MISSOURI PAINT HORSE CLUB      
Youth

MjPHC HOST “Preparing for Success” Clinic

The annual Missouri Junior Paint Horse Club “Preparing for Success” Clinic was held on March 15 & 16 at Indian Creek Stable in Wright city, Missouri . The damp and cold weather did not dampen the spirits of the participants although some teeth were chattering and there were plenty of red noses. Eight riders worked with Clinician Carley Veldman in showmanship, equitation, horsemanship and trail. Carley, of Colbert , Georgia , was a fantastic instructor and worked well with the riders and their mounts.

Thanks to Jani Bittner, Indian Creek Stable owner, for her hospitality. She furnished muffins and coffee and she and her son grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch. We also want to thank Amy Comparato for donating the use of her audio PA system for the Clinic.

Lastly, a great bit THANK YOU to all of those who participated in the Clinic, including the parents and trainers, several of whom traveled from the Kansas City area. This Clinic would not be possible without you.

For more information about the Missouri Junior Paint Horse Club, visit the YOUTH section of the MPHC website: www.missouripainthorseclub.com.

Front: Janet Deckman, Olivia Mack, Noelle Mack, Morgan Harrison & Carley Veldman. Standing with horses: Cody Noeller, Nicole St. Clair and Sarah Strouse

Kristen Caraway Elected as Zone 5 Representative
At the Ft Worth, Texas, AjPHA National Convention

Congratulations to Kristen Caraway, current MjPHC President, on being elected as the AjPHA Executive Committee Zone 5 Representative for 2008.

As Zone 5 Representative Kristen will be available to all youth. If you have questions, concerns, an idea to help promote the AjPHA youth members, feel free to contact Kristen at carawayacres3@embarqmail.com, call her at 816-690-8563 or write her at Kristen Caraway, 40306 E Nivens Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075-9781. Kristen will present your input to the AjPHA Executive Committee.

MISSOURI JUNIOR PAINT HORSE CLUB
NATIONAL DIRECTORS
2007 – 2008

Blair Bergeson
Kristen Caraway
Mary Katelyn Cirese
Cody Franklin
Morgan Harrison
Olivia Mack
Kensy Maxwell

Missouri Junior Paint Horse Club is
named AjPHA Club of the Year

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—What do you get when you put together six youth who
are born leaders, who strive to serve their community and who have a
tremendous love for Paint Horses?

The Missouri Junior Paint Horse Club officers! These six youth, with the help of their Youth Advisor, Debbie Neer, lead the Missouri Junior Paint Horse Club to capture the title of American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) Club of the Year. The 2006 club officers are Blair Bergeson, President; McKenzie True, Vice President; Kristen Caraway, Secretary; Cody Franklin, Treasurer; Olivia Mack, Reporter; Morgan Harrison, Scrapbook Chairperson.

“It was a great accomplishment,” said Neer. “It’s almost like a full-time job, but it is good training for the kids and I really enjoy doing it.”

“We were all so excited when we heard the news,” said Bergeson. “To me, this award means that we have a group of dedicated youth in Missouri who are willing to put forth the time and effort needed to make our activities and organized events a success.”

Bergeson is a junior at Cole Camp High School and has been president of the MjPHC for four years. This year she will step down from the president position and assist Debbie Neer as the Junior Youth Advisor.

Clubs competing for this prestigious award each create a scrapbook that is judged on a 150-point scale by the youth committee at each year’s Workshop. The scrapbooks are judged on several categories: community service, participation in non-horse related activities, education, participation in the Presidential Service Project, club meetings, club information, newsletter information, club promotion, fund-raising, horse show activities and over all presentation of the scrapbook.

The Missouri Junior Paint Horse Club went above and beyond the expectations. A few of their outstanding accomplishments should not
go unrecognized. Education: The MjPHC hosted a “Preparing For Success” clinic with Brent Harnish as the clinician. He gave information on showmanship, horsemanship and trail classes.

This was the first year the club awarded a $1,500 scholarship to a member of the Missouri Paint Horse Club who graduated high school in 2006. This recipient was Hannah Engelbrecht of Eugene, MO. The Missouri Paint Horse Club gave $500, the MjPHC gave $500 and an anonymous donor gave $500. They plan to continue this award in years to come.

Community service: Last fall, the club created a fun, unique class called Get Back Showmanship, where people nominated others to be in the class. Exhibitors had to dress up and other people bet on the success of their favorite participant. This class raised $500, which was donated to the Red Cross Katrina Relief fund.

Fundraising: A candle sales campaign will help youth members attend the Youth Membership Conference this fall. Sweatshirts and t-shirts sales also helped raise money for the club, as did a consignment sale.

“This contest is a great way for regional clubs to involve their junior members in the club’s yearly activities. It also encourages the clubs to include activities that will provide the Youth with a strong work ethic, help them build a sound moral character and instill them with important core values,” said Betsy Francis, the Director of Youth Activities for APHA.

The AjPHA Club of the Year received a $250 gift certificate from the APHA General Store.