Fort Worth, Texas - Delegates of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association elected a new slate of officers who will assume their duties following the conclusion of the 2001 AQHYA World Championship Show now taking place in Fort Worth, Texas.

Voting for officers took place Saturday morning during AQHYA's annual general membership meeting. Leading AQHYA for the 2001-2002 year is:

President: Sam Friend, Ozawkie, Kansas
Corresponding Vice President: Kyle DeFreece, Dacula Georgia
Second Vice President: Kirsta Yardley, Morgan, Utah
Secretary: Amanda Lewis, Atwater, Ohio
Treasurer: Amanda Cloudt, Sutherlin, Oregon
Sentinel: Erin Perry, Lees Summit, Missouri

Officers will travel throughout the year to promote AQHYA and its many activities, and serve as a link between the American Quarter Horse Association's Executive Committee and members of AQHYA.

Friend, a native of Kansas has been involved with horses literally all his life. "My mom rode with me the day I came home from the hospital," Friend said. "Having grown up with horses, I think it's the best way for kids to grow up.

"I learned to be more responsible and honest. You can't lie to a horse. The first time you do, they'll see right through you and every time after that."

The newly elected president, who also is captain of high school football team and first chair trumpet in his high school band, is hopeful to increase communication and membership by getting the leaders more active.

"This is a team organization," said Friend. "Everything we do in AQHYA emphasizes that. I really hope that all of the new officers and directors will get more involved and promote that team concept. The last thing we need to do is to attend an event and not do something like meet with people."

In addition to selecting officers, delegates also voted in six new regional directors who will assist AQHYA's Executive Committee in carrying out its duties.

The 2001-2002 Directors, who will represent different regions within AQHYA, are:

Region One: Tonna Brooks, Canby, Oregon
Region Two: Julia Porter, Wahoo, Nebraska
Region Three: Cori Schmidt, Middleburg, Nevada
Region Four: Janelle Herman, Phoenix, Arizona
Region Five: Jessica Sogge, Centennial, Colorado
Region Six: Eli Edelkind, Bradenton, Florida

AQHYA World Championship Show competition began Sunday with preliminary rounds held for cutting, working cow horse and team penning. Finals for those three events will be held today, Monday, August 6. The 2001 show continues through Saturday, August 11.

On Tuesday evening, AQHA Corporate Partner Wrangler will present a free concert with country music sensation Ricochet. The six-member group has earned the Academy of Country Music's "Top New Vocal Group of the Year," and is renowned for their six-part harmonies. The concert will take place at Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum in the Amon Carter Roundup Inn.

To keep up with all the latest AQHYA World Championship Show information, visit www.aqha.com.