Participants Selected for 2026 AQHA Youth Racing Experience
Seven AQHYA members will receive a firsthand look at the American Quarter Horse racing industry.
The 2026 AQHA Youth Racing Experience provides American Quarter Horse Youth Association members with a firsthand look at the American Quarter Horse racing industry.
The national event allows participants to build on the knowledge gained during a regional racing experience or jump directly into the racing industry by working one-on-one with an experienced trainer during the three-day AQHA Racing Challenge Championships.
Participants receive an all-expenses-paid trip to gain firsthand experience in the racing industry. They will be paired with professional racehorse trainers to experience daily life in a racehorse barn. In the afternoons, participants will attend informational sessions covering various aspects of the racing industry, including the roles of stewards and announcers, the starting gate, jockeys’ room and test barn. They will also attend an AQHA Racing Committee meeting.
The 2026 participants are:
- Gretchen Wynthein of Fishtail, Montana
- Lainey Kate Barker of Shallowater, Texas
- Madison Fletcher of Cedar City, Utah
- Madison Jaynes of Belton, Texas
- Megan Waugh of Fort McMurray, Alberta
- Molly Tibbits of Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Savannah Hanson of Pikeville, Tennessee
In addition to gaining valuable education and behind-the-scenes experience, participants will compete for cash awards. Cash award recipients will be announced at the conclusion of the 2026 AQHA Youth Racing Experience.
Learn more about the program at AQHA.com/youth-racing-experience.
AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information visithttp://www.aqha.com/news.
–AQHA
