Youth Leadership Opportunities

State directors are Youth representatives for the state or country in which they live. These leaders promote and support AjPHA within their state and are voting members who will have a say in the rules, by-laws and AjPHA board. State directors serve from August 1 through July 31 of the following year.

How to Become a State Director

• The ideal national director is an active, involved AjPHA member with a passion for improving the association. If you have an active AjPHA membership, are in good standing and are 17 years of age or younger as of January 1 the year you will take office, then you are eligible to become a national director.
• Get nominated! Nominations are accepted April 1 to May 15. Regional club youth advisors may nominate members, or individuals may nominate themselves with the submission of five other current Youth members in their area endorsing the nomination.
• After nominations are received, voting opens. Voting is conducted online. All votes must be cast by July 1, and all current AjPHA members are eligible to vote.

2025 nominations open April 1.

Current Directors

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.

How to Get Elected

The ideal 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 APHA director of Youth and Amateur activities.

After you apply, start campaigning! Voting takes place during the annual AjPHA Membership Convention. Convince your fellow APHA members that you should be their representative.

2025 applications open April 1.

AjPHA Board of Directors Project

Part of the AjPHA president’s role is developing an AjPHA Board of Directors project that they pursue during their office term. The AjPHA Board of Directors Project must be measurable and benefit AjPHA members in some way.

Current Project

Makenna Noon’s project, titled “Bridging the Gap: Connecting Youth to the World of Paint Horses,” aims to reduce the barriers preventing young people from getting involved with Paint Horses. Makenna’s project has three goals. First, she strives to increase accessibility by making participation easier for youths with limited resources. Second, she looks to improve participation by leveraging Paynt Points and by exploring scholarship opportunities. Finally, Makenna hopes to collaborate with other youth organizations to create more opportunities for young people to interact with Paint Horses.

Current Officers

2024-2025 Officers