Four AQHYA members earned a total of $5,000 in scholarships through the 2025 AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program, presented by SmartEquine and John Deere.

Since January, American Quarter Horse Youth Association members have recorded their progress training yearlings bred by an American Quarter Horse Association Ranching Heritage Breeder. Recently, four AQHYA members were named scholarship winners through the 2025 AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program, proudly presented by SmartEquine and John Deere.

In first place, earning a $2,000 scholarship and custom belt buckle from Montana Silversmiths is Jessi Petrin of Weatherford, Texas, with her filly, DC Cowgirls R Shady. DC Cowgirls R Shady is a 2024 grullo filly by Deeper Shade of Blu and out of Cowgirls Getha Blues by Huerfano River Blue. The filly was bred and donated by Durrett Cattle Co. of Wildorado, Texas.

Second place goes to Rowan Myers of Anacortes, Washington. She receives a $1,500 scholarship and a Justin Boots gift certificate. Myers worked with KT Skip Into Cowtown, a 2024 chestnut colt by KT Hottimein Cowtown and out of Miss Hollowpoint by Young Gun. KT Skip Into Cowtown was bred and donated by the KT Ranch of Connell, Washington.

Addison Saterbak of St. Paul, Minnesota, was third with her filly, SQH Sakpa Ruby. The 2024 sorrel filly is by Sampsons Boy Six and out of Squaw Adrift by Tailorwood. The filly was bred and donated by Schofield Quarter Horses of Philip, South Dakota. Saterbak receives a $1,000 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler product gift certificate.

Fourth place goes to Robert Culwell of Louisville, Mississippi. He receives a $500 scholarship and a $100 Wrangler product gift certificate. Culwell worked with Brassy Big Sky, a 2024 red dun filly by Noble Colonel and out of Justa Big Sky Dun It by Big Sky Dun It. The filly was bred and donated by the Waters Ranch of Utopia, Texas.

“The Young Horse Development Program connects youth members with quality Ranching Heritage-bred horses and walks them through a detailed record-keeping program for nine months,” said Katie Reynolds AQHA director of youth development and AQHYA. “Participants keep their horses at the end of the program. But just as important, this program challenges youth to build a solid foundation for their horsemanship education and skills that apply to any future career path. In turn, their experience in the program turns into a valuable set of experiences that will carry them forward as members of our industry.”

The Young Horse Development Program was created to give AQHYA members an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of horsemanship. Since the program’s inception in 2011, nearly 500 horses have been donated, with an estimated value of $1.9 million. The horses used in the program are bred by AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders, which are ranches whose remudas must consist of American Quarter Horses used primarily to work cattle. The ranch must own at least five American Quarter Horse mares that are used to produce the remuda, and the ranch must have received at least an AQHA 10-year breeder award. The participating Ranching Heritage Breeders donate weanlings for the program participants to evaluate, raise and train. Young Horse Development Program participants get to keep their horses.

“We are very grateful to our Ranching Heritage Breeders for their continued support of this program,” said Karen McCuistion, AQHA senior director of member programs. “Through their generous donations, we are able to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a group of very deserving youth participants.”

To learn more about the program, visit www.aqha.com/young-horse-development.

About the Program

The Young Horse Development Program participants raise their weanlings-turned-yearlings and document their monthly progress; participate in webinars; complete monthly management assignments; track goals; engage in mentoring sessions with local AQHA Professional Horsemen; and compile videos of themselves with their horses completing assignments including trailering, an in-hand trail pattern and more. Following project completion, a select number of scholarships and prizes are awarded.

About the Sponsors

John Deere is a leader in manufacturing, distributing and financing a full line of agricultural, consumer, construction and commercial equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has maintained a heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation. And John Deere is proud to support the American Quarter Horse Association. Members can qualify to receive discounts of up to 28% on select John Deere equipment including: lawn and garden tractors, compact utility tractors, Gator utility vehicles, commercial mowing equipment and much more. For details on the exclusive equine member discounts on John Deere equipment, call 866-678-4288 or visit johndeere.com/equine.

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