October 30: Arabian Horse Youth Judging Contest, U.S. Nationals, Tulsa, Okla.
October 31: Arabian Horse Youth Judging Contest Awards Breakfast, Tulsa, Okla.
November 1: AHYA Board of Directors Meeting, Tulsa, Okla.
November 1: AHYA Silent Auction donated items due to AHA
November 30: Regional Youth Team Tournament results close
December 15: Regional Youth Team Tournament results are due to AHA from the Tournament Secretary in your region.

Are you passionate about sport horse, equitation and showmanship or maybe want to help spread the word about AHYA and Arabian horses? Did you know that AHYA has 10 committees on which you can serve? Contact youth@arabianhorses.org for more information about the committees and how you can participate. You only need to be a member of AHA and passionate about the committee you would like to join!

This special event is the training ground for young men and women who will shape the horse industry into the next millennium. Contestants from 4-H and FFA clubs, AHA clubs and universities from across the continent evaluate the conformation and performance of some of the finest Arabian horses in the country. The contest takes place during the finals weekend of the U.S. National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show.

AHA Youth Programs is looking for sponsorships of this educational event as well as horses for the contest. If you plan to be exhibiting your horses in Tulsa, Okla. at the US National Show and they would be available the morning of Friday, October 30, please contact the Youth Department at 303-696-4505. We are looking for halter and performance horses alike.

And don't forget to choose your sponsorship level (Bronze $500, Silver $1000, Gold $2500 and Platinum $5000) or contact the Youth Department for partial sponsorship opportunities! Sponsorship benefits can be customized to meet your needs!

AHYA is looking for item donations for the 2009 Youth Silent Auction. This annual auction is held in conjunction with the AHA Annual Convention each year and is one of the largest fundraisers for Youth Programs. Large or small, your items contribute to sponsoring all of the educational programs offered by AHYA and Youth Programs each year.

Items can be sent to the AHA office at Arabian Horse Association, Attn Youth Programs, 10805 E Bethany Drive, Aurora, CO 80014. For more information contact Angela Mannick, Youth Programs, 303-696-4505.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Council will host the Third Annual Youth Convention as part of the USEF Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will take place on Saturday, January 16, 2010 in Louisville, KY. Registrants can look forward to a Star Power Panel discussion including eight top athletes from USEF-recognized breeds and disciplines and several break-out workshops. Forms are available on the Youth Programs webpage. For further information, please contact Joyce Hamblin, Youth Council Program Manager at jhamblin@usef.org or (859) 225-6939.

Hosted by the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville, the 33rd Annual National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium will be held in Conjunction with the Youth Festival, in celebration of the Alltech World Equestrian Game in Lexington, Kentucky on March 19-21, 2010. The Symposium is a production of the American Youth Horse Council (AYHC), the umbrella organization for the youth horse industry. The 2010 event will boast more than two-dozen internationally and nationally respected teachers assembled to share their keys to successful youth horse programming. Presentations will be aimed at Adult Leaders of Youth Horse Programs, Industry Professionals and Teen Leaders. Roundtable discussions, classroom presentations, interactive sessions, exhibit booths, silent auction, awards banquet and keynote speeches will be highlights of the Symposium. Separate Teen Leader activities will bring youth representing all disciplines and horse breed activities together to learn team building, ethics and network. A pre-conference tour of the area will include horse farms of many disciplines. To register or to find more information contact AYHC at www.ayhc.com.

Did you know that cherry trees, peach trees, and chokecherry bushes contain cyanide in their leaves, twigs, and in the fruit's pit? As little as 1-2 cups of leaves on an empty stomach could kill your horse within minutes. To prevent him from snacking on these deadly morsels, make sure trees are pruned or planted out of reach, or that fences are tall enough that he can't stretch over and snatch a mouthful. After pruning, be sure to dispose any of these poisonous leaves or twigs well away from your horse's pasture. Wilting actually increases the cyanide content. Poisonous Plants