“Jog your horses in; please enter at a jog.”
It’s amazing how a horse show that is so dynamically different from any other show in the United States can have such a familiar sound. Although the 2006 AQHA Youth World Cup will combine many different countries and languages, the main goal is apparent: to have an educational, leadership-based event where youth from different countries have the opportunity to learn more about  Quarter Horses, competition and each other.
 
Although it seems that the language barrier would separate each team into their own group, coaches and interpreters help the teams work together to learn from and help each other. Clinics are offered throughout the event by AQHA Professional Horsemen in various AQHA-approved classes. There are also leadership events throughout the week to help the youth learn how to grow from their differences and work together.
 
The 2006 Youth World Cup will combine 16 youth teams from Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
 
The Youth World Cup originated in 1978 in Victoria, Australia. After holding several western youth shows in the United States and Canada, the American Quarter Horse Association decided the organization and the youth would benefit greatly from a competition down under, according to Cassidy Byerley, Manager of Youth Programs at AQHA. Since 1978, the show has been held every other year and alternating countries.
This year, the leadership-oriented show will be held in Amarillo, Texas, from June 23 through July 2.  
 
The American Quarter Horse Association takes the Youth World Cup very seriously and sets high goals, credentials and guidelines for choosing the individual team members, as well as the judges and horses. Each team consists of four or five youth members and one coach. Team members must be 18 years or younger as of January 1, 2006 and must be a member in good standing of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association at the time of the event.  
 
“I had to request an application, fill it out and have several letters of recommendation sent in to apply to be on the team,” said Trevor Dare, Hilliard, Ohio,a competitor for the 2006 U.S. team.
 
This year’s U.S. team consists of Sharnai Thompson of Las Vegas, Nevada; Jolene Wadds of Ovid, Michigan; Indy Roper of Hobart, Indiana; Sarah Locker of Fayetville, Tennessee; and Trevor Dare of Hilliard, Ohio.
 
“Joe Puhar (a competitor from the 2004 U.S. team) told me about the Youth World Cup,” Dare explained. “He thought it was something that I would really like and that I would be able to do well on the team.”
 
Not only does Dare feel he will do well as a representative on his team, he feels confident in the entire team. “I think we have a great chance. All of us show a lot and have a lot of experience. We also all get along really well, which helps.”
 
Dare is not only involved with AQHA as a representative for the United States, he is also the President of the Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association, as well as one of the 2005 AQHYA Region 4 Directors.
 
The judges for the 2006 Youth World Cup have been chosen as carefully as the team members. They all have the highest credentials within the American Quarter Horse Association and other associations. All the judges also have multiple championships under their belts.
 
According to Byerley, all horses for the Youth World Cup are also donated by AQHA Professional Horsemen from across the country. Professionals from all over have graciously donated their horses for the show so that the youth have an equal opportunity to compete against each other on the highest caliber of horse possible.
Youth members will compete on these quality horses in 10 different classes over a two-day show. This horse show is the culmination in an event that showcases equestrian skills with a friendly, yet competitive, atmosphere.
 
The most recent International Youth World Cup was held in Dubbo, Australia in 2004. The U.S. team conquered the competition, with wins in Showmanship, Hunt Seat Equitation (both days) and Hunter Under Saddle.
 
The pressure is on for the US team this year. The other 15 teams will be out to prevent the home team from garnering another win. Thompson, Wadds, Roper, Locker and Dare are all preparing to be at the top of their game to prove their skills.