The AjPHA Youth World Games are going international in 2016, and a location for the exciting youth event has been chosen.
In its first year of international travel, the Youth World Games will take place in Kreuth, Germany, in conjunction with the 2016 European Paint Horse Championships, August 29–September 4.
The biennial Youth World Games invites countries to bring teams of four riders and an alternate to compete in showmanship, Western horsemanship, hunt-seat equitation and trail. Riders will be assigned randomly selected mounts, and must show off their riding abilities in the show pen after only a brief warm-up session.
“APHA is thrilled to partner with the European Paint Horse Championships to host the 2016 Youth World Games,” Director of Youth and Amateur Activities and Awards Christine Henry said. “As the largest international Paint Horse event, EuroPaint will help continue the tradition of giving our Youth an elite platform on which to shine.”
Participating teams are asked to arrive by August 27 and stay through September 3.
In addition to friendly competition between countries, the Youth World Games teams are invited to a Youth Boot Camp, welcome reception, AjPHA activities including a meeting and scavenger hunt, and day trips including destinations like the Bavarian Stud Farm, area castles and an overnight trip to Munich. A day-to-day schedule will be released upon finalization.
Support Youth
Interested in supporting the Youth World Games with a cash or in-kind sponsorship?
USA contact is Christine Henry at [email protected]
European contact is Viktoria Fischer at [email protected]
Enter, Compete, Win!
The deadline to enter a team is March 15, 2016. The team entry form and $100 entry fee must be received in the APHA office by that date.
Each country may enter one team composed of four exhibitors, an alternate exhibitor and a coach. All team members must be AjPHA members in a good standing and citizens of the country they are representing. Teams are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
In the event a country cannot assemble a full team, adjacent countries may combine to form a team.
View the complete 2016 Youth World Games Rules
The deadline to apply for the Team USA is December 31, 2015.
Applicants must be an AjPHA member in good standing and U.S. citizens. To apply, please send a completed application, a $45 application fee, a 2-3 minute video, two letters of recommendation and a headshot photograph. The members of Team USA will be announced in early January 2016. Apply to represent and ride for TEAM USA!
The 2016 AjPHA Youth World Games promises to be a truly unique and unforgettable experience for AjPHA members. For more information, contact APHA Director of Youth and Amateur Activities Christine Henry via email or call (817) 222-6436.
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[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provided back to apha.com.]
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded in 1962. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.