That's right, the USEF is holding their first ever youth convention in Louisville, KY on January 12th. The convention is jammed packed with great activities. Registration includes admittance to the seminars given by many notable speakers and top equestrians who will be sharing their individual experiences in the equine industry. It's not too late to sign up for the event. Your AHA Youth Programs Coordinator, Angela Mannick, your AHYA President, Kim Luebcke, and your 2007 Youth of the Year, Kirsten Kimbler, will be there along with several other members of AHYA. We would love to have as many kids there as possible to represent AHA and the Arabian horse! Go to the USEF website for more details by clicking here. If you are planning on attending already or this has motivated you to go, email Angela and Kim and let them know so they can hang out with you at the event!

As some of you may not know, Nancy Harvey has been the Youth Committee Chair and helping with AHYA for the last 16 years! Nancy has devoted a large portion of her life campaigning for Youth Programs and mentoring many young Arabian enthusiasts over the years. Nancy will forever be remembered for her enthusiasm, lively personality, support for AHYA, superior knowledge of Robert's Rules of Order, vertical challenges, and outstanding dedication and volunteerism. On behalf of AHYA and all of the Arabian Youth everywhere, Nancy we sure are gonna miss you!

Have you ever had an idea for a new class at Youth Nationals? Do you know of a great fundraising idea? Have you ever wanted to be involved with decorating for the AHYA Convention? Ever wished there was a way to give your feedback on rules in the Handbook? Well the AHYA Board participates in several committees throughout the year. But these committees are not just available to your Regional Youth Directors and members of the Board. You too can get involved! If any of these youth committees sound like something you would want to get involved with, email your AHYA President today!

• Convention/Credentials Committee
• Youth Nationals Committee
• Youth Activities Committee
• Membership/Fundraising & Promotions Committee
• Regional/National Classes Committee
• Equitation/Showmanship Committee
• Nominating Committee
• Public Relations Committee
• Working Western Committee
• Sport Horse Committee

Hey all, don't forget to get your final results into your Regional Youth Coordinators. The Regional Youth Team Tournament came to a close on November 30th. All final results must be submitted to the AHA office from your Regional Youth Coordinator no later than post marked December 15th! Good luck to everyone that competed this year. Stay tuned for results of the 2007 tournament by logging onto the youth website!

During General Session at this year's AHA Convention, members of the AHA of Arizona expressed their realization that Youth Programs are very vital to the association, the breed and to youngsters everywhere. They announced that they were generously donating a substantial amount of money to support Youth Programs in 2008. On behalf of AHYA and all our youth members, we thank you tremendously for your support!

A big thanks goes out to all of the sponsors for their graciously donated items to the Youth Silent Auction held in Tulsa, OK in November! Your generous support helps to promote and continue many great Youth Programs at AHA! We had a little more than 150 participants this year bidding on 144 items. Thanks to everyone who made this year's auction such a big success!

While we enjoy winter weather and the recreational opportunities the season provides, there are some important horse health issues to remember as well.

• Of all the issues impacting horse health in the winter, water is at the top of the list. Make sure plenty of fresh water is available. Having a water heater in your tank not only keeps the water from freezing, but horses tend to drink more water when it is above 65º F.
• High quality hay should be the cornerstone of your winter nutrition program. Hay provides a lower per unit cost. Hay provides additional benefits of maintaining gastrointestinal function and generates body heat during digestion.
• With colder weather and increased stabling time, poor ventilation and dusty forage can predispose horses to respiratory problems in the winter. Don't be afraid to wet down your horse's dusty hay in the winter.
• Shelter from wind and particularly rain/snow should be provided.
• Blankets come in wind and water proof designs that can enable horses to stay outside and be protected from the rain and wind chill. If you decide to blanket, it is important this be maintained for the entire winter to avoid shocking horses' systems.

• The record for the highest jump made by a horse is held by a horse named Huaso who jumped 8 feet, 1 and ¼ inches on February 5, 1949 in Chile.
• Generally a horse can carry 20% of its weight safely!
• The record for most runners in a horse race is 228 set in Bayanwula, Xiwuzhumuqinqi, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China on 25 July 2005.
• Breeders have been breeding horses to go fast and the result is the American Quarter Horse, the world's fastest horse, which can sprint at up to 55 MPH.
• There are over 350 different breeds of horses and ponies
• The "OLDEST" horse recorded to date is - "Old Billy", an English Barge horse born in 1760 who lived to the age of 62 years old.
• The "OLDEST" horse ever to give birth was a 42 year old Australian brood mare.
• In the wild horse world, the mare decides when and where the herd will go while the stallion follows.
• The fastest Pony Express ride was 7 days, 17 hours and was carrying Lincoln's inaugural address.

CHEWING: Make a contribution to the architectural industry.... chew on your stall wall, the fence or any other wooden item.

CHILDREN: Human children require much nurturing in order to develop a healthy self-ego. Never offer your right-lead canter to an adult rider. However, permit the child the honor of the right lead. Older children may be denied the first one or two canter cues, in order to prepare them for adulthood. Very young children MUST be given the right lead on the very first try.

DINING ETIQUETTE: Always pull all of your hay out of the hay rack, especially right after your stall has been cleaned, so you can mix the hay with your fresh bedding. This challenges your human, the next time they're cleaning your stall - and we all know how humans love a challenge (that's what they said when they bought you as a two year old, right?).

Now you know why your horse acts like he does...