Youth Nationals mix, the opening day proved to be an excellent foundation for the 2014 Youth Nationals.
air with joy over their wins, the success and pride of Youth Nationals was felt in every ribbon, trophy, and smiling face.
The annual Youth Nationals Exhibitor Welcome Party, with free food and entertainment, was sponsored by the Albuquerque CVB and AHYA Board of Directors and was open to all in the Youth Hall. The famed mechanical bull returned for the occasion, challenging a long line of kids to test their riding skills.
In addition to a recounting of all of these events and parties, the 2014 Youth Nationals deserves a report from a more personal place. In the eyes and stories of various trainers, exhibitors, parents, judges, and show commissioners, this show is more than a fun event—it is a journey. It’s time for their perspective.
The Parade of Regions, which took place on Sunday night, allowed the regions from all over the U.S. and Canada to celebrate their presence in Albuquerque and their creativity within the theme of “Spotlight on the Stars.” Each region showed off their originality and ability to decorate a golf cart in a ridiculous way. The range spanned from Despicable Me to video cameras, to a gigantic shark, to Titanic. Regardless of theme, the spirit of fun and bonding was made apparent in this unique and long-standing event. The week also featured the Stall Decorating Contest, the Stick Horse Contest, the Arabian Horse Hippology Contest, the Flying Pigs Fundraiser, sporadic pink flamingo flocks, and T.A.I.L. tours. The second Thursday of the show offered a big part of the show—the Dog Costume Contest followed by the Dog Races. In the costume contest, loving owners showed off their dog’s style by dressing them up in just about anything. This was followed up with some of the more athletic pups speeding their way across the arena in the annual dog race. On Friday, at the end of the afternoon session, the annual AHT youth yearbook group photo and ice cream social was held. Proud exhibitors of the show gathered up their hard-earned roses and ribbons and ventured to Tingley Coliseum’s center ring for a group photo. Jumping in the
Volume 45, No. 5 | 253AAA