Leadership That Inspires

Opportunities at Every Level

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.

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 Become an AjPHA Officer

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.

AjPHA Board of Directors Project

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 2026–2027 project, “Inclusivity, no matter the barrier,” focuses on enhancing AjPHA member engagement. Special focal areas are developing a Youth exchange program and expanding opportunities for Equestrians With Disabilities and developing templates for club use.

2026–2027 Officers

AjPHA President	Colten Dulin
AjPHA President-Elect	Teagan Kallus
AjPHA Vice President	Jenna Edmonds
AjPHA Secretary	Peyton O'Rourke
AjPHA Treasurer	Dakota O'Rourke
Zone 1 Representative	Emilee LeDoux
Zone 4 Representative	Teagan Kallus
Zone 5 Representative	Faith Engemann
Zone 6 Representative	Shelby Kee
Zone 7 Representative	Jenna Edmonds

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.

Current Directors

Bryleigh Anderson	TX
Aliyah Attar	MA
Lucy Berghorst	MI
Morgan Brown	MN
Stella Chamberlain	VT
Madelyn Chinni	TX
Kaili Czapinski	TX
Colten Dulin	ID
Jenna Edmonds	NJ
Faith Engemann	MO
Journey Frericks	IL
Ella Grace Veile	IL
Emma Hartmann	IL
Katriel Hwang	TX
Izzy Jo Hostetler	IL
Teagan Kallus	TX
Landyn Kath	CO
Shelby Kee	AR
Addison Kimble	VA
Caleb Kimble	VA
Zoey Knight	WA
Emilee LeDoux	WA
Gunner Link	TX
Siena Link	TX
Morgan Nuding	IL
Peyton O'Rourke	TX
Dakota O'Rourke	TX
Siobhan Owens	MO
Emma Quirsfeld	TX
Elliot Reza	TX
Weston Rutkoski	TX
Raegen Strange	IL

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.

Find a club near you!