Club Essentials > Youth Clubs
Chartering a Youth Club
Many Regional Clubs attract a large number of young people who want to show horses or participate in other activities with their peers. The APHA has established a Youth Program to meet their special needs. Youth members may participate in an annual Youth Team Tournament held during the Youth World Show, elect directors to the American Junior Paint Horse Association and vote on rules for the AjPHA. Once an APHA-approved Regional Club has been established, its members may want to start a similar club for the young people in the area.
To form a junior club, organizers must apply to a sponsoring APHA-approved Regional Club. The application procedure should include a statement of purpose, a set of by-laws and a constitution. Once the Regional Club approves a youth club, a copy of the application should be mailed to the APHA Director of Youth Activities along with a copy of the minutes of the sponsoring club’s meeting reflecting approval of the formation of the youth club. The Official APHA Rule Book requires the following items for approval of a junior club:
- The junior charter must have a minimum of 10 AjPHA members to form a club.
- Members must be in good standing (dues paid) in the Regional Club, either as a youth or family member.
- Membership must be limited to youth 18 years of age or younger. The age of an individual is based on his or her age as of January 1 of the calendar year and maintained throughout that year.
- Constitution and by-laws of any youth club must be in compliance with the constitution of the American Junior Paint Horse Association and the rules of the APHA as stated in the Official APHA Rule Book.
- The sponsoring Regional Club should appoint an advisor or advisory committee to assist the junior club.
If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Youth Activities at (817) 834-2742, extension 436 or youth@ajpha.com or visit ajpha.com.