Plenty planned for youth members in 2023

Happy New Year everybody. I don’t know about you, but I am so excited to see what 2023 has in store for us. As we all slowly bring ourselves out of hibernation and begin preparing for the upcoming show season, I’d love to share some of what the Youth Board has been up to. If you haven't already seen it on the PHBA-Youth Facebook page, we have started a Youth Spotlight series. The goal being to recognize the amazing kids that show in our organization and allow people to get to know them a little more. I encourage everyone to check it out and see if you can learn something you maybe didn’t know about our youth exhibitors. If you are a PHBA-Y member and would like to be part of the series and haven’t heard from us, please reach out and let us know! You can message me on Facebook or my email is listed on the PHBA website.

Thanks to two generous sponsors, our Leadline class at the PHBA World Show will be offered at a reduced price once again this year. It is always so fun to watch this class and cheer for the kids. Please pass the word and invite anyone you think might be interested. The future of our organization starts with these youngsters.

I am so excited to announce that PHBA has been accepted into the Midwest Horse Fair. This is the biggest all-breed equestrian event in the nation and is an amazing opportunity to advertise and gain potential sponsors and vendors. This will be my first year going and I hope to represent in the Grand March. We will also be putting together a demonstration to further showcase our amazing association and everything it has to offer.

This spring will be the PHBA National Convention. It’s held in Tulsa March 8-11. During convention there’s an awards ceremony for the Open and Amateur’s to receive year end awards from the prior year. The youth have always had to wait until July to receive their awards at the Palomino Youth World Show. Well, this year for the first time, the youth will be receiving their awards alongside the Open and Amateurs at the National Convention in March. We are so excited about this. Not only will it bring more unity and recognition but we get our awards several months sooner. Hope to see many of you there…it’s always a great time and we have fun activities planned for the youth.

Check out the PHBA website and/or the PHBA-Y Facebook page closer to time for more details.