Youth

Name: Austin Iatonna Age: 14 Where do you live and with who? I live in Sunbury with my dad, Jeff and my mom, Kim. How did you get involved in horses? I got involved with horses one summer when I was six years old because I was bored and wanted to try something new and fell in love instantly. What discipline(s)/class(es) do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)? I show in Horsemanship and Trail right now but I also showed in the Western Pleasure with my old horse. I love the pattern classes because you always have something to think about and the western pleasure is nice because you have a rubric on how your horse is supposed to look. What would be impossible for you to give up? (something that's not horse

Name: Bella Donofrio Age: 13 Where do you live and with who? I live in Upper Arlington, Ohio. I live with my parents, Jenn and Mark. I also have one brother, his name is Griffin. How did you get involved in horses? I got involved with horses thanks to my mom. She showed when she was little. My grandparents had her show horse, Teddy. He was 30 but my cousins and I all shared him and I just knew I loved it. What discipline(s)/class(es) do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)? I show in the 13 & under all around. I show the trail, western riding, showmanship, hunter under saddle, pleasure, horsemanship and equitation. I chose to do these classes because I love to ride all disciplines. We have added

Name: Reed Alan Kolb Age: 15 Where do you live and with who? I live in Lebanon, Ohio with my three brothers, sister, and my Mom and Dad. How did you get involved in horses? I started in 4-H and really enjoyed showing horses. My sister was showing AQHA and once she stopped, I got into AQHA and eventually took her old show horse. What discipline(s)/class(es) do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)? I show Western Riding, Horsemanship, and Trail. I wanted to show western classes, so my sister recommended to me classes that she knew I would like and my horse would be successful in. What would be impossible for you to give up? (something that's not horse related) Something I can’t give up other than horses

The Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association held their Annual Youth Meeting on February 4, 2017 at the Crowne Plaza in Columbus.  A 2017 Officer and Director Meeting started at 11:00am with the Youth Meeting for all youth at 12:00pm.  There were 55 youth in attendance including 8 new members. In addition to the regular business of the association, 2016 President, Anna Ritzi gave a recap of the activities for 2016 and read a list of Ohio youth listed as AQHYA Top 20 Show Leaders in the Nation in Level 3, Level 2, Level 1, Rookie, and Justin Intermediate..  Tammy Gagliardo did an educational recap of the 2016 youth budget and youth treasury. During the meeting, the youth enjoyed pizza, cookies, and cupcakes. Following

Olivia Tordoff is a candidate for 2018-2019 AQHYA Region 4 National Director and Officer.

Caleb Sturgeon is a candidate for 2018-2019 AQHYA Region 4 National Director and Officer.

Name: Emma Gore Age: 10 Where do you live and with who? I live in Croton Ohio with my parents Jeff and Tera Gore on our family farm, Irongate Equestrian Center. How did you get involved in horses? I started showing ponies at the Fredericktown fun show when I was 3 years old. I showed in my first AQHA show when I was four What discipline(s)/class(es) do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)? I show in the all around events. Horsemanship is my favorite . I love all the events and enjoy learning different patterns. What would be impossible for you to give up? (something that's not horse related) Besides showing horses, I really enjoy raising and showing cattle. I help my dad with the day to day operations

Name: Brianna Merklin Age: 16 Where do you live and with who? I live in Lewis Center, Ohio. I live with my mom, dad, and three brothers. How did you get involved in horses? My mom introduced me to horses. I began lessons in November 2014 with Tammy Rath where I continue to ride today. What discipline(s)/class(es) do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)? I show in Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, and Trail. I am currently learning Showmanship. What would be possible for you to give up? (something that is not horse related) I would probably never be able to give up track because I love running. Tell us something that no one knows about you. I love to run the 100 meter dash in track. I made the varsity

Name: Courtney Hilty Where do you live and with who? I live in Huber Heights, Ohio and I live with my sister Natalie and my parents, Tim and Gretchen Hilty. Walnut Hills Farm is also the home of our three dogs Bridget, Bandit, and KateSpade as well as our six horses and six chickens. How did you get involved in horses? I became involved with horses when I was eight years old. We took lessons at the Sullenberger farm in Piqua, Ohio. We started in 4-H at the Miami county fair and later became AQHA members in 2014. Soon after we joined IEA and eventually YEDA. We also joined a rodeo drill team called Midwest Express that later became Silver Lining Drill Team. We now show at the Clark County fair and show with Piper Performance Horses.

Name: Millie Landon Age: 16 Where do you live and with who? I just moved to Pilot Point, Texas where I live with my mom, Tara, and my stepdad, Doug. How did you get involved in horses? My mother used to train horses, so I have grown up in AQHA since I was born. What discipline(s)/class(es) do you show in and why did you choose that discipline or class(es)? I show in the horsemanship, western pleasure, showmanship, and halter.  I have shown horses that had done the pleasure and had been started in horsemanship and showing those classes makes me feel confident walking into the show pen. What would be possible for you to give up? (something that is not horse related) Something that I could never give up is my family because they