RULES OF THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE YOUTH WORLD CUP
The American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup is an educational, leadership-based
event where youth from every country have the opportunity to demonstrate what they
have learned during the week by competing in a variety of classes. Youth members
from around the world compete in each of 8 classes over a ten-dayperiod. The
culmination of the event is a showcasing of skills learned in an atmosphere of friendly
competition. It is a unique opportunity for youth to learn in a “hands-on” setting with
other international youth.
RULES AND INFORMATION
1. Competitors can be 19 or under as of January 1, 2023, for the 2023 YWC ONLY.
For show purposes, the age of an individual on January 1 of the current year
shall be maintained throughout the year. Competitors must be members in good
standing of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association at the time of the
event.
2. A team will consist of minimum two riders and a maximum of five members and
one team manager and/or coach. The team manager/coach must assume
responsibility as chaperone for their team and will be housed with the team. In
addition, a Team may bring up to five additional youth to serve in a Leadership
role. These additional members may not ride their Team’s horses, unless they
are declared a reserve and are activated. Leaders or reserve riders may assist in
preparing for Showmanship.
3. Each country shall govern its system for team qualification; however, youth must
qualify over a two-year period.
4. Competitors from the host country may not ride a horse he or she has previously
ridden in 2021 – 2023.
5. Every Coach/Manager is required to complete and sign the Coach’s Agreement.
Each Coach/Manager is responsible for their Team’s adherence to all timetables,
safe practice sessions and agrees to ensure all horses are treated humanely.
Each coach will be notified by the YWC Oversight Committee of any violations
and penalty.
HORSE SELECTION
6. Competitors will use horses they have never ridden. Horses will be grouped
according to their ability. The groups of horses, along with their show record
information will be assembled by the Youth World Cup Oversight Committee.
This is to ensure each team is provided with horses of equivalent caliber.
7. Each team will draw a group of horses before practice begins. Each team will
have a minimum of three days to practice prior to the first show. Horses used in
reining and cutting will provided the day of competition. Show schedule will be
determined by the host country. Circumstances may result is management
altering schedules due to weather, time restraints, or acts of God.
8. Each horse must be shown in at least one class excluding cutting and reining
horses. At the discretion of show management and based on number of horses
available, number of exhibitors could be adjusted. A horse is only allowed to be
shown once in a class, per AQHA rules.
9. No adult or professional trainer may ride the horses at any time during the
duration of the event or the practice period before the shows. If the advisory
committee made up of stewards, clinicians, and management feel that a horse
needs attention from a professional trainer or is requested by a team coach and
committee agree it is need, the horses needs will be addressed by professional
trainer only.
10. In circumstances where a horse in a group may become lame or unable to be
used, another horse may be substituted for the team. Substitute horses will be
chosen by the Youth World Cup Advisory Committee made up of representatives
from each country.
11. Horse Care is very important to the AQHA and to The Youth World Cup LLC.
Each day there will be stalling inspections, and bystanders in the public that will
be observing the attention and care that the team provides for the horses and a
Best Care Giver Award will be given daily.
RULES OF THE COMPETITION
12. The competition will consist of two “shows.” An exhibitor riding a horse in the
first show is not required to compete on the same horse in the second show.
13. The following classes will be held over two days:
• SHOWMANSHIP AT HALTER
• WESTERN HORSEMANSHIP
• HUNTER UNDER SADDLE
• HUNT SEAT EQUITATION
• RANCH RIDING• TRAIL will be conducted the same day as Reining.
• REINING will be conducted the same day as Trail.
• CUTTING will be conducted on a separate day all in one day with two
judges per show, each exhibitor can only show once.
14. Three* members from each team may compete in Showmanship, Hunter Under
Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation and Western Horsemanship.
15. Two* members from each team may compete in Ranch Riding, Trail, Reining and
Cutting.
The host country may provide five horses per team, along with reining
and cutting horses, and the class entries adjusted accordingly if horses
are in limited supply.
* The number of exhibitors may change depending on availability of horses.
16. Combined scores from the two shows, lip sync, scrap book, art contest, and
break the internet contest will determine the final YWC team standing.
17. Each event will be Placed 1st-10th and 11th-15th Finalist 1st place -15pts, 2nd
place 14pts, 3rd place-13pts, 4th place-12pts, 5th-11pts, 6th- 10pts-7th-9pts, 8th-8pts, 9th-
7 pts, 10th-6pts, 11th-5pts, 12th-4pts, 13th-3pts, 14th-2pts, 15th-1pt
JUDGING OF THE EVENT
18. One judge per show will be used for all classes except Cutting. Cutting will be
two judges per run. The two judges’ combined scores will determine the overall
placings.
19. In instances where class procedures vary between countries, the pattern or
procedure used for the class will be at the judge’s and show management’s
discretion.
20. A tiebreaker judge will be drawn before the first show for each class. The
procedure used to break ties for team standings will be as follows:
A) the team with the most first place wins.
B) the team with the most second place wins; and finally.
C) if the first two procedures do not break the tie, both teams will be
declared tied for first place.
EQUIPMENT RULE
21. Rules regarding legal equipment and attire will be as outlined in the 2023 AQHA
Official Handbook. Any exceptions to rulebook must be approved by the Youth
World Cup Advisory Committee and show management.
22. The 2023 International Youth World Cup shall be managed by the staff of Broke
Girls Show Management, an AQHA-approved show management company . Any
protests or grievances shall be filed with the persons above, then taken to the
Youth World Cup Oversight Committee and their decision shall be final. Forms
will be available in office.
23. Competitors, owners, coaches, and all other participants must agree to accept
the facility and grounds, including, but not limited to, the arena, stalls, and
alleyway, where the event is to be conducted on an “as is” basis. They must
agree to be solely responsible for property damage or personal injury caused by
third parties or themselves, to the competitors, owners, coaches, and their
property. They must further agree to indemnify and hold the American Quarter
Horse Association (AQHA), clinicians, volunteers, show management, and Youth
World Cup Committee, harmless for any and all such liability, whenever and
however arising, not caused by AQHA’s own negligence or that of AQHA agents,
representatives or employees.
24. The host country will secure two approved judges for the event.
FEES FOR COMPETITION
25. The fee for a competing team of five youth plus one manager or coach is $8700.
Each country is required to submit a deposit of $3,000 prior to July 1, 2022 to
secure rooms. An additional deposit of $3,000 is required prior to March 31,
2023. Balance of the fee is due upon arrival. Refunds may be given up to 30
days before the event. No refunds will be made thereafter. A Team may bring
an additional manager and up to 5 non-competing individuals at a cost of $1,100
per person if registered and pay a deposit of $500 prior to March 31, 2023.
These fees will cover the cost of housing, food, and transportation while on site
for the event.
CONDUCT GOVERNING COMPETITORS
26. Any participant whose action or behavior is found by the management of the
event to constitute misconduct shall be automatically suspended from further
participation in the event and forfeit all awards earned.
27. Misconduct means that conduct unbecoming to the dignity of AQHYA and the
International Youth World Cup or conduct in contradiction of the objectives and
purposes of AQHYA as set forth in Article 1, Section 2(d) of its Constitution: “...to
encourage high moral character, sportsmanship and clean living among all its
members.” Attendees are expedited to dress appropriately for the events
attending. Any attire considered inappropriate will result in removal from event
attending until it can be resolved.
CLASS RULES FOR SHOWMANSHIP, HORSEMANSHIP, EQUITATION, RANCH
RIDING, HUNTER UNDER SADDLE, TRAIL, CUTTING, AND REINING WILL BE
AS OUTLINED IN THE 2023 AQHA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK. 