Walking On Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2016 | Page 10
2016 American Youth Ho
The Walking Horse Owners’ Association (WHOA) was proud to serve as a sponsor of and participate in this year’s Am
Walking Horse Owners Youth Association (WHOYA) President Shelby Finch, WHOYA Reporter Olivia Hayes, WHOA
Shelby, Olivia, and Ranger T. were kind enough to share their thoughts on their activities during the symposium.
The American Youth Horse Council Symposium 2016
By Shelby Finch, WHOYA Presi dent
experience that
The American Youth Horse Council Symposium was an incredible
it was better
but
I can’t even begin to explain. It was not exactly what I expected,
nd girls running
that way. I expected it to be this crazy, chaotic thing with a thousa
at the very most.
around, but it wasn’t! There were 150 kids and 100 or so adults
s! I learne d all
friend
This allowe d me to get to know a lot of them and make new
e. I learne d so
kinds of things about just about every discipline you could imagin
y.
much and met so many amazing people from all over the countr
and get to talk
rides
also
One of my favorite things is when I find someone who
days of getting to do
to them about horses and share stories. The Symposium was 3
that.
g to tell people
Being the extroverted person that I am, I especially liked gettin
Just Say WHOA
about Ranger T. Walker and Just Say WHOA (and of course the
of kids) and by the
Song). We sang the song 3 times total (2 with the whole group
We played Bingo
end of the weekend, just about everyone there knew the song.
etc.) and when
the last night with horse relate d things (tack, breeds, associations,
meant one thingthey called WHOA, I heard several people singing the song. That
Just Say WHOA
mission accomplished! We sang the song and told the message of
it to their local
bring
to
in such a way that allowe d them to remember it enough
horse clubs and associations as well!
, whether
There were also several educational talks that could apply to anyone
whether
life,
whole
your
riding
you just starte d riding two weeks ago or have been
en,
betwe
in
ng
you ride Walking Horses, Thoroughbre ds, Quarter Horses, or anythi
me ideas of ways
you could get something out of it. The talks that I went to gave
activities that
on”
“hands
as
Such
that I can teach younger people about horses.
club and help
4H
my
require a horse and also some that don’t. I can take these to
the thing brings
those who are just getting starte d riding and help them to pursue
be used in future
them (and me) the most happiness- horses! These ideas can also
WHOYA activities as well.
gave me this
Words cannot express how incredibly grateful I am that WHOA
amazing opportunity.
10 • Walking On
The Ame
Council
By Olivia Hay
Whenever I thou
always thought of t
thought of all the o
that were in Lexing
Rehabilitation and t
es from post-surger
with aqua therapy a
ments to help the h
healthy lifestyle. Go
really opened my ey
being the typical ve
enough to learn abo
breeds such as the
oughbreds, Saddlebr
I’m most comfortabl
ing Horse I feel tha
in person will help m
them in the long ru
anyone who is intere
AYHC meeting. If yo
not only will you lea
also make new frien
get! Even though yo
the same horse ridi
have a burning desi
knowing that someo
much as you can cre
a lifetime!