Each year, the AjPHA Youth Leadership Conference connects young APHA members with each other in a fun, educational setting. This year’s event took place during the 2015 APHA Convention February 27–March 1 in Fort Worth, Texas. YLC participant Sabine Lazo of Caldwell, Texas, attended the conference for the first time, and she was compelled to share her experience.

Brand Yourself 2015

It was a long, icy road to Fort Worth, Texas, on the way to the 2015 Youth Leadership Conference, but it was certainly worth it! Not only was the YLC a remarkable opportunity to meet Paint Horse enthusiasts from across the nation, but it was also an excellent reminder as to why I began loving the breed in the first place.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit the conference, I would recommend it. Whether you are just testing out the Paint industry or are a long-time contributor, there’s something for everyone to learn. Even those who have been in the industry for years can enjoy talking with other Paint lovers from all across America. I met people from Missouri, Kansas, New Jersey, Arizona, and even Canada.

When we arrived on Friday, we checked in, met the Youth group and participated in icebreakers. Then, we gathered for three speakers: APHA Executive Director Billy Smith, Director of Judges Dave Dellin and Executive Committee Member Dr. Craig Wood.

Billy spoke to us about the theme of the 2015 YLC: Branding Yourself. He taught us how to brand ourselves as a member by making our own success and becoming a leader. How do you become a leader? By serving others.

“Leadership is about what you can do to improve the lives of others, not yourself,” he said.

Dave was next, and he gave us useful information regarding judging and exhibition of classes. His words of wisdom? Read your rulebook! Since then, I’ve been following his advice and found it very beneficial to my riding and presentation in the ring. Following Dave, Dr. Wood shared his ingredients to success and what makes a truly great leader. We learned things that great leaders do, questions they ask themselves and questions we should be asking ourselves as an association. To finish off the night, we played some fun, interactive games to get to know each other.

On Saturday morning, February 28, speaker Rick Rigsby spoke on the value of working together. In a mere four hours, every person in the room began to truly understand the value of working together as an association. Rick shared a few simple rules that we should all live by: “Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow;” “If you’re the smartest one in your group, find a new group;” and, most importantly, “Don’t embarrass your momma.”

That afternoon, the Youth Committee Meeting commenced. We discussed rule proposals and considered possible ideas for rule changes to be reviewed at next year’s committee meeting. Just because we had important work to do didn’t mean we couldn’t have some fun. We had dinner in Roanoke, “the Dining Capital of Texas,” followed by a VERY competitive scavenger hunt.

On Sunday, March 1, we heard from various speakers, including Director of International Membership Irene Stamatelakys, the Senior Director of Show & Contest Holly Slaughter and social media expert Associate Editor Rachel Florman. Irene spoke to us about the growing Paint industry in Europe, which generates 25 percent of our revenue and encouraged us to support our fellow Paint enthusiasts across the ocean through social media. Holly explained the new Paint Championships. Rachel Florman gave us new information on using social media to promote APHA, and we helped create a new hashtag for Youth leaders: #painttheglobe.

After a few fun activities, we broke for lunch. Unfortunately, we had to leave at noon due to slower driving conditions resulting from the ice and snow. The other seminars included a presentation on APHA’s publications—the Paint Horse Journal, Flash and Chrome—by Director of Publications Jessica Hein, and then Youth attended The Game Plan seminar, which explained what judges are looking for in various performance events.

“The YLC was very informational and taught me a great deal about the American Paint Horse Association,” YLC attendee Kieli Adkins said.

The 2015 AjPHA Youth Leadership Conference was an experience I will never forget. I learned valuable lessons, reconnected with my love for APHA and met amazing new friends. Thank you so much to the Texas Paint Horse Club for sponsoring my trip to the 2015 YLC.  I can’t wait until next year’s conference!

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. For more information visit www.apha.com.