AzQHA Youth Association
AzQHA welcomes all youth members passionate about horses to join! AzQHA is proud to have a long history of supporting our Youth association. We are proud to sponsor the stalls and entries of the AzQHA Youth World Show team, in addition to offering multiple scholarship opportunities throughout the year for our Youth members.
Active Youth Membership Requirements:
- Submit an AzQHA Youth Membership Application by April 30 of the current year.
- Attend a minimum of 1 youth meeting (to be held at AzQHA approved events)
- Complete 8 Hours of Volunteer work (minimum of 4 hour at an AzQHA event)
- Fundraise a minimum of $200 through AzQHA Youth Fundraisers
YOUTH NEWS
Hello Everyone,
The 2026 AQHYA World Championship Show is just around the corner! Attached you will find the Arizona stall assignment chart.
Link to stall Chart: https://docs.google.com/
Please review your stall assignments carefully prior to your arrival in Oklahoma City. The layout has been carefully organized to accommodate exhibitor requests while keeping the Arizona youth exhibitors grouped together as efficiently as possible.
Please use the stalls as assigned. If you have questions or believe there is an issue with your assignment, please contact me prior to the show. Please do not rearrange or exchange stalls without prior approval, as changes may affect multiple exhibitors.
To help keep everyone informed during the week, please join our Arizona Youth World GroupMe:
https://groupme.com/join_
Parade of Teams – Wednesday, August 5
All Arizona Youth World exhibitors are expected to participate in the Parade of Teams on Wednesday, August 5, as we proudly represent Arizona at the AQHYA World Championship Show.
For active AzQHYA members and AZQHA-sponsored attendees, participation in the Parade of Teams is a requirement of receiving AZQHA sponsorship. Members who do not participate, unless excused in advance by the Youth Advisor due to an approved scheduling conflict or extenuating circumstance, will be required to reimburse AZQHA for all sponsored show entry fees and stall costs.
Additional information regarding meeting time, attire, and location will be shared closer to the event.
AQHA has released several important resources that I encourage everyone to review before arriving:
Show Patterns
2026 AQHYA World Championship Show Patterns:
https://www.aqha.com/-/aqhya-
Official AQHA Stall Charts
https://docs.google.com/
Stall Mat Rentals
https://www.stallmatrentals.
Feed & Bedding Orders
Contest Participants
Youth members participating in AQHYA contests (Judging, Public Speaking, Quiz Bowl, Art, Photography, etc.) should review the contest schedules, rules, and requirements in advance. Contest participants are responsible for knowing their individual schedules, required materials, and reporting to their events on time.
Contest Information:
https://www.aqha.com/aqhya-
Additional Youth World Resources:
https://www.aqha.com/
First-Time Exhibitors
If this is your first AQHYA World Show, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions not answered in this email before or during the show. I am happy to help answer questions and point you in the right direction.
I will be onsite July 29 through August 8 and available to answer questions, assist members, and advocate on behalf of Arizona youth exhibitors throughout the show.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions that aren’t answered in this email, either before or during the show. I am happy to answer questions and point you in the right direction.
I look forward to seeing everyone in Oklahoma City. Safe travels, and best of luck as you make your final preparations for the show.
Kindly,
Reilly Dhaliwal
AzQHA Youth Advisor
303-931-4486
Please ensure the following are completed and logged:
Submit your forms here:
Fundraising: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ArizonaQuarterHorse/_2026FundraisingForm
Volunteer Hours: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ArizonaQuarterHorse/_2026VolunteerForm
Parent Youth Agreement: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ArizonaQuarterHorse/_2526ParentYouthAgreement
Youth World Show Declaration (Due April 30th)
__________
NEW THIS YEAR!!
All forms can now be submitted online, and will be added to the Youth Page of the AzQHA website soon!
Please remember to submit completed volunteer and fundraising activities using the online forms!
Important Membership Reminders
Please ensure the following items are completed for the 2025–2026 activity year:
Youth/Parent Agreement: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ArizonaQuarterHorse/_2526ParentYouthAgreement
AzQHA Membership Renewal:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/ArizonaQuarterHorse/_2026MembershipForm
Join our group message to stay up to date on youth activities: https://groupme.com/join_group/109385150/BPQhqeCF
HAVE YOU EVER DREAMED OF SHOWING AT THE AQHA YOUTH WORLD SHOW?
Thought you couldn’t afford it? Not so! The Arizona Quarter Horse Association pays for all participating Arizona Quarter Horse Youth members’ stalls and entries each year at the World show. Call AzQHYA Youth advisor Reilly Dhaliwal 623-869-8037 for details.
NEED MONEY FOR COLLEGE?
Each year, the Arizona Quarter Horse Association offers multiple scholarships to its Youth members. Youth members can start earning money at any age which will be held in an account and paid to the college of the youth’s choosing.
Learn more about the Scholarship Programs or contact Reilly Dhaliwal at 623-869-8037
Other Upcoming AQHA Youth Dates and Deadlines
- December 31, 2025 – Rule Change Proposal Deadline
- December 31, 2025 – AQHLead Application Deadline
- January 15, 2026 – AQHA Emerging Leader Nomination Deadline
- January 15, 2026 – American Quarter Horse Foundation Scholarship Deadline
- March 13–16, 2026 – AQHA Annual Convention (Las Vegas, NV)
- July 8–10, 2026 – Youth Excellence Seminar (Amarillo, TX)
AzQHYA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025/2026
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President: Ayana McKnight
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Vice President: Jack Kimes
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Secretary: Sarah Gordon
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Treasurer: Katherine Kimes
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Reporter: Bentley Ann Johnson
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14–18 Representative: Taylor Mack
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13 & Under Representative: Kendall Dawson
Directors At Large
Kayla Dawson
Kamryn Perkins
Brylee Leach (Past President 2023-2025)
Youth President Message
President – Ayana McKnight
Hello! My name is Ayana McKnight and I am honored to serve as this year’s AzQHYA President. My goals for this year is to help engage youth performance numbers at shows and engage all of Region 7 including Hawaii. I am excited for this year and looking forward to new exciting changes!