ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — California youth made their leadership known at the 2013 Arabian Horse Association Youth Nationals Championship Show, held July 20-27 at the Expo New Mexico.

Golden State exhibitors returned home with 11 National Championships and 29 Reserves, as 56 young Californians in all captured finishes in the Top 10.

This year’s AHA Youth Nationals attracted 513 exhibitors from across the nation and Canada, competing on 837 horses in 2,602 classes.

Trainer Katherie Rich-Elzig of Temecula enjoyed a fruitful campaign at this year’s Youth Nationals. Olivia Welch led the way, showing Judita Amore BPA+/ to the National Champion Half-Arabian Saddle Pleasure Type Mare National Championship, and Samuel Weber rode Terhi Weber’s Hit The Road Jack to a Reserve in Half Arabian Country English Pleasure JOTR 13-under. Whitney Campbell also scored a Reserve Championship, riding LJR Aces Wild to the Half Arabian English Showhack JTR 13-under runner-up spot.

“All I can say about my barn is that every year it’s a team effort, said Rich-Elzig, who also had students Saylor Weidauer and Keely Bullard earn Top Ten in their respective classes. “I am so proud about how well they stand behind one another and support one another — including the parents. It’s not easy, and it truly is a team effort that involved everyone.”

Kelli Newton, who trains under Nicki McGinnis, captured two National Championships aboard Excaliber DDF, winning both the Dressage Third Level JTR 18-under and Dressage Fourth Level JTR 18-under classes.

Trainer Jonathan Ramsey of Stachowski Farms West in San Marcos had two riders win National Championships. McKenna Ray took Montero SF to the Arabian Mounted Native Costume JOTR 18-under crown, and Kendyl Peters took B Loved to the Arabian English Pleasure JTR 14-18 title.

Holland Stevens did not bring home a National Championship this year, but the bag as filled with ribbons, taking a pair of Reserves and nine Top Tens in a variety of classes on six different horses.

Every year, the AHYA Board of Directors hosts its annual AHYA Convention on the Friday before the Youth Nationals. At this meeting, AHYA members from across the U.S. and Canada elect a new Executive Committee, discuss key issues, and decide on resolutions to be put forth at the adult Convention in the fall. AHYA Convention is also another opportunity to recognize the winner of the previous year’s Youth of the Year Award, a prestigious honor and scholarship bestowed upon a deserving youth in the Arabian horse community. At the 2013 AHYA Convention, Moraga, Calif., resident Victoria “Tori” Oto was not only recognized as the 2012 Youth of the Year and outgoing Vice President, she was elected as the 2013-2014 AHYA President. Tori is joined on the Board by Immediate Past President Camille Waechter of Orinda, Calif., while Hannah Bell of Encinitas, Calif. Was recognized as the outgoing AHYA Secretary.

The Parade of Regions golf cart parade has been a long-standing tradition. It’s an event that kicks off the show and allows youth from each region to show off their regional pride and spirit. This year’s theme, “Root for the Home Team,” encouraged all regions to decorate their carts in a manner that represented the characteristics that make their region unique. Regions 1, 2, and 3 all include portions of California, and each had a fabulous golf cart.

MORE ONLINE: Http://bit.ly/309A_AHAY