YOUTH WORLD CUP 2018
College Station, Texas
28 June – 8 July 2018
BRIEFING DOCUMENT
INTRODUCTION
The American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup is an International youth event, held every two years, which is a showcase of
superior horsemanship, leadership, and camaraderie among equine enthusiasts from many nations. The members chosen for
Team Australia will represent Australia not only in horsemanship but also in International goodwill. The Youth World Cup gives
our youth a unique opportunity to learn in a “hands on” setting with other international Quarter Horse enthusiasts.
It is important to understand that all riding team members, in the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup, will compete on
horses donated in the host country, and that not all horses will be highly qualified or trained show horses.
Teams will draw for horses to be ridden, and every horse drawn by a team must be exhibited by a member of that team. No
coach, trainer or adult will be allowed to ride the horses at any time during the event: All training and preparation of the horses
will be done entirely by the youth team members.
Riding team members will participate in clinics conducted by Professional Clinicians and finish the Youth World Cup experience
by competing in an International standard show.
Determination as to which events, and which horses are used for each riding team member will be the decision of the Coach,
and his/her decision will be final.
Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, both with peers and adults, and be respectful
and courteous at all times.
YOUTH WORLD CUP TEAM (RIDERS)
Five (5) Youth applicants will be selected as “Riding members” of Team Australia. Additionally, one youth applicant will be
selected as a reserve member of the team, who will be part of the Leadership team, and the reserve team member will
accompany the Riding team members to YWC, and be expected to assist Team Australia in all areas of support in equine care
(grooming, feeding, tacking horses etc) whilst in attendance at the Youth World Cup 2018.
The Reserve member will also be required to attend all Leadership activities held during the Youth World Cup 2018 event.
At no time will the Reserve team member ride unless there is illness or injury preventing a riding team member participating, or
in the event of any disciplinary action which removes a riding team member from riding duties.
The determination as to which events, and which horses are used for each riding member will be the decision of the Coach and
his/her decision will be final.
YOUTH WORLD CUP TEAM (LEADERSHIP)
There is an option within the team to include Leadership members. Outgoing, courteous and friendly applicants for the
Leadership position are an essential part of the Team. The Youth World Cup organises several activities through the week for
the non riders, and they are also welcome to fence sit on the clinics that are a part of the Youth World Cup week. As part of the
Leadership team, there are opportunities to spend quality time with all the international competitors. The Leadership position
also gives the opportunity for Youth, who might wish to aspire for the next youth world cup team, the ability to learn from the
experience to add to their skills for their future aspirations.
A maximum of four (4) applicants will be selected to be part of the Leadership Team who will accompany the competing Team
members to the Youth World Cup, and will be expected to assist Team Australia in all areas of support in equine car (grooming,
feeding, tacking horses, cleaning stalls etc) whilst in attendance at YWC 2018.
At no time will Leadership Team Members ride.
NB: PLEASE BE SURE AND INDICATE ON THE APPLICATION FORM IF YOU WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE
CONSIDERED FOR A LEADERSHIP POSITION.
SPONSORSHIP
As with any major undertaking, such as the Youth World Cup 2018, funding will be a significant issue. The AQHA has begun its
sponsorship activities in the hope of securing corporate sponsorship for Team Australia 2018. Should corporate sponsorship be
secured early in the campaign, all applicants and ultimately, successful Team members will be required to promote any and all
corporate sponsors as part of their activities.
Each team member will be required to wear team clothing as directed by the Manger for all events. Parent/Guardians that are
able to assist in introducing corporate sponsorship to cover the costs of the team are encouraged to contact AQHA, the Team
Manager or the Youth Convenor.
QUALIFYING CRITERIA for RIDER MEMBERS and LEADERSHIP MEMBERS
1. RIDER APPLICANTS for the Youth World Cup must be aged 15 years and not older than 18 years as at June 28, 2018.
2. LEADERSHIP APPLICANTS must be aged 13 years and not older than 18 years as at June 28, 2018.
3. All applicants must be full financial youth members of, and in good standing with, the American Quarter Horse
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Association at the time of application and must keep this membership current at least up until the 31 December 2018.
(Attach copy of AmQHA membership card with application)
4. All applicants must be current financial Youth members of the Australian QHA and have been full financial youth
members in good standing for a period of three (3) consecutive years, at the time of application, with the Australian
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Quarter Horse Association and must keep this membership current at least up until the 31 December 2018. (Attach
copy of AQHA membership card with application)
5. All applicants must hold a current Australian Passport. (Copy of passport details must be in the AQHA office by 1st
st
November 2017 and must be a passport that is valid until at least 31 January 2019 NB: the USA requires your passport
to have at least six (6) months validity
6. Application will only be accepted on the official application form.
7. All Applications must be in the AQHA office with a non refundable application fee of $50 by 28th April 2017.
8. All applicants must attend and compete in Youth classes at the Q17 National Championships, and any other event/
clinic deemed necessary.
9. All applicants must have raised and submitted to the AQHA, a minimum of $500 PRIOR to 1st July 2017. Failure to raise
this $500 by this date will eliminate the Youth for selection.
10. It is compulsory that all successful applicants must have deposited with the AQHA by December 30, 2017, 50% of the
required fund raising amount of $5,000, the balance to be deposited with the AQHA by March 31, 2018. NB: The nonrefundable application fee of $50 will form part of the $5,000 to be raised.
11. FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE ACCEPTED, applicants must fully complete the official application form ensuring that
all requested information is supplied in full.
12. Failure to attend or meet any of the above mentioned criteria could result in the applicant not being considered for
selection.
13. Notification of selection, of successful applicants, will be via email after the August 2017 Board meeting.
14. Applicants will be required to bring their own horse or a borrowed horse to any camp/clinic. Over the duration of the
camp/clinics, applicants will be required to ride horses other than their own and agree to allow their horses to be
ridden by other applicants.
SELECTION PROCESS
A panel of five (5) selectors have been appointed by the Board of Directors/Youth Sub Committee, whose identities will remain
confidential, of which three (3) will be chosen to select the team.
Voting by the selectors will be conducted via email.
The selection panel will present to the Youth Convenor their recommendations for Rider Team Members, a Reserve (who will be
part of the Leadership members) and Leadership Team Members in a sealed envelope to be opened at the next Board meeting.
The Convenor will then present to the Board of Directors the recommendations to be accepted.
The Selectors appointed to determine the team members for both the Rider Team members and Leadership Team Members for
Team Australia 2018 will:
1. Observe applicants leading up to selection of the team where possible, paying close attention to and evaluating their
horsemanship and presentation skills, and in particular their attitude, communication skills and sportsmanship.
2. Observe applicants over the selection period paying close attention to all applicants in relation to, but not limited to:
3.
a)
The demonstration of exemplary standards of communication, attitude, behaviour, ethics, and sportsmanship
skills
b)
The ability to work cooperatively with peers and display leadership qualities in various activities
c)
Demonstrate horsemanship skills that can get the best results from horses of varying abilities and training
levels.
d)
Demonstrate grooming and presentation skills.
Selectors will review the applications of each applicant to establish:
a)
Proven show experience in a variety of AQHA events and preferably on more than one horse;
b)
Proven record of working co-operatively with peers and displaying equestrian/ leadership qualities in various
activities.
4. To complete the selection process, all applicants will be required to demonstrate, under show conditions, their ability to
perform.
a)
Note that the placings and results at shows will not have a major bearing on the team selection process but will
be taken into consideration.
The final stage of the selection process requires all applicants to attend the Youth World Cup Camp from 27-30 July 2017 at the
Australia Equine and Livestock Events Centre in Tamworth, New South Wales. . It will be the responsibility the applicant to pay
for any expenses incurred as a result of the selection camp.
Post selection of the Youth World Cup Riding Team, it is highly recommended that successful applicants attend YWC Training
Camps which will be held from time to time leading up to the competition in June 2018. It will be the responsibility of each team
member to pay for any expenses incurred as a result of these training camps.
FUNDRAISING
ALL FUNDRAISING MUST BE CO-ORDINATED THROUGH THE AQHA
1.
The cost of participation at the Youth World Cup Internationally is very high. All applicants of the Youth World Cup will
be required to fundraise on behalf of the Youth World Cup Team. Any monies raised on behalf of the applicant, by the
applicant, their family, organisations, clubs etc, will be recorded on the Applicants log sheet and lodged with the AQHA
office.
2.
ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OFFICIAL FUNDRAISING AUTHORITY AND DOCUMENTATION BY AQHA
which will include official receipt books and log sheets. This documentation is the only documentation to be used
during the fund raising activities for the Youth World Cup 2018.
3.
The selected Leadership and Rider Team members will be required to raise $5,000 each to complement the AQHA’s
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contribution, and this amount MUST BE raised and deposited with the AQHA office no later than 31 March 2018. The
$500 already raised by the successful applicant will be taken into account as part of the $5,000 required.
4.
The AQHA office must be notified in writing/email or by phone followed by an email, of any planned fund raising
activity prior to the commencement of that fund raising activity.
5.
The dollar figures mentioned above are a minimum amount required to be raised by the successful applicants. All
youth are encouraged to continue fundraising even after they have reached their goal.
6.
It is a mandatory condition on all applicants, successful or otherwise, to forward all monies raised by them, in their fund
raising efforts for Youth World Cup, to the AQHA office as the funds are raised. ALL funds raised are required to be
th
lodged at the AQHA office not later than the close of business on 27 February 2018.
7.
During the mandatory fund raising process, all cheques are to be made in favour of AQHA.
8.
Applicants will also be required to promote the AQHA and their Quarter Horses by way of articles. These articles may
be by way of Affiliate newsletters, local papers, local school newsletters, AQHA news etc (guide lines for this will be
detailed in the information package).
PARENT/ GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT
1. The AQHA is mindful that each and every parent/guardian wishes the best for their child. This has on occasion led to
circumstances where there has been direct parental influence in the management of previous Youth World Cup teams.
This is a situation that cannot and will not be tolerated.
2. From the departure date of the YWC Team, NO parent will have contact with the YWC Team member whilst the Team is
engaged in official YWC activities.
3. Team Australia for Youth World Cup 2018 will meet at a single point of departure which will be determined as the most
cost effective, taking into consideration the selected Team members’ home State.
4. On arrival at the departure point, the Team Manager and Coach will assume responsibility for the Team Members for
the duration of the Youth World Cup trip.
5. Parents planning to be present at the Youth World Cup event, while their child is involved in competing in Youth World
Cup activities, do so as “tourists” and understand and agree that there will be limited time available for any interaction
with their child during the event. The activities that are organised for Youth World Cup Team members ensure a full
program for them while at the event.
In agreeing to allow their child to participate in the Youth World Cup programme, each parent/guardian accepts:
6. He/she agrees that they will not interfere, attempt to influence or deliberately disrupt the planning, execution, or
management of any Youth World Cup related activity; He/she agrees that they make their own travel and
accommodation arrangements and will do so as “tourists”, wholly independent of the team and be self-sufficient.
7. Parents wishing to attend Youth World Cup 2018 are welcome to make their travel arrangements through the AQHA, as
doing so could give them discounted pricing and payment of these travel arrangements through the AQHA must be paid
at a date determined by the AQHA.
8. Parents are to be aware that they are not allowed in the team rooms and that team members have a phone and social
media block from, 7am to 7pm every day while at the YWC. If a team member does not comply with this request then
their electronic devices will be surrendered every day.
DISCIPLINARY
1.
As members of the Australian Quarter Horse Association, Team members are subject to the Rules and Regulations of
the Australian Quarter Horse Association in regard to their behaviour and will be subject to the disciplinary procedures
of the Australian Quarter Horse Association in the event of a breach of these rules.
2.
Should a disciplinary matter arise while the team is travelling, the Team Manager, in consultation with the Team Coach,
will determine any appropriate action or penalty.
3.
Serious disciplinary matters may see the team member removed from the team and sent home at the expense of the
team member’s parents/guardian.
4.
It is an express condition of the acceptance of an application from any applicant for the Youth World Cup 2018 that the
applicant’s parents acknowledge, agree to, and accept the conditions in relation to disciplinary matters.
RULES OF COMPETITION
1.
Youth World Cup will be held under the Rules and Regulations of the AmQHA.
2.
The competition will consist of two “shows”. An exhibitor riding a horse in the first show is not required to compete on
the same horse in the second show.
3.
The following classes will be held both days:
SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER
WESTERN RIDING
WESTERN PLEASURE / RANCH RIDING
TRAIL
WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP
REINING
HUNTER UNDER SADDLE
CUTTING
HUNT SEAT EQUITATION
VERSATILITY CLASS (OPTIONAL)
4.
Three members from each team may compete in Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western
Pleasure, and Western Horsemanship.
5.
Two members from each team may compete in Western Riding, Trail, Cutting, and Versatility (if Versatility is offered).
6.
Combined scores from the two shows will determine the final team standing.
JUDGING OF THE SHOW
7.
One judge per show will be used. Their combined scores will determine the overall placings.
8.
In instances where the class procedures vary between Affiliate, the pattern or procedure used for the class will be used
at the judges’ discretion.
9.
The tie breaker judge will be drawn before the first show for each class. The procedure used to break ties for team
standings will be as follows:
a)
The team with the most first place wins
b) The team with the most second place wins
c)
If the first two procedures do not break the tie, both teams will be declared tied for first place.
EQUIPMENT RULE
10. Rules regarding legal equipment and attire will be as outlined in the AQHA Official Handbook. Any exceptions to the
rulebook must be approved by the Youth World Cup Advisory Committee and show management.
AmQHA RESPONSIBILITIES
11. The International Youth World Cup shall be managed by staff of the American Quarter Horse Association. Any
protests or grievances shall be filed with the persons above, who will then take this to the Youth World Cup Oversight
Committee and their decision shall be final.
12. Competitors, owners, coaches, and all other participants must agree to accept the facility and grounds, including but
not limited to, the arena, stalls, alleyway, where the event is to be conducted on an “as is” basis. They must agree to
be solely responsible for property damage or personal injury caused by third parties or themselves, to the
competitors, owners, coaches, and their property. They must further indemnify, and hold the American Quarter
Horse Association (AQHA) harmless for any and all such liability, whenever and however arising, not caused by the
AQHA’s own negligence or that of AQHA agents, representatives, or employees.
13. The American Quarter Horse Association will secure two approved judges for the event.
FEES FOR COMPETITION
14. The fee charged to AmQHA Affiliates will cover the cost of entry fees, seminars and clinics; housing, food and
transportation while on site for the event.
CONDUCT GOVERNING COMPETITORS
15. Any participant whose action or behaviour is found by management of the event to constitute misconduct shall be
automatically suspended from further participation in the event and forfeit all awards earned.
16. Misconduct means that conduct unbecoming to the dignity of AQHYA and the International Youth World Cup, or
conduct in contradiction of the objectives and purpose of the AQHYA as set forth in Article 1, Section 2 (D) of its
constitution: “To encourage high moral character, sportsmanship, and clean living among all its members.”
CLASS RULES FOR SHOWMANSHIP, HORSEMANSHIP, EQUITATION, WESTERN RIDING, TRAIL, CUTTING, AND REINING
WILL BE OUTLINED IN THE YOUTH ACTIVITIES SECTION OF THE AQHA OFFICIAL RULEBOOK.
CLASS RULES FOR WESTERN PLEASURE AND HUNTER UNDER SADDLE WILL BE OUTLINED IN THE NOVICE YOUTH
SECTION OF THE AQHA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK.