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The North Stars-An American Saddlebred Horse Association Youth Club
All students riding 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, 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!
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, 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.
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
Any youth involved with the American Saddlebred horse can now earn a
letter, similar to a school activity letter, which can be sewn on a jacket
or sweater. This letter can be earned by any youth 21 years of age or under,
who completes all three ASIYP levels, a certain number of Achievement
Badges, essays, references, and other American Saddlebred-related
activities. By earning this handsome letter, you will be recognized for
having put diligent, sincere effort into learning about horses in general,
the American Saddlebred in particular, and having put that knowledge into
practical application, thereby bettering your experiences with horses.
As you work your way into the upper levels of the ASIYP program, you will
find yourself learning more about American Saddlebreds in particular. You
will also find that your general horse knowledge has expanded considerably.
Best of all, you are not required to own a horse to participate!
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