The American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) National Championship Show announced the two winning young authors of the Youth Essay Contest in Tulsa, Oklahoma this month. The 2008 winners were Katherine Richey and Allison Payne, each of who was awarded a miniature horse for their efforts. The Youth Essay Contest was open to all current Junior Members of the AMHR.

In the 13 to 17 age group Katherine Richey from Meridian, MS wrote a charming piece on why she would be the best person to win the miniature-weanling buckskin colt. Richey, already well known in her community for rescuing animals, has decided to become a veterinarian. She recently lost both a mare and a foal promised to her by her aunt. This unfortunate event led her to write a compelling essay about why she wanted to win the weanling colt, Cross Country’s Born on the Bayou.

"When I win Bayou, we will train him be a show horse at my aunt's farm.” Richey said with emphasis. “One day, I hope to return with Bayou to AMHR Nationals.”

In strong support of the Youth Essay Contest, Belinda Bagby, of Cross Country Farm and a member of the Board of Directors for the ASPC, donated Cross Country’s Born on the Bayou, a smart looking buckskin-weanling colt for the essay contest. Babgy has donated several top horses to the AMHR essay program over the past few years.

In the 12 and under age group, Allison Payne from Degraff, MN, submitted a clearly defined essay on why she very much wanted a driving horse. Tears flowed from the eyes of the announcer, Mark Bullington, as he read her essay to the audience. Little King Farm graciously donated a trained 5-year-old black driving horse, COH Baccarra Grand Prix, to the Youth Essay program.

Clutching the lead shank tightly, Payne exclaimed, “When I heard I won I was happier that I ever imagined I could be. Minis have given me happiness and opportunities that I might not have otherwise had.”

The two Youth Essay winners wrote with insight about their futures and the part they want to play in owning and showing their small charges. “The Youth Essay contest has become a very special part of our program,” said Zona Schneider, Operations Director for the AMHR. “We don’t announce the winners right away. Instead, we have the winning essays read aloud. It is marvelous to watch the faces of our young authors as they realize their essay is being read and they have won.”

This year the 2008 AMHR National Championship was televised for future programming. “As in 2007, we again take this opportunity to show the world how versatile and fun our miniature horses are,” said Johnny Robb, Marketing Director for ASPC/AMHR. “Our youth essay winners really tug at your heart strings. We are so grateful to Belinda Babgy of Cross Country Miniatures and Marianne Eberth and Robin Mingione of Little King Farm for their generous donation of these quality horses.”

AMHR youth information, awards, activities and youth award applications can be found on www.aspcamhryouth.com. For more information about the American Miniature Horse Registry, visit www.shetlandminiature.com.
Photo: Youth Essay Contest winners flank The AMHR National’s Princess, Kaylee Caldwell. Katherine Richey (L) holds her precious new weanling, Cross Country’s Born on the Bayou, and Allison Payne takes charge of her beautiful trained driving horse, COH Baccarra Grand Prix. (Washburn Photography)

Youth Essay Contest winners flank The AMHR National’s Princess, Kaylee Caldwell. Katherine Richey (L) holds her precious new weanling, Cross Country’s Born on the Bayou, and Allison Payne takes charge of her beautiful trained driving horse, COH Baccarra Grand Prix

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