Youth

TQHYA has a program to fit all levels… from Novice to World Champions

TQHYA Newsletter!

Awbrey Alvarado – Texas Quarter Horse Association Congress Queen

A bonified “Horse Girl” – Awbrey Alvarado was born in Las Vegas and raised in Waller, Texas – a small-town 40 miles northwest of Houston.  She started riding about the time she could walk and was showing at the age of five.  She rides and shows for the love of the animal ….. and the sparkle on the outfits!

Currently a sophomore at the University of Arkansas in the Sam Walton School of Business, Awbrey plans to go to Law School.  Her truest core value is that of responsibility and she takes great pride telling her story of the many lessons that have been learned in the barn.

Awbrey grew up showing colorful breeds and served as the President of the National Youth Pinto Association, a National Director for the American Paint Horse Association and a Texas 4H Ambassador.  Her horse experience is as diverse as her world championship neck ribbons – from Western Riding to Hunter Hack.

Awbrey’s family have always supported her horse sense and expense.  Her Dad, an energy executive, and her mom, a former public policy manager that retired to raised two girls, managed a farm, volunteer and substitute teach for the local school district.  Awbrey’s younger sister Claire shares her love of horses and shows on the EWD team with Stable Strides Farm, out of Pilot Point, Texas.  Horses are a family thing and saddling up to ride together happens in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado as well as the Ford Arena in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

A certified scuba diver, downhill skier, avid reader of suspense and dystopian genre and a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, Awbrey’s true love is for her horses.  What began on trial rides, progressed to small open shows, Texas 4H and finally to the bright lights of world shows and the NSBA. The All-American Congress Queen is THE “Horse Girl Ambassador” in its truest form.  The Queen represents every award winner that enters the show pen and every little girl that dreams to ride for the first time.  Awbrey has the grace and poise to represent the industry and its sponsors and the background of love and responsibility to embrace the seasoned rider and promote the sport to every future equine participant.

Congratulations to these 2026 Foundation Scholarship Recipients:

The Texas Quarter Horse Association Foundation is pleased to announce its 2026 Scholarship Recipients. These horse enthusiasts clearly demonstrate the TQHAF Scholarship Program’s criteria: participation in TQHYA, AQHA or other equine activities; strong academic credentials; demonstrated leadership in their schools and community organizations; and effective communication skills. Please congratulate:

Mr. Charles Lee of McAllen, Texas.
Ms. Hannah Borders of Missouri City
Ms. Mary Katherine Corrigan of Cypress
Mr. Jett Garrett of Boling
Ms. Cora Rush of Lufkin
Ms. Katherine Wickersham of Bryan
Ms. Rebecca “Faith” Fry of College Station
Ms. Dallee Robinson of De Leon
Ms. Kirklyn Fulton of Lubbock
Ms. Cali Erfurth of Atascosa

Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association Volunteer Form

Below you will find the TQHYA Volunteer form. Please use this form for all volunteering with TQHA. These hours will be used for your officer application, and your scholarship application with us.

Youth Excellence Seminar

YES offers a wide variety of activities for both youth and adult leaders during a three-day, action-packed event!

AQHYA World Show

In addition to competing in horse show classes, the AQHYA World Show offers many contests. TQHA will enter teams in these contests, depending on interest and eligibility.  They include Horse Judging, Yearbook Contest (will be submitted by the TQHYA Reporter), Team Demonstration, Prepared and Impromtu Speech contests, Horse Bowl, Variety Show, Justin Boot Decorating,  and Wrangler Jean Decorating.

NYATT Team Tournament

The National Youth Activity Team Tournament (NYATT) is the most popular youth event at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. State and regional Quarter Horse Associations across the U.S. and Canada form teams consisting of at least four youth that compete in Barrel Racing, Horsemanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Reining, Showmanship and Western Pleasure.

Racing Experience

The TQHYA Race Experience is going to be held at Sam Houston Race Park starting at 8 am Saturday, June 15, 2024 . Youth will be able to meet the trainers, tour the barns, and attend the races at the Park. More details to come!

The AQHA National Youth Racing Experience will be held at the Downs Racetrack & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Download the AQHYA Youth Racing Experience Handbook to learn more!

Interested? 

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