Youth Dates & Deadlines
The Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association is a division of OQHA just for members 18 years old and under. OQHYA members can participate in shows and compete for a spot on Ohio’s AQHYA World Championship Show Team and Congress National Youth Activity Team Tournament team, as well as earn points toward year-end awards. OQHYA offers Judging, Hippology, Horse Bowl, and Speech teams for Youth members that look to broaden their skills and knowledge. Youth members are even eligible to receive scholarships!
The OQHYA encourages its members to be active both in the show pen and outside of it through numerous fundraisers and volunteer efforts held each year. Ohio youth are encouraged to try out for the World Show Team and Congress NYATT team, as well as get involved by attending meetings and running for office.
For more information about the Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association contact:
OQHA
6325 Quarter Horse Drive
Columbus, OH 43229
614-505-7200
OQHA Scholarships
The Ohio Quarter Horse Foundation provides opportunities for deserving OQHA or OQHYA members who wish to further their education in a college, university, or other institute of higher learning. For more information, click here.
2026 OQHA Youth Timeline
Month |
Day |
Description |
| January | 15 | American Quarter Horse Foundation Scholarship Applications Due |
| January | 16 | 2026 Youth Google Forms Due |
| January | 19 | OQHYA Meeting - OQHA Office | 7pm |
| January | 28 | Voting for OQHYA Board Deadline |
| February | TBA | Declaration for AQHYA World Show |
| February | TBA | Start of Qualification for AQHYA World Show and NYATT |
| February | 7 | OQHA Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet |
| February | 15 | OQHA Scholarship Application Due |
| February-March | 27-1 | SOQHA The Challenge - Springfield, OH |
| March | OQHA Scholarship Interviews | |
| March | AQHYA Affiliate Information Form Deadline | |
| March | TBA | OQHYA Meeting |
| March | 13-16 | AQHA Convention, Las Vegas, NV |
| March | 20-22 | OMIQHA Warm Up Show - Springfield, OH |
| April | 9-12 | Equine Affaire - Columbus, OH |
| April | 10-12 | EOQHA Spring It On Show - Springfield, OH |
| April | 14 | OQHYA Meeting - Zoom | 6pm |
| April | 20-26 | AQHA Level 1 East Championship - Wilmington, OH |
| April | 30 | AQHYA National 2025 World Show Qualifying Period Ends |
| April-May | 30-10 | SOQHA The Madness - Wilmington, OH |
| May | AQHYA Hardship Application Due | |
| May | 4 | OQHYA Meeting - The Madness World Equestrian Center 4095 OH-730 Wilmington, Ohio 45177 Time TBA |
| May | 15 | Wrangler ASPIRE Award Application Due |
| May | 15 | Registration due for Youth Excellence Seminar |
| May | 15 | Application, Resume, Essay, Candidate's Platform, Letters of Recommendation, and Photograph of Candidate for AQHYA Officer and Director Due |
| May | 17 | Mt Trail Challenge - Waynesburg, OH |
| May | 22-24 | NOQHA Spring Extravaganza - Findlay, OH |
| May | 25 | NOQHA Level 1 Show - Findlay, OH |
| May | 27-31 | Buckeye Reining Spectacular - Springfield, OH |
| May | 30-31 | Fulton County Saddle Club - Wauseon, OH |
| June | TBA | OQHA Annual Picnic |
| June | 1 | AQHYA Officer and Director Candidate Speeches and Workbook Deadline |
| June | 5-7 | OMIQHA Summer Sunsation - Columbiana, OH |
| June | 10-14 | NOQHA Summer Six Pack - Findlay, OH |
| June | 17-21 | Mt Trail Challenge and OQHA Annual Trail Ride - Waynesburg, OH |
| June | 26 | OMIQHA Level 1 Show - Columbiana, OH |
| June | 27-28 | OMIQHA Amateur/Youth Show - Columbiana, OH |
| June | AQHYA World Show Entry Deadline to AQHA | |
| July | The Power of YOUth: AQHYA Programs | |
| July | TBA | OQHYA Meeting - The Smiths |
| July | 1 | Wrangler Youth Leader of the Year Nomination Deadline |
| July | 8-10 | Youth Excellence Seminar (YES Conference) - Amarillo, TX |
| July | 11-14 | The Little Buckeye - Columbiana, OH |
| July | 17-19 | BWHA Classic - Findlay, OH |
| July | 31 | Last Day for Qualifying Points for 2025 AAQHC NYATT |
| July-August | 27-9 | AQHYA World Championship Show - Oklahoma City, OK |
| August | NYATT Team Entries Deadline | |
| August | 1-2 | Mt Trail Challenge - Waynesburg, OH |
| August | 25 | Entry Deadline for the 2026 All American Quarter Horse Congress |
| August | 28-30 | NOQHA Fall Extravaganza - Columbiana, OH |
| August | 31 | OQHYA Meeting at 7pm - OQHA Office |
| September | 11-13 | EOQHA Fall Classic - Columbus, OH |
| October | No Youth Meeting | |
| October | TBA | 50/50 Raffle Selling at Congress PBR |
| October | TBA | 50/50 Raffle Selling at Congress Freestyle Reining |
| October | 31 | 2027 OQHYA Officer and Director Candidates Biography Deadline |
| November | 23 | OQHYA Meeting at 7pm - OQHA Office |
| December | No Youth Meeting | |
| December | 31 | AQHLead Application Deadline |
