32
AQHA CLINIC: SYDNEY QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION( SQHA) YOUTH & AMATEUR CLINIC
Sydney Quarter Horse Association( SQHA) was thrilled to host a FREE Youth and Amateur Clinic for AQHA members ahead of the SQHA Winter Woollies Club Show, and it was an absolute triumph from start to finish!
The weekend delivered perfect winter conditions, crisp, clear, and without a speck of dust in the air. The action kicked off early at 7:45am with a group muster at SQHA headquarters, setting the tone for two action-packed days of learning, growth, and community.
Youth Clinic: Empowering the Next Generation Nearly 20 enthusiastic AQHA Youth riders gathered with their awesome horses for an inspiring couple of days with AQHA Professional Horseman Kate Elliott of Breakoday Quarter Horses.
Kate wasted no time getting down to business: Goal Setting & Path to Growth: She opened by asking each youth rider about their aspirations, creating a clear roadmap to help them build stronger partnerships with their horses and achieve their goals.
Masterful Instruction: As a highly experienced educator, Kate brought her signature approachable, encouraging style while keeping everyone sharply focused on positive outcomes.
Hard Work & Big Results: The youth put in serious effort and saw amazing breakthroughs in their riding!
Friendships Forged: Beyond the arena work, riders connected, supported one another, and formed lasting friendships.
It was particularly rewarding to watch these young competitors take what they learned straight into the show pen during the SQHA AA Winter Woolies Show over the same weekend, racking up fantastic results.
Huge congratulations to all our youth riders!
Amateur Clinic: A great turnout of 19 participants
Pushing Boundaries & Raising the Bar: The Amateur Clinic certainly did not disappoint! Kate kept our Amateurs working hard and stepping outside their comfort zones.
Arena Setup: Poles lined the arena floor alongside witches hats for precision navigation.
Targeted Exercises: The sessions focused on fundamental horsemanship, smooth changes of rein, balance, and finetuning control.
Rider Feedback: Participants walked away thoroughly challenged and inspired, with many commenting on just how much they learned and achieved in such a short time.
Thank You! AQHA Amateur Division and Sydney Quarter Horse Association. Thank you also Cobbitty Grounds Formerly Sugerloaf Venue for having us at your facility.
AQHA initiatives like this succeed because of incredible people coming together to welcome, nurture, and encourage the next generation of Quarter Horse owners and competitors.
A massive thank you to Kate Elliott for generously sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion.
We look forward to seeing all these riders continue their journey and thrive within the Q-Horse community!
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION- www. aqha. com. au