The AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program (YHD) showcases the stock being bred and raised by AQHA Ranching Heritage members by matching donated weanlings with AQHYA members. Youth in this program are engaged in the horse industry at a fundamental level that is both fun and educational.
Participating Ranching Heritage breeders donate young horses for Young Horse Development participants to raise and train. Young horsemen and women learn responsibility and goal-setting, important components of horse ownership - and life skills that can follow them for years to come. Encouraged by good fun, as well as key education in the horse industry, youth learn to raise and train their weanlings.
About the Young Horse Development Program
Developing Horsemanship Skills
Through the Young Horse Development program, AQHYA members 13 years and older receive a hands-on horse training opportunity focusing on the fundamentals of horsemanship. The program is not only an excellent educational experience, it is also a lot of fun! Prizes and scholarships are at stake. Participants can showcase the skills and knowledge they have acquired for chances to win scholarships and awards.
Prioritizing Equine Wellness
Throughout the program, participants further their knowledge in horse health by prioritizing equine wellness. Participants are encouraged to help ensure their horse’s health by working closely with a veterinarian outlining key aspects of horse health care to help build a solid foundation of equine wellness for both the horses and youth members. To help the weanlings excel in both health and performance, participants can record veterinary wellness exam details, including core and risk-based vaccinations.
Program Details and Deadlines
The priority application deadline for the 2026 program will be August 15, 2025, and the late application deadline will be October 1, 2025. Apply by the priority deadline for the best chance of admission into the program and the most likely match with a horse closest to your home. Participants may be selected and matched with horses any time after August 15, with the majority being selected and matched with horses October through December 2025.
Youth can participate in the Young Horse Development Program with a donated foal or purchasing a Ranching Heritage bred foal from a recognized AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder.
Program Application and Record Book
To assist with gathering application materials and preparing answers, view the program application preview here.
To learn more about the application process and program, view the Young Horse Development Frequently Asked Questions resource.
To learn more about program requirements and guidelines, please view the 2025 YHD Program Record Book.
To change a youth participants life fill out the Ranching Heritage Breeder Donation Form online or download a copy here.
2025 Scholarship Winners
In first place, earning a $2,000 scholarship and custom belt buckle from Montana Silversmiths is Jessi Petrin of Weatherford, Texas, with her filly, DC Cowgirls R Shady. DC Cowgirls R Shady is a 2024 grullo filly by Deeper Shade Of Blu and out of Cowgirls Getha Blues by Huerfano River Blue. The filly was bred and donated by Durrett Cattle Co. of Wildorado, Texas.
Second place goes to Rowan Myers of Anacortes, Washington. She receives a $1,500 scholarship and a Justin Boots gift certificate. Myers worked with KT Skip Into Cowtown, a 2024 chestnut colt by KT Hottimein Cowtown and out of Miss Hollowpoint by Young Gun. KT Skip Into Cowtown was bred and donated by the KT Ranch of Connell, Washington.
Addison Saterbak of St. Paul, Minnesota, was third with her filly, SQH Sakpa Ruby. The 2024 sorrel filly is by Sampsons Boy Six and out of Squaw Adrift by Tailorwood. The filly was bred and donated by Schofield Quarter Horses of Philip, South Dakota. Saterbak receives a $1,000 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler product gift certificate.
Fourth place goes to Robert Culwell of Louisville, Mississippi. He receives a $500 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler product gift certificate. Culwell worked with Brassy Big Sky, a 2024 red dun filly by Noble Colonel and out of Justa Big Sky Dun It by Big Sky Dun It. The filly was bred and donated by the Waters Ranch of Utopia, Texas.
In 2025, 31 youth participated in the Young Horse Development Program. The program was highly competitive, and the excellence achieved by participants was impressive. In addition to recognizing the four scholarship winners, AQHYA would like to acknowledge youth placing fifth through tenth in the program. These individuals will be awarded a rosette from AQHYA.
5. Avery Jacobs of Valdosta, Georgia with SF Red Remington bred by Daniel Gardner of Harpersville, Alabama
6. Piper Hall of Surprise, Arizona with a yearling not yet registered bred by KT Cattle Inc of Amado, Arizona
7. Ellie Dykstra of Pella, Iowa with Boldfrosted Cadillac bred by Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota
8. Savannah Hanson of Pikeville, Tennessee with Nu Metallic 47 bred by The Daube Company of Ardmore, Oklahoma
9. Lily Stanton of Ardmore, Oklahoma with Habanero Rey bred by Bagley Performance Horses of Dimmitt, Texas
10. Ella Stevens of Cocolalla, Idaho with Chica Gun bred by Red Canyon Ranch of Forsyth, Montana
We would like to extend a special thank you to all of the Ranching Heritage Breeders who donated weanlings to the 2025 Program:
Bagley Performance Horses, Bogle Brothers LLC, Box O Quarter Horses, Clark Farms Quarter Horses, Daniel Gardner, Durrett Cattle Co., Flat Creek Ranch, K T Ranch, KT Cattle Co., L C Ranch, Mill Iron S Ranch, O RO Ranch, Open Box Rafter Ranch, Raymond Sutton Ranch, Red Canyon Ranch, Schofield Quarter Horses, Seven L Ranch, Shawcroft Performance Horses, St. Clair Performance Horses, The Daube Company, Waters Ranch, Wetz Stirrup Ranch, and Woodworth Ranch.
2026 Program Participants
The following AQHYA members are participating in the program for 2026:
Abbie Blazzard of Kamas, Utah
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Woodworth Ranch of Alliance, Nebraska
Autumn Sabila of Elora, Ontario
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Clark Farms of Hustontown, Pennsylvan
Charlei Havlik of Swisher, Iowa
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Raymond Sutton Ranch of Gettysburg, South Dakota
Claire Assur of Mine Run, Virginia
Weanling purchased via private treaty with a Ranching Heritage Breeder
Colby Peters of Greenville, Ohio
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Clark Farms of Hustontown, Pennsylvania
Corley Tilson of Covington, Texas
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Nixon Ranch of Nara Visa, New Mexico
Ella Stanton of Ardmore, Oklahoma
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Durrett Cattle Co. of Wildorado, Texas
Grace Spooner of Decatur, Texas
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Waters Ranch of Utopia, Texas
Gretchen Wynthein of Fishtail, Montana
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Brackett Livestock Inc. of Rogerson, Idaho
Harley Jo Jones of Romance, Arkansas
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Nixon Ranch of Nara Visa, New Mexico
Jessica Elings of Lewistown, Montana
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Schofield Quarter Horses of Philip, South Dakota
Josie Zimmer of Clatskanie, Oregon
Ranching Heritage Breeder: KT Ranch of Connell, Washington
Kamryn Perkins of Prescott Valley, Arizona
Ranching Heritage Breeder: O RO Ranch of Prescott, Arizona
Lacey Knight of Mesilla Park, New Mexico
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Hal Bogle Estate of Dexter, New Mexico
Liesel Aschermann of Arvada, Colorado
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Schofield Quarter Horses of Philip, South Dakota
Madison Weber of Vail, Arizona
Ranching Heritage Breeder: KT Cattle Inc. of Amado, Arizona
Maybree Giles of Friendsville, Tennessee
Ranching Heritage Breeder: St. Clair Performance Horses of Kahoka, Missouri
Megan Griffith of Waverly, Alabama
Ranching Heritage Breeder: L C Ranch of Crockett, Texas
Millie Hansen of Salt Lake City, Utah
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Mill Iron S Ranch of Kyle, South Dakota
Nicholle Harrell of West Haven, Utah
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Wetz Stirrup Ranch of Vale, South Dakota
Olivia McNall of Tucson, Arizona
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Shawcroft Performance Horses of La Jara, Colorado
Reese Stone of Westerose, Alberta, Canada
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Weaver Quarter Horses of Big Sandy, Montana
Roper Clark of Irmo, South Carolina
Weanling purchased via private treaty with a Ranching Heritage Breeder
Sydney Kleine of Faucett, Missouri
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota
Trent Boegner of Stephenville, Texas
Ranching Heritage Breeder: L C Ranch of Crockett, Texas
Willow Cummings of Foothills County, Alberta
Ranching Heritage Breeder: KT Ranch of Connell, Washington
Wyatt Jensen-Brown of Payson, Utah
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota
Zoe Winsor of Moundridge, Kansas
Ranching Heritage Breeder: Open Box Rafter Ranch of Faith, South Dakota