Team Illinois wins the 2025 Youth Team Tournament
Article & Photo by Laurel Cox
Team Illinois won the 2025 Youth Team Tournament on June 20. The event kicked off the 2025 APHA World Championship Show at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Participants composing 11 teams from across the United States went head-to-head in a scavenger hunt, relay race and team media interview.
The Youth Team Tournament provides Youth members the opportunity to participate in friendly competition at the World Show without the need for a horse.
“The Youth Team Tournament is such a fun event to kick off the World Show and work out some nerves before showing,” APHA Director of Youth &Amateur Activities Reagan Bennett said. “It also promotes teamwork, equine knowledge and competitive events while fostering camaraderie and personal growth without requiring a horse. We see so many new friendships made and others strengthened. Most importantly, they have a blast!”
The top six qualifying teams made it to the finals to compete in a bouncy horse relay. Despite a few buck-offs, tack mishaps and breaks in the pattern, all six teams completed the relay with time to spare. It was a photo finish for first place, and Team Illinois came out on top.
“[Winning] was magical,” Team Illinois member Journey Frericks said as she was embraced by her cheering teammates.
Congratulations to the 2025 Youth Team Tournament winners:
Champion Team Overall: Team Illinois
- Izzy Hostetler
- Emma Hartman
- Peytyn Goodin
- Ella Veile
- Journey Frericks
- Malia Gabriel
Reserve Champion Team Overall: Perri’s Posse
- Drew Dayhuff
- Angelica Zizza
- Ella Steinhagen
- Lucy Berghorst
- Megan Motes
- Colten Dulin
3rd Place Overall: Florida PHC Team 2
4th Place Overall: Texas PHC Team 1
5th Place Overall: Palmetto PHC’s Pink Pony Club & Friendswood FFA
6th Place Overall: Florida PHC Team 2
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.