2008 Creative Contest theme is "My Gift- The Arabian Horse." Enter unlimited categories for just $10. Compete in Creative Writing, Art, Photography, Computer-Generated, and Audio-Visual. Entries are due by June 1st. You can download your form and read all about the Creative Contest rules on ArabianHorses.org/youth. It's never too soon to get started on all of those awesome projects we receive each year!

If you are interested in running for AHYA office, please submit your AHYA officer candidate application today! Technically, candidate applications aren't due until June 15, but if you would like to start your campaign now you can submit your application and be posted on the website so that delegates all over can get to know you before Convention in July!

For election procedures and more information on AHYA, refer to the AHYA Constitution, Chapter 25 of your AHA Handbook, before submitting your application.

AHYA Convention is just around the corner! Are you interested in being a voting delegate for your Region? What's a delegate? Delegates represent their Region and help with making the decisions for AHYA. As a delegate, you get to vote for the next AHYA President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Contact your AHYA Youth Regional Director for more information on how to become a delegate for your Region!

We want YOU to cover Youth Nationals Activities! Enter the 2008 Youth Journalism contest by submitting a writing sample (details below). If you win, you'll be one of several kids to become journalists for Youth Nationals. Your work will be featured in official Youth Nationals coverage, and on the AHA website. Wow!

Winning youth journalists will work with an AHA staff member to write accounts of activities, get interviews, and take fun photos! If you're interested, make sure you'll be in Albuquerque, New Mexico for at least a few days of the upcoming Youth Nationals. Winners must be able to write their own stories and attend activities. Check Out the youth website for more details.

• June 1st AHYA Creative Contest entries due.
• June 1st AHYA Convention delegates eligibility deadline.
• June 15th AHYA Officer Candidate applications due to AHA.
• June 16th Youth Nationals entries due.
• June 25th AHYA Convention delegates forms due to AHA.

This year at Youth Nationals, you can wake up every morning and head straight to the fairgrounds to start your day with a hot cup of Joe! There will be a cash coffee and smoothie bar all week provided by The Cowboy Coffee Company. You can pick up your coffee or smoothie, kick back with the day's issue of The Daily Hoofprint and dish about yesterday's classes on the comfy couches and chairs. The Little Whinny Café is THE PLACE to make new friends and catch up with the one's you haven't seen since last year. We know we can't wait to see you there!

Nineteen days after turning 37 years old, Half-Arabian Elmer Bandit and owner/breeder Mary Anna Wood crossed the timing line on Sunday to complete his first Open Competitive Trail Ride (CTR) of 2008. Less than two hours later he vetted out sound and brought his CTR mileage total to 20,300. Elmer's lifetime mileage record is 410 miles short of the record for lifetime competitive miles.

There are a lot of old guys out there that are still kickin' up their heels and hangin' with all the youngsters! Do you have an older Arabian or Half/Anglo Arabian that still has a lot of get up and go? Wouldn't it be cool to dedicate an entire month to your trusty old guy by making them the AHYA's Horse of the Month? We would love to hear your Old Timer's story! Winning entries receive a model horse from Breyer Animal Creations and are featured on the AHYA Website. The best part about the Horse of the Month… there's no entry fee and you can enter anytime! Just email your short essay and a photo of your favorite Arabian to youth@ArabianHorses.org.

Are you close to Denver, CO and also show 4-H or FFA on your registered Purebred/Half/Anglo Arabian? Wouldn't it be cool if there were ALL Arabian classes offered at 4-H, FFA, or Open Youth shows?!?! Well get ready if you live in Region 8! Colorado State University and the National Western Stock Show are proud to be hosting the first ever Top of the Rockies Horse Show on August 14-17th! It's the first ever 4-H, FFA, and Open horse show to also hold breed specific classes as well as offer educational activities throughout the show. We are talking English, Western, even Speed Events! There will be FIVE ALL ARABIAN CLASSES offered at the show! Not to mention they will be handing out some awesome trophies, awards, and even scholarship money!
So grab your registered Purebred/Half/Anglo Arabian horse and head to Denver! We will see you there! For more information got to www.TOTRshow.com or email them!

When grasses start greening up in the spring, you might be tempted to turn your horse loose in the pasture to chow down on the new grass. But be aware that any sudden change in your horse's diet could cause health problems. When a horse is to be turned out on pasture all day, especially if the pasture is lush and green, you should transition the time on pasture gradually to avoid overeating. Horses should be provided with all the grass hay they want to eat about a week prior to the start of complete pasture turnout. The time on pasture should be increased by an hour each day for four to five days. Then, before the horse is going to be turned out completely on pasture, provide a hay meal. It's important to remember that each horse is different. Some horses take more time to adjust to dietary changes than others. So monitor the horse's eating habits and health status closely during this time. Don't hesitate to ask for more tips from a veterinarian, trainer, or experienced horse friend!

Congratulation goes out to Big Brown for winning his Run for the Roses at the 134th Kentucky Derby! Big Brown accelerated to the lead at the top of the stretch and was never challenged while putting away the rest of the field with an explosive finishing kick under jockey Kent Desormeaux. Big Brown defined Derby history with a 4 ¾ length victory that made him the first horse since the filly Regret in 1915 to win off just three career starts. He was also the second horse in history to win from the post position No. 20.

Big Brown's next race is just around the corner on May 17th in the Preakness. It's been 30 years since a horse has swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont giving race fans a Triple Crown Winner. Can he do it? Tell us what you think at youth@arabianhorses.org.

The world's first cloned horse, Prometea, a Haflinger mare, has had her first foal. On March 17th the mare gave birth to a healthy colt, named Pegaso. Pegaso was produced by a single artificial insemination attempt.

Born in 2003, Prometea was the center of the scientific world. Not only was she the first horse ever cloned, but she was cloned from the skin cells of the same mare that carried and gave birth to her. This made her the first clone of any species to be genetically identical to her surrogate mother. Wow! That is amazing!

Are you a stall-bound horse? Want to amuse yourself and your human? Well, here is a fun activity for you to try!

Poop in the water game
This will test your coordination and spatial abilities. Horses all over the world practice this, every day. You must try to poop in your water container (note: drink water first, so you won't go thirsty!). If your water container is too high to poop in, you can attempt to poop on the stall's door, or on the wall. This also gives your human something to do- when they see what you've done, they will marvel at your special abilities, then, happily provide you with fresh water.