horseIQ Youth Showdown

horseIQ Youth Showdown

Show off your horse knowledge at the horseIQ Youth Showdown featuring hippology, hands-on skills and public speaking! Scholarships will be awarded to the Top Three in the Youth 14–18 division as well as prizes for first through tenth in each division.

June 21, 2026, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX

Empower the next generation of Paint Horse leaders and show your support by sponsoring the inaugural horseIQ Youth Showdown. Check out our sponsorship packages and make a difference today.

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Youth member brushing a Paint Horse.

Eligibility

  • All Youth are invited to enter. AjPHA membership is not required.
  • All contestants must be between 8 and 18 years old as of January 1 of the current year.
  • Western attire is required for all contestants (long-sleeve shirt and jeans or slacks; blazer or tie are optional)

Age Divisions

  • Youth 14-18
  • Youth 8-13

Entry Fees

  • Received by June 1: $40/person
  • Received June 1–20: $45/person
  • Entries close June 20
Entry Form

The Event

The horseIQ Youth Showdown consists of the following components:

Hippology Exam with Identification Stations

  • All contestants begin with the Hippology exam. Each contestant will have a total of 2 hours to complete both portions of the exam.
  • The exam will consist of 50 multiple choice questions and 25 identification stations.
  • Each contestant will have an hour and half to complete the exam.
  • The Top 10 from each age division will advance to the next round.

Hands-On Skills

  • Contestants will be asked to complete a variety of skills that are crucial to being a knowledgeable horseman.
  • Skills will be based on age division; examples include grooming, polo wraps, how to halter and how to tie.
  • The Top Five from the 14–18 division will advance to the next round.
  • This is the final portion for Youth 8-13 contestants.

Impromptu Speech Contest

  • The Top Five Youth 14–18 contestants will be assigned a speech topic, relating to a current issue within the equine industry.
  • After the topics have been assigned, lunch will be provided and the contestants will have 30 minutes to prepare a speech.
  • Speeches should be between 3-5 minutes.
  • This section will be open to public attendance.

Awards

Awards will be presented to first- through tenth-place winners, plus buckles for the top two individuals in each age division. A minimum of $2,500 in scholarships will be awarded across the Top Three in the Youth 14–18 division.

Resources

Results & Rubrics