AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—OCTOBER 11, 2017—This week the American Quarter Horse Association will host five American Quarter Horse Youth Association members during the National Youth Racing Experience at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, during the Bank of America Challenge Championships.

"To apply, youth members were required to complete an application and online skillathon contest," said Jacy Hammer, AQHA manager of youth development and AQHYA. "During the trip, participants will go through a new interview round where they will be asked to share their knowledge and passion for racing. The National Racing Experience provides a well-rounded educational experience for AQHYA members."

Those selected for the national program receive an all-expense-paid trip to get first-hand experience in the racing industry. They will be matched with professional racehorse trainers to allow them to experience daily life in a racehorse barn. In the afternoons, the youth will attend informational sessions on various aspects of the racing industry, from jobs such as the stewards and announcer, to the starting gate, jockeys room, test barn, as well as attending the AQHA Racing Committee meeting.

The 2017 youth participants:

• Claire Baudler of Clive, Iowa
• Claire Lee of McAllen, Texas
• Kennedy Stanek of Lino Lakes, Minnesota
• Kimberlee Standeford of Atlanta, Indiana
• Ricardo Canales of Phoenix

These youth will gain not only priceless education but also will be competing for $6,000 in scholarships. The scholarship winners will be announced Saturday night at the conclusion of the National Youth Racing Experience.

Interested youth can visit aqha.com/youth to locate a regional racing experience. To be a part of next year’s National Youth Racing Experience, stay tuned to aqha.com/youth for the application. For the latest in American Quarter Horse racing news, visit www.aqharacing.com.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.