Owner of EponaPR accepted into "Leadership AQHA 2007"

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) sent out their acceptance letters on March 12, 2007; to 17 AQHA Affiliate members from around North America who will make up the Leadership AQHA Class of 2007.

Ontario was actually a long shot, for being involved in this year's class, after having Scott Carmichael successfully represent us in 2006, OQHA was not scheduled to attend this year. Each year AQHA schedules a specific number of affiliates to be part of the program, however it still allows affiliates who are not on the schedule to submit names. Late in 2006 the OQHA board of directors selected OQHA web master Laurie Haughton as the name that they would submit to represent OQHA incase the opportunity arose.

"I was quite surprised receiving my email today from the AQHA Leadership Program director informing me to mark July 9 to 11, 2007 on my calendar as my AQHA orientation session at AQHA headquarters in Amarillo. I knew that there was only a slight chance that OQHA would be chosen to send someone due to it not being our year, and because I never have very good luck at winning anything, I just hoped to be chosen again by OQHA another year when we were scheduled to attend"

The Leadership AQHA is a year-long program that takes promising AQHA members behind the scenes at major AQHA events and shows them how to get more involved. Leadership AQHA Participants must attend: A training session at AQHA headquarters in Amarillo, One industry event, such as the Affiliate Management Workshop, Youth Excellence Seminar, AQHYA World Show, American Horse Council Convention, Racing Conference or AQHA World Show, The AQHA convention, and also participate in online training to further knowledge and understanding of AQHA.

" This is going to be an exciting year for me, helping with the planning of the 2008 AQHA Youth World Cup to be held in Ontario next summer, and now having the opportunity to be part of AQHA's Leadership program, not too mention all the fun stuff we have up our sleeves this year at the EOQHA shows. I'm going to be busy, but I'll be doing the things I love, working with people and promoting the Quarter Horse Industry."

So Just What Is Expected of the Participants After They Graduate?
• To remain in contact with AQHA and their state affiliate and be available for future projects
• To assist in the training of future Leadership AQHA classes
• To be aware of leadership options in AQHA affiliates, AQHA standing committees, AQHA task forces and at the national level.

" I was really excited for Scott last year when he was part of the program, and after talking to him about his experence I became even more interested in getting involved. I've been attending Quarter Horse Association meetings since I was a little kid when my Mom was involved with Area 4, and most of my childhood memories are from horse shows, so it has just been a natural progression over the years for me to keep getting more involved. I love the work I do with EOQHA, and am very happy to be part of the 2007 OQHA board of directors after having worked with them for the past year as web master. I believe that we have a strong network here in Ontario, and that in many ways our's is the epitome of "the Lifestyle" that AQHA talks about. I'll be looking for every opportunity to meet new faces and promote our shows and hopefully bring them here to Ontario!"

For more information on this and other AQHA programs log onto their web site http://www.aqha.com