There’s simply something special about children and their horses, and that was certainly evident at the 2014 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show June 28–July 5 in Fort Worth, Texas. Held in conjunction with the NSBA Color of Money show June 24–26, tons of Paints and their young exhibitors converged on Cowtown to vie for the most prestigious Youth titles in the Paint Horse industry.

While Youth from around the country took home ribbons and prizes, six young equestriennes earned the Youth World Show’s much-coveted all-around and high-point titles. Though some were new competitors and others veteran exhibitors, all were surprised to find themselves leading their respective title races and are grateful for those who helped them reach the top. Check out a piece of their stories below, and read more on the ywcs.apha.com website and in the September 2014 Paint Horse Journal.

All-Around Youth 14-18
Drew Rogers & Shez Eye Candy

Although Drew Rogers of Bakersfield, California, and Shez Eye Candy have been longtime partners, they still manage to find brand new victories in the show pen.

A unanimous world championship in Youth Trail 14-18 came as a pleasant surprise to Drew. One of their best classes, Drew and “Fran”—a 2004 sorrel overo mare by Charlie Hilfiger and out of Zippos Satin N Lace—have never before won a world championship in trail, making this victory particularly sweet.

READ MORE—All-Around Youth 14-18

All-Around Youth 13 & Under
Olivia Eagles & Chipped In Roses

If you ask Olivia Eagles about her favorite part of the AjPHA Youth World Championship Show, she knows the answer in a heartbeat.

“Riding ‘Brett,’ of course,” she said. “That’s always my favorite.”

The bond between Chipped In Roses—a 2003 sorrel tobiano gelding by Gentlemen Send Roses and out of Fancy Butter Chip (QH)—and the equestrienne from Mount Vernon, Missouri, was clear as they dazzled the competition throughout the show, winning the All-Around Youth 13 & Under award, along with world championships in Western horsemanship, showmanship, hunt-seat equitation and Western riding.

READ MORE—All-Around Youth 13 & Under

All-Around Novice Youth
Aubree Scobie & Gameplan

Partners for only four months, Aubree Scobie of Paso Robles, California, and Gameplan—a 2000 bay tobiano gelding by A Master Plan and out of Colonelspatsalexis—traveled to the Youth World Show and showed off their hard work. Their connection was clear, as they took home several world championship titles and the All-Around Novice Youth award.

Aubree, 15, just wanted to come to the Youth World Show to have fun—she wasn’t expecting to win the Novice Youth title. After attending the show several years ago as a spectator, she made it her goal to ride at the show. When the opportunity arose to compete with GP, a veteran show horse, she jumped at the chance.

READ MORE—All-Around Novice Youth

High-Point English Youth
Alexis Sage Miller & Thanks For Zip En Me

After several years of near misses in the Youth World Show’s high-point races, Alexis Sage Miller of Eaton, Colorado, vowed to just focus on having fun, successful rides at this year’s event. Her laid-back plan worked well, and Lexi was surprised to find herself atop the High-Point English Youth leader board.

“This year, I didn’t really go into the World Show wanting to win a high-point—I just wanted to have a good show,” she said. “I was really shocked to find out I’d won it. That was a really nice surprise.”

READ MORE—High-Point English Youth

High-Point Western Youth
High-Point Power Performance
Meredith Scroggs & Renos Cool Dancer

Meredith Scroggs was hungry for victory as she stepped into the arena with Renos Cool Dancer at the Youth World Show.

“We’ve wanted to come and win big at the World Show for so long,” Meredith said. “We’ve been getting ready all summer.”

Steady success in cattle and speed events—some of the first classes of the show—netted Meredith a pair of high-point awards. Clinching the new Power Performance award, Meredith and Dixie—a 2004 blue roan tobiano mare by Vicker Too Cool (QH) and out of Renos Flamin Dancr—also took an early lead on the High-Point Western Youth leader board that couldn’t be surpassed.

READ MORE—High-Point Western Youth
READ MORE—Power Performance

High-Point Walk-Trot
Alexia Tordoff & Bossy Commander

A dedicated teacher is vital to introducing a young rider to the ins and outs of the show ring. But while parents and coaches are forced to watch from the stands, Alexia Tordoff’s teacher—19-year-old Bossy Commander—accompanies her throughout her entire performance. A faithful student, 10-year-old Alexia says she’s learned a lot from the veteran show horse, and the duo successfully wrapped up the High-Point Walk-Trot title at the Youth World Show.

“We have a perfect connection. He’s always been there for me,” Alexia said about the 1995 bay overo gelding by UK Mito Boss (QH) and out of French Melody (TB). “He’s like an old warhorse now. He knows a lot more than I do—he’s taught me so much.”

READ MORE—High-Point Walk-Trot

Miss the Action?
If you missed the 2014 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show or want to relive some of its most memorable moments, APHA has you covered. They’ve got a ton of online stories, video blogs, photos, results and more available at ywcs.apha.com. Click on “News” and then “2014”—each day features a video blog with news from around the show, major story highlights, world champions’ “Winning Words” interviews and daily winners.

Captured on camera? Candids from the Youth World Show can be viewed or purchased at painthorsejournal.smugmug.com.

About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.