A message and an invitation from Region XII Youth Co-Coordinators:  

Recently Region XII Director CA Butler requested that the two of us step up to the plate and take on the task of organizing the youth of our region to function as a youth group that is second to none! Region XII is a huge region and encompasses more states than any region in the US. The youth within Region XII come from all walks of life! For some their passion is showing their horse at the local, class A, regional and even national levels; for some their passion is competing in endurance or trail riding events; for others, their passion is just playing and loving their wonderful Arabian horses. Some youth members may not yet own an Arabian horse but would love being at events where they can learn about the horse and breathe the same air that horses breathe! Most importantly, our youth in Region XII are all so very talented! Each and every youth member has the potential to take on roles of leadership in our industry in the decades to come with a little effort and dedicated hard work. AHA and Region XII provide many opportunities to help our youth grow, mature and to succeed in any profession that they many choose and these opportunities go hand in hand with academic achievement. The challenge that such a large region faces is providing equal opportunities for the youth across all clubs in the region. Ideally, EACH club within Region XII will have an identified adult to take on the role of mentor and youth coordinator. These individuals will rally young AHA members, locally and assist them with the process of electing youth club officers, planning their club activities including youth fund raising events and providing opportunities for them to learn about various facets of horsemanship and horse science. Though many clubs have this task well in hand, some do not. As Region XII youth co-coordinators, we encourage you to take on this task in your local clubs and would be happy to help you in any way we can. Just email either one of us or give us a call. Contact details are given at the end of this letter. AHA is also very supportive of your club’s effort and has compile useful packets of information to help you as you assist the youth of your local club with organization including elections and youth delegate nomination.

The Region XII Youth Group met formally in Perry GA during the Region XII show in May. Region XII Youth organized a fun and productive meeting which included a pizza and ice cream party. As Region XII Youth President, Katelyn Edwards detailed in her letter, we were honored with a presentation by Gene Reichardt who recently made his home in Region XII! An important goal for Region XII is to have at two judging teams consisting of 4-5 individuals represent us in the AHA Youth Horse Judging competition to be held at US Nationals in October 2007. Gene provided a wonderful overview of the lifelong benefits of participating on such judging teams. We also identified individuals from several states that are willing to serve as mentors and horse judging coaches for the youth in their areas this year and in the years to come. We will all work together as a team to help Region XII Youth develop expertise in judging classes of Arabian horses and giving oral reasons for their placings to a panel of judges at US Nationals. AHA recognizes high scoring teams and individuals with valuable scholarships and other awards during an exciting ceremony that occurs in center ring prior to the final evening performance in Albuquerque.

Historically the Region XII Youth Jamboree is also the venue where teams and individuals can practice judging and compete for the privilege of serving on the Region XII judging team at US Nationals in October. Unfortunately, because of a range of conflicts with Youth Nationals in 2007, the formal judging competition will not be held in 2007, however please plan to meet Youth Co-Coordinator and Judging Team coach Dr. Marijo Kent-First at the “Horse Judging Seminar” at 3:30 on Thursday in Conyers. We will hand out packets and guidelines for judging and discuss with you plans for clinics to be held later this summer so that you can practice for the competition in October and develop skills that will serve you as you all progress through high school and head to college. Most importantly, we would like to identify youth from Region XII that have the interest and enthusiasm to participate on one of the two teams that we will take to US Nationals in Albuerqerque in the Fall.

For those of you that plan to attend Youth Nationals in Albuerqerque, please contact one of us (Marijo Kent-First (608-215-5863) or Lynn Edwards (407-484-7489) when you arrive at the show grounds in Albuerqerque. Alternatively you can reach Katelyn Edwards - Region XII Youth President (407-719-3962) or Patrick First - Region XII Youth Vice President (608-215-3264). We will meet there and will attend many events as a group --- no doubt the most enthusiastic and fun loving group at Youth Nationals!

If you have questions, please email or phone us! We would love to hear from you! We’ll plan to see some of you all in Conyers and the rest of you in Albuerqerque!

Sincerely,

Region XII Youth Co-Coordinators
Lyn Edwards and Marijo Kent-First

Contact details:

Ms. Lyn Edwards
11375 Willow Gardens Dr.
Windemere , FL 34786
Phone: 407-876-7206
Email: lyn_edwards@wgresorts.com

Dr. Marijo Kent-First
PO Box 1425
Starkville , MS 39760
Phone: 608-215-5863
Email: mk247@msstate.edu