will offer two APHA shows, all-breed classes, and free food and fun on Saturday evening.

First up, the Gateway Classic is scheduled to take place May 22-26 in St. Louis, Missouri. The show will offer six sets of points plus a special event trail and western pleasure show. Judges will be Merle Arbo, Kelly McDowall, Beckey Schooler, Michelle Tidwell, Andrea Simons, Jessica Gilliam, and a TBA judge.

The judges have just been announced for the 2014 Virginia Quarter Horse Classic, which is scheduled to take place in Lexington, VA on April 10-13. Judges will include Jennifer Thompson, Jennifer Leckey, Tim Abler, Bruce Walquist, Clint Fullerton, and Curtis Reynolds.

As always, there are some interesting proposals up for discussion. Most often, the Amateur Committee and Show and Pro Horseman Committee have the largest number of items on the docket. Check out a brief preview below…