August 1–20, 2025
Show us your view from behind the camera! The AHYA Photo Contest is open to all AHA youth members. Submit up to 4 original photos—one for each season—featuring Arabian, Half-Arabian, or Anglo-Arabian horses. Winning photos will be selected by age group and season, and featured in the printed 2026 AHYA Calendar to help support youth programs.
Photos can include horses and people, and should be landscape orientation if possible. Youth must be the photographer, and a photo release is required if minors are pictured. Entries must be submitted through our online form between August 1–20.
Winners will be announced in September, with calendars available for pre-sale in October.
Calling all Youth members! Put your horsemanship to the test in the In-Hand Challenge. An exciting opportunity to demonstrate your groundwork skills with your horse. Open to current AHA Youth members in three age groups (10 and under, 11–14 and 15–19), participants will complete a series of required tasks, record a video under 5 minutes, and submit it by May 19th.
10 & Under Challenge Tasks Include:
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Correct leading
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Show 5 grooming tools and tell their purpose
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Show how to use your grooming tools
- Freestyle time to show off your teamwork
10& Under Judging Criteria (100 points total):
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Correct leading - 25 pts
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Show 5 grooming tools and tell us how to use them - 25pts
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Show how to use your grooming tools - 25pts
- Freestyle time to show off your teamwork - 25pts
11 & Over Challenge Tasks Include:
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Back up a straight line
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Pick up all 4 feet
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Tack up (including bridle)
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Catch your horse in a large area
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Freestyle time to show off your teamwork
Judging Criteria (100 points total):
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Backing – 15 pts
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Picking up feet – 15 pts
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Tacking up – 15 pts
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Catching in large area – 15 pts
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Freestyle – 10 pts
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Horse’s overall skills – 10 pts
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Handler’s horsemanship – 20 pts
Get creative, show your bond, and prove your skills—on the ground!
Results
10 & Under
- Champion - Logan Grinton
11-14
- Champion - Victoria Baker
15-18
- Champion - CayliJo Giard
- Reserve Champion - Ruth Cranbourne
- Top 5 - Iraina Swift
- Top 5 - Bethany Becker
Share your creative touch in our coloring contest!
- Must be an AHYA member to participate.
- All entries must be submitted by end of day March 17th.
- Submissions will be judged on quality and creativity of your coloring.
- Awards will be handed out to the winner of each division: 10 and Under, 11-14, 15-18.
See how well you know your equine facts. Must be a current AHA member to compete and awards will be provided to champion and reserve champion in each division.
This will be available as you have time to take the tests but must be completed in one sitting. There is no time limit for the contest. Results will be emailed to you after the conclusion of the contest.
Divisions:
- 10 & Under - 10 multiple choice questions, 1 station, 1 judging class
- 11-14 - 20 multiple choice questions, 2 stations, 1 judging class
- 15-18 - 30 multiple choice, 2 stations, 2 judging classes
- 19 & Over - 40 multiple choice, 2 stations, 2 judging classes
Writing Prompt Contest
During the Month of January we will be having a writting prompt challenge. Must be an AHYA member to participate and all entries must be submitted by end of day January 20th. Submissions will be judged on quality of writing and creativity of your story. Awards will be handed out to the winner of each division: 10 and Under, 11-14, 15-18.
Email youth@arabianhorses.org with any questions
If you’ve never encountered an Arabian horse up close, start your adventure by visiting a Discovery Farm. This unique program offers you the opportunity to explore Arabian horses at farms where knowledgeable owners are delighted to introduce you to their horses and answer questions in a relaxed, no-pressure, non-sales atmosphere. You’ll learn all about the breed characteristics, and gain first hand knowledge of what makes this breed truly special. There are hundreds of Discovery Farms across the country and you can easily locate several near you.
- Other items that can be mailed to you include:
- Breed Ideal Flyer
- Color and Marking Guide
- Disciplines Descriptions Flyer
- Previous Issues of Arabian Horse Life
- Breed Brochure
For mailing requests and cost information please email youth@arabianhorses.org
