By Jacob Grinstead
A number of talented youth are seeking a spot on the AjPHA Executive Committee; AjPHA national directors will receive email notice to cast their votes online from June 20–July 12, after which the Youth Executive Committee for 2018–2019 will be announced. Candidates will give speeches at the AjPHA Youth Convention on June 30 and will have the opportunity to campaign during the Youth World Show’s Ice Cream Party on the July 2.
President for 2018–2019 is Sabine Lazo, who is currently serving as the president-elect:
Sabine Lazo, 15
Caldwell, TX
Position: President
Slogan: “Together We Can Make a Difference”
Sabine has shown horses since she was 5 and has spent the last two years as a member of the AjPHA Executive Committee. She has served as an officer in GCPHC, TPHC and her local FFA chapter. Her Presidential Project, “Color the Community,” aims to increase volunteerism in AjPHA members creating a way to log community service hours and offering incentives to participants. She has been described as “the welcoming, smiling face at any horse show” and will serve as the AjPHA president in the coming year.
Meet our other aspiring Youth leaders:
Maryann Johnson, 15
Drewryville, VA
Position: Vice President, Secretary
Slogan: “We are one!”
Maryann is an involved member and president of the Virginia Junior Paint Horse Club. She has shown Paint horses for eight years and has served as a national director for three years. Maryann also serves as an officer in her local 4-H and FFA and participates in field hockey and softball. Maryann has a passion for community service and is very active in her local church. In the future, Maryann hopes to see the AjPHA introduce an association-wide service project and increase AjPHA involvement in horse evaluation and hippology events.
Teagan Goble, 13
Rosharon, TX
Position: Treasurer, Zone Representative
Slogan: “If it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t make cents. Vote Teagan Goble for AjPHA Treasurer.”
Teagan has been involved in the Paint Horse world since he was born, showing in lead line, moving into Walk-Trot, halter and eventually all-around classes as he got older. He is a youth team leader at his church and is involved in a number of extracurricular activities, including football, basketball and baseball. Teagan is also a rodeo athlete who competes in bareback riding, saddlebronc riding and mini bull riding. His goals for AjPHA are to increase interaction with youth and improve show numbers by encouraging children at local 4-H an open shows. He also wants to use social media to promote AjPHA.
Hallie Malcolm, 17
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Position: Zone Representative
Slogan: “Fun times! Good Rides!”
Hallie has shown Paints for the past six years and has represented Canada in the AjPHA Youth World Games. She figure skates and enjoys tubing and wake boarding. Hallie also enjoys volunteering with her local figure skating club and performing community service alongside her school. Her goals for AjPHA include increasing class sizes and youth membership. She plans on doing so by promoting novice classes on Facebook and in local communities.
Grace Wydziak, 13
Dodge City, KS
Position: Treasurer, Zone Representative
Slogan: “Working Through Patterns”
Grace’s involvement in Paints began at the age of 7, when she showed her Paint at local open and 4-H shows. She shows in numerous open shows, including South Central Stock Horse Association and High Plains Horse Shows. Grace is involved in middle school band, livestock judging and livestock showing. She often gives piano lessons, plays for nursing home residents and helps younger 4-H members with horse and rabbit projects. Her goals for AjPHA include expanding mentorship opportunities to youth.
Treylyn Hancock
Wharton, TX
Position: Zone Representative
Slogan: “We Can and We Will!”
Treylyn began learning how to ride on her uncle’s Paint when she was 3 years old; from there, she began to compete in speed events. She has now moved on to ranch horse events and won the All-Around Youth Ranch Riding 13 & Under award in 2017. Treylyn is involved in a number of other activities, from serving as an officer in her local 4-H club to competing on her Junior FFA’s Horse Judging team. In addition, she is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, runs track, plays tennis and volunteers with her 4-H club. In addition to her other endeavors, Treylyn is also helping a family friend with autism prepare to ride her horse during the CHAMPS Challenge at the Youth World Show. Her goals for AjPHA include giving youth a greater voice in the rule change process by working with her peers to give input at the National Convention. She also hopes to strengthen the relationships youth members create regardless of discipline.
Reece Chapman, 13
Bellevue, MN
Position: Treasurer
Slogan: “Vote Reece for Treasurer—you can COUNT on him!”
Reece has been involved in APHA for his whole life. In the past several years, he has attended the Youth Leadership Conference and Youth World Show. He served as the Zone 8 representative for the AjPHA Executive Committee in 2017. Reece is involved in a number of other activities, including livestock showing, lacrosse and cross country. He is involved in his community by serving on Battle Creek Community Foundation’s Youth Alliance Committee, which volunteers in the community, writes grants and engages youth. He hopes to encourage youth to participate and take advantage of all the activities AjPHA has to offer.
Mannetta McAvaddy, 15
Vineland, NJ
Position: President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Zone Representative
Slogan: “Be LOUD with AjPHA!”
Mannetta has owned and shown Paints for 12 years and has been an active member of the Garden State Paint Horse Youth Club for four years. She currently acts as the president of the GSPHYC, a national director for her state and the Zone 7 representative on the AjPHA Executive Committee. She competes on a variety of other equine-related teams, including Saddlebrook’s IEA team, the Gloucester County Equine Science Team and the New Jersey Equine Presentations team at the National 4-H Round-Up. Mannetta also serves as the secretary for the class of 2020, competes in soccer and runs track. She enjoys community involvement by volunteering for the Therapeutic Riding Club in South Jersey and working for service projects in GSPHYC, U-Got Brains, Natural Helpers, National Honors Society, and Stand Up and Rebel. Her goals for AjPHA include increasing the number of solid Paint-bred horses shown at New Jersey regional shows. She plans to do this by advertising and communicating with youth at 4-H and open shows.
Madison Martin, 15
Evington, VA
Position: Secretary
Slogan: “Together We Can Make a Difference”
Madison has been involved in APHA for several years and is currently seeking re-election to her position as Executive Committee secretary. In the past she has served as vice president of the Virginia Junior Paint Horse Club, VjPHC National Director and VjPHC secretary. Madison is involved with a variety of activities outside of the Paint community, serving as president of her local 4-H club, Bedford Country 4-H Horse and Pony Club, and Young Republican’s club at her high school. She also plays basketball, performs in the wind symphony band, and serves as the vice president of the French Honor Society at her high school. Madison’s community involvement includes serving as a Virginia Senate Page, interning for Senator Steve Newman and serving the children’s ministry at her church. Her goals for AjPHA include encouraging show involvement and volunteering by encouraging youth members to learn from those around them.
Reagan Jennings, 15
College Station, TX
Position: Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Zone Representative
Slogan: “I don’t run very often, but when I do, I run for an AjPHA Office.”
Reagan has been involved in the Paint world for almost four years. She has served as Texas Paint Horse Club’s Youth treasurer, Gulf Coast Junior Paint Horse Club’s reporter and a two-time national director. She also participates in 4-H, FFA, snowboarding, wakeboarding, and rabbit showing. Reagan also serves her community by tutoring chemistry students and volunteering for her church youth group, the equestrian Special Olympics and Keep Brazos Beautiful. His goals for AjPHA include educating and growing the number of youth members. She hopes to achieve this by encouraging current members to reach out to others and promote AjPHA.
Katie Latham, 15
Meridian, ID
Position: President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Zone Representative
Slogan: “Building for the future”
Katie has shown and ridden Paint Horses for the past three years, showing IBA Sweet Talkin Zip to great success and serving as the president of the Idaho Junior Paint Horse Club. She is also very involved in FFA and will be representing Idaho in Horse Evaluation at the 2018 National FFA Convention. Katie is also involved in HOSA and places great value in her academics. She contributes to her community by volunteering through her local senior living center, Rake Up Boise and the Caldwell Night Rodeo. Her goals for AjPHA are to make leadership opportunities more accessible for youth. She hopes to accomplish this by promoting positions and increasing the number of youth events.
Renee Conklin, 15
Hallsville, MO
Position: President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Zone Representative
Slogan: “Hay hay hay! Vote for Renee”
Renee has grown up riding and showing Paint Horses. She attended her first show in 2005 to show in lead line. She is also involved in FFA, student council, art club and biology club. In addition, she serves as a wrestling manager. Renee contributes to her community by volunteering at local food banks, helping with trash pickup, and raking leaves for the elderly. She hopes to foster more communication between executive directors and national officers. Renee would also like to increase the amount of service projects the organization plans.
Rana Orsan, 15
St. Louis, MO
Position: President-Elect, Zone Representative
Slogan: “Vote for Rana, the future is here”
Rana has been involved in APHA since she was 9. She started serving as a national director when she was 10, and currently acts as the AjPHA vice president. She was also the Pinto Horse Association youth secretary this past year and is involved in USEF, MPHC, IPHA and equine assisted therapy. Rana is very involved in her high school, participating in Book Club, Latin Club, Science Club, Spectrum and National Honors Society. She regularly assists as an after-care volunteer and an equine-assisted therapy side walker. Rana would like to increase the number of leadership roles available to AjPHA members.
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.