New Beginnings Call for a New Blog

Hello, Youth members!

I have successfully neglected blogging for awhile now. It's high time I started blogging again.

Too much has happened since I last updated this site, ranging from Congress to the Worlds and from the banquet to new officers. Great. I have a solid foundation to start with:

News from the Past: 2010's youth group had an awesome year. Those who showed down at Congress and the Youth World traveled far, did their best, gave their all, and had spectacular experiences with each other.

The amount of MYQHA enthusiasts has been increasing, which is AWESOME.

2010 MQHA Scholarship winners were announced, and they are Sarah Lindblom, Ashley Johnson, and Katherine Melton. Congratulations, and best of luck during college and in the future!

On a more personal note, a subject I am still saddened to talk about is the great tragedy that struck Megan and Tammy Eckstein. Roy is and will continue to be missed, and shows won't be the same without him; however, their purchase of Megan's new horse, "Millie," shed light in a time of such darkness, and will give Megan the opportunity to show again. I believe I speak for everyone when saying congratulations and best of luck in 2011!

Current News: 2010's All-Arounders have been announced (about 2 months ago; everybody thank me for not updating this site at that time!), and the results are as follows:

13-and-Under All-Around: Grand is Danielle Paulson with Ima Blazing Rosita; Reserve is Samantha Kaiser with Pass Along a Flower.

14-18 Youth: Grand is Kristin Eklin with Hot Sizzlin Choice; Reserve is Kendra Dallmann with Western Dressed.

CONGRATULATIONS, ALL-AROUNDERS!!

On that note, 2011 officers have also been announced:

President: Caitlin Johnson
Vice President: Megan Eckstein
Secretary/Reporter: myself, Carah Pearson
Treasurer: Paige Wacker

Board of Directors: Mercedes Perez; K'Lee Sherbrooke; Sydney Thune; and Mallory Dietz
13-and-Under BOD: Lauryn Thune; Parker Knudson; Danielle Paulson; and Samantha Kaiser.

Thank you to our new Youth Advisor, Vickie Kettlewell!

Which now leads us to the banquet that was held in the Radisson hotel in Duluth, MN, on the evening of January 22nd. Everyone had a great time, and the fundraiser for the Jonis Ponies painting was a huge success. Keep up the great work!

Finally, the show calendar is (and has been for awhile now) up, and you can view it by clicking here.

Whew, that was a lot to cover. In addition to everything, I deeply hope that all youth and amateur members have a stellar year that surpasses the last ones. Keep up the progress, everyone! Here's to a successful 2011 show season!

-Carah Pearson

Questions? Comments? Random Mumblings? E-mail me! sunseternalchaos@hotmail.com

Youth World Coming Up

Congrats to all the youth exhibitors that qualified - both Nationally and State Affiliate - for the AQHYA World Show.
First, this years team is very diverse... from jumping to speed events, cutting to ranch sorting, plus all the 'regular' all around classes... Below is a run down of who is representing our state and the classes participating... - the S or N next to the name indicates State or National invite...

Megan Machesky
Perf Geldings - N
Equitation - N
Horsemanship - S
Hunter Under Saddle - N
Showmanship - Alternate

Paige Wacker
Showmanship - N
Perf Geldings - N
Aged Mares (with Top Secretina) - S

Alison Golden
Equitation over fences - N
Working Hunter - S
Hunter Hack - S
Jumping - S

Ashley Beim
Equitation - N
Perf Geldings - N
Showmanship - S
Western Riding - S
Trail - S
Horsemanship - S
Hunter Under Saddle - S

Katie Bernick
Western Pleasure - S

Kate Melton
Hunter Under Saddle - S
Showmanship - S

Kristin Eklin
Equitation - S
Hunter Under Saddle - S
Horsemanship - S
Showmanship - S

Taylor Briggs
Western Pleasure - S
Horsemanship - S
Trail - S
Western Riding - S
Showmanship - S
Hunter Under Saddle (With Dancin With Joe) - S

Matt Arkfeld
Barrels - S
Ranch Sorting - S

Lane Arkfeld
Barrels - S
Ranch Sorting - S

Amber Mackove
Barrels - S
Stake Race - S
Poles - S
Ranch Sorting - S

Ryan Lind
Cutting - N


I need photos of all the exhibitors!!
It can be a photo with your horse from a show, or a graduation picture... it is up to you.
Please scan (if you already have a digital file - that is awesome) and email back to me at this address.
The bigger the better... no web graphics will be allowed.
If you provide me with a graphic that is too small to use, I will ask you to resend.
The photos will be used for a banner for the stalls. I will design a 'rock star' themed banner that represents Minnesota for our stall area. I am also toying with the idea of making t-shirts for everyone... they would be white with probably the same graphic that the banner will have on it. Please send me your t-shirt size. If I don't hear back from you on this by July 15 or so, I will order you an XL...

The theme for this years stall decorating is 'Rock Your World'... any ideas would be greatly appreciated for decorations, etc.

Please call me with any questions you have!
I am super excited for this strong bunch of exhibitors to be heading to OKC!!!

Lana Green, Youth Advisor
218-530-0159

Reminder ~ Region Three Advertising Fundraiser

Youth, don't forget to be working on your Region Three Advertising fundraiser! The deadline is approaching very quickly! If you need an extra advertising information sheet contact Laura Malone.

Youth Fundraiser at the 2009 Corporate Challenge!

The youth will be putting on their annual Basket Fundraiser at this years Corporate Challenge. The baskets will be set out at the beginning of the show, and bid on through the duration of the weekend. This always draws a big crowd, so get your baskets going today! If you have questions or need help with basket ideas contact Laura Malone.

Youth Day at the Races

I received this letter today from Randy Weidener, President of the Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association.

"Are you a youth between the ages of 14-19 (as of June 1st 2009)? Do you love horses and want to learn more about Quarter Horse racing? Join us for Youth Day at the Races!! Learn about Quarter Horse racing from being a spectator to being a trainer.Then have an opportunity to win $1000 scholarship to a college of your choice. Read here to see what last year’s winner won at the AQHYA Racing Experience. http://www.mqhra.com/documents/2008MyAQHYARacingExperience.pdf"


This sounds like an AWESOME opportunity!!! All youth should participate, if not just for the fun of it... a day at the races sounds like a BLAST!!!!

CLICK HERE TO GET APPLICATION TO JOIN!!! DEADLINE IS JUNE 1!!!!

Letter of Intents are DUE by May 1!!

During the April 17 meeting in Fergus Falls, the bylaws were the topic of discussion. It was voted on and approved to KEEP the letter of intent active for the youth teams (both Youth World and NYATT Congress teams).
The deadline for the youth world letter of intent is May 1 (must be post marked). Forms are available online.
Contact Lana 218-530-0159 with questions.

Youth Promote MyQHA at RHRA Open Show

April 4 was a fun day at the Red Horse Ranch Arena in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. A handful of MyQHA youth attended the show to give away sweatshirts and coloring books as prizes. Thank you to Megan and Tammy Eckstein, Lisa Mandelke, K'Lee Sherbrooke, Sarah Lindblom