Big Plans From Three Elected To Represent Region 9 AQHYA by Tom Burriss At the MBNA America Youth Excellence Seminar and AQHYA Conference held in Amarillo, Texas June 26-28 executive and regional directors were elected including Andrew McBeath, Union, Miss. Vice President; Jody Hackett, Collierville, Tenn. and Casey McBeath, Benton, Louisiana, as Region 9 directors. The three have many big plans in store for the members of AQHYA as well as all youth horse enthusiasts for the region, which includes, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. "We really want to reach out to 4H and FFA members to join AQHYA," says 17 year old Casey McBeath. "This would give them an opportunity to compete in more levels and to compete in world competition. There are a lot of quarter horse competitors in 4H and FFA, but this also applies to those without horses to compete in speech and leadership contests too." "Andrew, Casey and I are planning a regional leadership conference and a racing experience in the coming year," added 15 Jody Hatchett. "The leadership conference will be a three day weekend in which we expect 75-100 youth to assemble in one town to learn about leadership from regional and national AQHA directors." "In the fall we hope to have a Racing Experience. We will go to Louisiana, probably Bossier City, to watch and learn about Quarter Horse racing." In addition to setting up programs, Andrew, Casey and Jody are expected to represent the AQHA and AQHYA as official ambassadors at various functions, such as local and regional shows and banquets, and also at bigger events like the upcoming Youth World Show, National High School Finals Rodeo and the MBNA Challenge. "Our biggest responsibility is to promote the breed," stated 16 year old Andrew McBeath. In order to achieve their elected posts, each had to successfully campaign during the Youth Conference, including encouraging enough delegates to represent and vote from each state. "We had to have lots of conversations," says Jody "and give lots of speeches." "I knew a lot of the people from before. I see many of them at horse shows," adds Casey, "so it wasn't too bad introducing myself to all the delegates." "It's fun, but a lot of work," says Andrew, who had to give three progressive speeches, at the regional, representative, and national levels, in order to win his bid for Vice President. Andrew is a junior at Leake Academy in Union, Mississippi, who competes in All-Around: Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Trails. Andrew is currently competing at the BIG A in Conyers, Georgia. He plans on running for President next year. Jody is a sophomore at Collierville High School and competes in all four of the affiliate organizations with AQHA: NCHA, NRHA, NSBA, and NQHA. She holds the post of youth recorder for the NSBA, and is youth Vice President of the TNQHA. "I really wanted to give back to the association that has given me so much in my life. "I've been riding since I was four, and showing since I was six and have been a member all my life." Casey is a junior at Ezengal Academy in Benton, Louisiana. He is an AQHYA lifetime member and competes in Halter and calf roping. Casey plans to run for an executive office next year.