Over the past few days, more than 200 AQHA youth members gathered in Amarillo, Texas to attend the Youth Excellence Seminar. “YES” is held every year in Amarillo, home to the American Quarter Horse Association. The seminar strives to bring the youth of our Association together in order to develop leadership skills and create lifelong friendships. In addition to a variety of speakers and activities that strengthen the ties of the youth, the elections for national directors and officers are held. 

The AQHYA Executive Committee for 2012-2013 is Mark Mowbray, President; Jordan Boyd, Vice President; Bailey Mierzejewski, Secretary; Austin Halvorson, Treasurer; and Lauren Diaz, Sentinel. Congratulations to all!

With the elections over, GoHorseShow.com's Peyton Bivins interviewed newly elected AQHYA President, 17 year-old Mark Mowbray of Rhodesdale, Maryland. For those of you who may not know Mark, he competes in the Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship and Halter under the guidance of Jamie Morrow and Nate Whaley. Mark is also a member of this year's AQHA Youth World Cup team.

Q: Hi Mark! First off we would all like to congratulate you on becoming president of AQHYA! What does it feel like to be the new AQHYA president?

A: Thank you, Peyton. It is truly an amazing feeling to know that I am in the position that I'm in. I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity. I don't believe it has really sunk in yet. But I am very excited.

Q: Would you mind explaining to us how the election worked during the YES conference?

A: We had to get through our regions first. In Region Five, my region, we had eight candidates for the three director positions. After a close race, I thankfully got through it. The next day we had our Officer elections. We went up, one by one, to present our speeches in front of our 200+ crowd of fantastic youth members, and distinguished parents and youth advisors. After that, they went through each position and told us who was chosen following the elections. It was a very emotional time. I have had so much support from my friends as well as people I have never even met before. I really appreciate that.

Q: Do you have any immediate plans you wish to enact as AQHYA president?

A: Yes, I want to carry on what our previous officers started. Last year we all worked together tirelessly to get our goals accomplished. I will work closely with our team of Officers and Directors to keep our traditions strong. I want to increase the education among the younger (leadline/walk-jog) members of AQHA. They are our future, and we are their role models. I also want to continue to work with our Public Policy Committee to continue the hard and fulfilling work that started last year. But for now I can promise that there will be more to come.

A: Well, like I said before, I will truly miss the previous Officers and Directors. The new group has some very big shoes to fill. With the departure of people like Abigail Pait, Britt Lynch, Logan Pluhar, Sarah Ann Pendergraft, and Chantz Stewart, it's hard to forget that close knit family that we had. I hope this new group can feel like they are welcome to join our family. We are still figuring each other out and become closer through our teamwork. We are not rebuilding this team, we are reloading it.

Q: Tell me about the next few days, what will you all be doing to build your strength as a team?

A: We will be working on our leadership techniques and learning how to bond together as one unit. I look forward to working with this group and getting a lot accomplished during our terms.

Peyton: Thank you so much Mark! We wish you the best of luck and know that you will be a wonderful leader for the American Quarter Horse Youth Association!

Mark: I hope you all have a great year! I will see you all along the road. Thank you!

Watch for my profile on Mark as we get closer to Youth World Cup time!