What is the AQHA Youth World Cup?

A major initiative of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA) is to co-ordinate and field a team to represent Canada at biennial (every two year) competitions of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Cup. These events are held at various locations around the world.

Each host country provides a pool of horses of various ability levels and the teams draw to determine the horses to be ridden. Two to three members of each country's team compete in Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Showmanship, Trail, Reining and Cutting classes. Funding for travel expenses for Team Canada is cost-shared by AQHA/CQHA, provincial/regional Quarter Horse Associations, corporate and/or individual sponsors, and team members’ families.

Each participating country may select up to five youth team competing riders, two alternate riders and three non-competing youth to represent their country. Canada has entered a team for every competition since 1986.

How is Team Canada Chosen?

Beginning in the year prior to the event (in the odd numbered years) The CQHA's Youth World Cup Committee solicits applications for positions on Team Canada. The positions are one Team Coach, and one Team Manage,r (both volunteers) and up to ten youth team members, five of whom will be designated as riders, two as alternate riders and three leadership members.

Once Team Canada's Coach and Manager have been appointed, they receive the team members' applications, review the materials submitted, and interview the candidates. Following this process, the Coach and Manager recommend a slate of up to ten youth team members to the CQHA's Youth World Cup Committee, which reviews and approves their selections. Youth team members are appointed and they begin the process of fund raising to cover their travel and competition costs and coming together as a competitive teem to compete in the following year (the even numbered years).

Click here for more Team Canada information

CQHA announces 2004 AQHA Youth World Cup Results
July 31, 2004 [read more]

CQHA announces 2006 AQHA Youth World Cup Results
July 31, 2006 [read more]

CQHA announces 2008 AQHA Youth World Cup Results
July 31, 2008 [read more]

CQHA announces 2010 AQHA Youth World Cup Results
July 31, 2010 [read more]