Youth World Games

APHA’s Youth World Games offers an exciting opportunity for Youth equestrians from around the world. The event takes place every two years, alternating between the APHA World Championship Show in Texas and the European Paint Horse Championship in Germany.

Eligibility

• Exhibitors must be 12–18 years of age as of January 1 of the show year.
• Exhibitors and team managers/coaches must be current APHA members in good standing at the time of the event.
• Entries are limited to one team per country, consisting of three to five exhibitors and one team coach/manager.
  • Each country’s regional club or affiliate association governs its system for team qualification and will name the official team coach/manager.
  • If a team has three exhibitors, then one exhibitor may show in two classes. Otherwise, the team’s four primary exhibitors compete in one event each.

The Games

• The Youth World Games consists of four classes: showmanship, Western horsemanship, hunt-seat equitation and ranch riding. One entry per team per class is permitted.
• Exhibitors randomly draw their mounts from a pool of designated horses. Exhibitors will show their selected horse (unless changed by majority decision of APHA/YWG staff).
• Exhibitors are limited to one 30-minute schooling session the day before the competition; outside of the practice session, exhibitors are not allowed to touch, groom, tack up, ride or practice with their selected horse in any way.

Judging & Awards

• The Youth World Games are judged according to APHA Rule Book guidelines.
• Placings in each of the four classes will be used to determine the final team rankings; points will be awarded to the team based on individual rider placings.

Champions take home custom Gist Silversmiths trophy buckles; other prizes are awarded, too. All exhibitors have the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships, create lasting memories and experience the spirited ambiance of the APHA World Show or European Paint Horse Championship.