Leadership is a great way for AjPHA members to make a difference in their organization and gain valuable skills that will benefit them throughout life. Youth leadership opportunities are available within the AjPHA Board of Directors. Two groups make up the AjPHA Board of Directors: the AjPHA state directors and AjPHA officers. Additionally, AjPHA provides other leadership opportunities on a local level through regional club officers.
Leadership opportunities start on the local level in your AjPHA regional club. We encourage our members to become active in leadership in their Youth regional club. This allows you to make a difference right at home while making your club the best it can be.
| Christina Andognini | TX |
| Briana Bachman | IL |
| Angel Baer | TX |
| Kennedy Beltz | TX |
| Lucy Berghorst | MI |
| Isabella Bland | TX |
| Kadence Bonacci | NJ |
| Morgan Brown | MN |
| Drew Dayhuff | IN |
| Colten Dulin | ID |
| Jenna Edmonds | NJ |
| Faith Engemann | MO |
| Faith Fleeman | CA |
| Journey Frericks | IL |
| Kendall Gaspar | CA |
| Elena Godshall | NJ |
| Peytyn Goodin | TX |
| Emma Hartmann | IL |
| Izzy Jo Hostetler | IL |
| Teagan Kallus | TX |
| Shelby Kee | AR |
| Emilee LeDoux | WA |
| Brianna Massie | IL |
| Presly Morinville | CO |
| Megan Motes | CA |
| Dakota O’Rourke | TX |
| Raegan Strange | IL |
| Grace Tonkin | ID |
| Addyson Travis | CO |
| Ella Grace Veile | IL |
Two Youth leadership groups, the AjPHA state directors and the AjPHA officers, represent members of the American Junior Paint Horse Association on the national level. AjPHA officers oversee all AjPHA affairs, report the status of the association to members, and help govern and direct the course of AjPHA.
The ideal AjPHA officer is an active state director looking to expand their impact on the AjPHA program. All officer candidates must have served as an AjPHA state director for at least one year before applying. Candidates must be at least 12 years of age or older as of January 1 of the current year.
If you’re interested in serving as an AjPHA officer, submit your application by May 15. Make sure you know the responsibilities of the office you are applying for before you submit your application. If you have any questions, contact the Director of Youth & Amateur Activities.
After you apply, start campaigning! Voting takes place during the annual AjPHA Membership Convention. Convince your fellow AjPHA members that you should be their representative.
Part of the AjPHA president’s role is developing a special project that the AjPHA Board of Directors pursue during their office term. The AjPHA Board of Directors Project must be measurable and benefit AjPHA members in some way.
The 2025–2026 project, “Building Connections,” focuses on pairing Markel/APHA Professional Horsemen with Youth members to sustain and expand show involvement. Coupling the wisdom of our Professional Horsemen with the enthusiasm of AjPHA leaders through mentorship-focused connections will help equip Youth for success in the show ring and beyond.
| AjPHA President | Natalie Snapp |
| AjPHA President-Elect | Colten Dulin |
| AjPHA Vice President | Teagan Kallus |
| Zone 1 Representative | Colten Dulin |
| Zone 4 Representative | Teagan Kallus |