Just in time for the holidays, give friends and family Patrick Swayze and Lisa Neimi’s book, "The Time of My Life." Book proceeds benefit Youth Programs. Pair this heart-felt book with the Patrick Swayze and Tammen poster at a discounted rate. Books are $20, Posters are $10 each or you can get the pair for $25. Posters and books are available online.

The Race For Education (RFE), a national 501(c)(3) scholarship organization, enables young people of equine industry families as well as those who want to pursue an equine-related or agricultural career, both with significant financial need, to obtain a college degree by providing tuition support; financial literacy training to help students minimize their debt load; mentoring services to provide students with emotional support; and permanent jobs upon graduation. Scholarship applications are accepted starting December 1 for the 2010 scholarship year. Visit their website for more information.

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.

A big thanks goes out to all of the sponsors for their graciously donated items to the Youth Silent Auction held in Reno, Nev. in November! Your generous support helps to promote and continue many great Youth Programs at AHA! We had a little more than 182 participants this year bidding on 157 items. Thanks to everyone who made this year's auction such a big success!

When in doubt, run far, far away.
You can never have too many treats.
Passing gas in public is nothing to be ashamed of.
New shoes are an absolute necessity every six weeks.
Ignore cues. They're just a prompt to do more work.
Everyone loves a good, wet, slobbery kiss.
Never run when you can jog. Never jog when you can walk. And never walk when you can stand still.
Heaven is eating at least 10 hours a day... and then sleeping the rest.
Eat plenty of roughage.
Great legs and a nice rear will get you anywhere. Big, brown eyes help too.
When you want your way, stomp hard on the nearest foot.
In times of crisis, take a poop.
Act dumb when faced with a task you don't want to do.
Follow the herd. That way, you can't be singled out to take the blame.
A swift kick in the butt will get anyone's attention.
Love those who love you back, especially if they have something good to eat.