The North Stars-An American Saddlebred Horse Association Youth Club

All youth students taking riding lessons at North Wind are encouraged to join the North Stars which is an American Saddlebred Horse Association Youth Club. It is the perfect place to meet other young people interested in horses, and the perfect way to become involved with American Saddlebreds - to have great fun, engage in friendly competition, and learn new skills. As an ASHA Youth Club member, you can help plan and take part in activities and projects you might never have dreamed possible. You can be part of something that will benefit your club, your community, and the American Saddlebred breed itself. And here is the best part - ASHA Youth Club members need not own a horse or even be taking riding lessons to participate. Any young person who likes horses is welcome! Membership is free if you are taking lessons at North Wind Stables Riding Academy after you join the American Saddlebred Horse Association

In addition to a wide variety of activities and projects, both entertaining and educational, membership in an ASHA Youth Club will provide you with the opportunity to participate in all the American Saddlebred Horse Association's programs for youth. These include judging contests, gymkhana events, trail rides, farm visits, clinics, horse shows, the driving challenge and other horse-related adventures. One highlight of every year is the exciting ASHA Youth Conference, with its Youth Club of the Year Award.

In fact, this award is only one of many given annually to recognize ASHA's junior members' achievements. Academy Awards, including gold, silver and bronze medallions, and plaques and certificates for nearly a dozen other areas of accomplishment are presented each year to proud Youth Club recipients.

As a member of the North Stars you are part of the American Saddlebred International Youth Program - ASIYP This exciting, multi-level program, open to youth 21 years old and under, offers every young horse-lover the opportunity to learn about the history, development, care and feeding of American Saddlebreds, and other pertinent information about horses in general. Educational materials designed to provide important facts and general information are tailored to three skill levels, and include year-end art, literary and photo competitions.

Participants may earn certificates and any or all of six achievement badges by completing requirements for each. Badges are currently offered for Horsemanship, Showmanship, Tack, Grooming, Colors and Markings, and Junior Judging. These handsome badges, embroidered in bright colors, are great for attaching to a jacket or sweatshirt.

Community Service is a big part of this program as well. The North Stars take advantage of Saddlebred Rescue Inc being located at North Wind Stables to meet this requirement. Saddlebred Rescue Inc. saves Saddlebreds from going to slaughter in Canada after a long hard life and places them in new productive homes. Other breeds such as Standardbreds, Belgians, Percherons, Hackneys, Morgans, Thoroughbreds, Mini’s and Arabs have been a part of this effort as well.

No matter what your special interest or talent, ASIYP offers a wide array of competitions with something for everyone. They are open to any youth currently enrolled in ASIYP, all ASHA junior members, and any member of an ASHA Youth Club. Competitions are held each year in two main categories:

• Activity Division Horsemanship Division
• Art contest Judging classes
• Photography contest Horsemanship
• Computer art contest Pattern riding
• Oral presentation or essay Showmanship at halter
• Story contest Written test
• Video contest