Andrew Plant from Cambridgeshire has been working with us here at Sovereign for the last three years first as an Apprentice Trainer, but more recently as Assistant Trainer.  

History of the Youth World Cup: The Youth World Cup was set up by the AQHA some 16 years ago and now boasts 13 teams that travel thousands of miles to take part in what has been called "the most educational and culturizing event for youth ever to enter the equine industry".  A team of five riding competitors plus up to five additional non riding youth are selected as part of the national team from each country travel to the host country, this year, Amarillo, Texas, USA, the heart of Quarter Horse country.

Andrew was lucky enough to be selected as one of members of the  British team who travelled to the States recently to compete at the World Cup events.  Before travelling to Amarillo, the team were fortunate enough to have a weeks visit at the Kyle Ranch, home of Pete and Tamara Kyle, this wonderful opportunity was organised by the British Team Manager, Christy Leach.  This experience was appreciated by all.

Not Just Horses! To give you an idea of how exhausting the schedule could be on arrival in Amarillo, it wasn't just horses... Days could start at 5.30 am, and end around 10-11 pm each evening.  Some of the sites that Andrew and his fellow team members got to experience were a tour of the AQHA Headquarters, steak supper and dance at Pluhar's Ranch, Roller coasters and water rides and supper at Wonderland Park.  A Texas supper and Musical Stage Show in the Palo Duro Canyon.  Supper and shopping at Cavender's Western Wear and Westgate Mall and other tack stores in the Mall as well as supper there.  A mexican supper night at the Rex Baxter Building.  Lunch at the Big Texan.  Dinner and roping demonstrations at the River Breaks Ranch, Pizza and arcade evening and then the Awards Banquet and Dance on the Final Evening, and then there was the horses!

The Horses: On arrival teams met their additional Coach, and well known coach and author, Holly Hover was there to help the British Team.  All teams drew out of a hat their team horses, five per team.  Andrew was lucky enough to have as one of his rides an ex Congress winning Western Pleasure horse that taught him a huge amount. 

And the winners are...:  Over a 10 day period, Andrew and his team members competed in Cutting, Reining, Showmanship, Trail, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle, and Hunt Seat Equitation.

Overall, Andrew feels his highlights include scoring  72.5 in the reining under Judge Todd Crawford, and placing in the Western Pleasure and Western Riding Classes and the team winning their overall bronze medal. 

Andrew has come back from the U.S. brimming with new ideas and says the whole experience was amazing and he learnt so much with all the clinics, and being able to put things into practice in the show pen straight away.  He wouldn't have missed it for the world.

For more news about the Youth World Cup check out the AQHA Website