The Congress Journal:
Area 3 Youth Tell their Tale

It is with great pride that Area 3 helped to sponsor two of our youth members as they headed down to Columbus, Ohio this past October to join up with their teammates from the Ontario Quarter Horse Association. Their goal: to represent Ontario in the National Youth Activity Team Tournament (NYATT) at the Congress. To offer some insight into a day in the life of Congress, they have provided us with a journal of their experiences.

AMANDA PEREIRA:

The 2004 All-American Quarter Horse Congress was a blast! This year I was showing in two classes NYATT Showmanship and Youth 15-18 Showmanship. The Ontario Congress Youth Team consisted of Megan Patterson, Cayley DeBrouwer, Jesse Hepburn, Laura Kaufman, Jessica Hammer, Tausha Hellyer, Brittany Grant and myself. Kathy Patterson was our Team Adviser, she did a great job of organizing events for the team to take part in. Like the pizza dinner with The Eastern Ontario Team and Our Families.

Showing in the NYATT events is more fun than the regular classes as you have the support of your Team. This year The Ontario Congress Team placed fifth over-all. Thanks to Brittany for her Second & Ninth Place finishes in Barrels, Megan’s Fifth Place finish in Showmanship and Jesse for making The Finals in Hunter Under Saddle. Jesse making the finials was one of the highlights of the show as she had a big beaming smile on her face her whole ride.

This Congress was however very special to me, as it was my last show with “Im Being Coy Next” AKA: Masey. I have owned and shown Masey for six amazing years. I could not have accomplished so much with out the help of: Barb & Jim Lockyer, Kim Allen, The Goldings, Rick O’Donnell, Dave Aitchison, Rick Fleetwood & Robin Storey, Diana & Tausha Hellyer, My Parents and My Fellow Competitors. As well as, Area 3 for allowing me to attend such wonderful shows over the years. Although it was sad to see her go, she is going to a beautiful new home with Dave and Judy Hickey, were she will be bred to “Awesome Mr Te” next year.

Attending this year’s Congress was made possible by many generous sponsors, Area 3, OQHA, Dr. Bob Yantho, Mark Grice and Paul Wolf Electric. Thank you for all your support.

TAUSHA HELLYER:

As the year of 2004 comes to a close I reflect back on the exciting events of the year. The one thing that stands out in my mind would be this year’s trip to Ohio to compete at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.

This year’s team represented Ontario at its highest standards; with each member’s performance in the ring was one of their best. The first class of the tournament was the NYATT Barrel Racing. Brittany Grant competed on two different horses and managed to rank in the top ten on both receiving a 2nd and an 9th place finish. Megan Patterson and Amanda Pereira competed in the morning, along with Brittany although in a different arena, in the NYATT Showmanship. Megan and her horse ended up in the top ten placings as well receiving 5th place. The rest of our team put out there greatest efforts, although the competition out beat their runs. Following the Barrel Racing in the Coliseum was the NYATT Horsemanship, which Jessica Hammer and Laura Kaufman competed in. Following their class in the Coliseum was the NYATT Western Pleasure, which Cayley DeBrouwer and Jessica Hammer competed in. And last but not l! east following their class was the NYATT Hunter Under Saddle, which Jesse Hepburn and myself competed in. I showed in the very first split. My horse Phenomenal Zip and I put out our best efforts, although our run did not go completely as planned resulting in too many faults to bring us back to the finals. Overall team Ontario was heard, not only in the placings but also in our team spirit outside of the ring. Cheering on each of our team members and helping each other try to put out the best performance they can. This year our teams hard work paid off and we ended up in the Top Five teams of the tournament. We placed 5th overall out of a total of 88 teams from across the globe. Our overall placing was announced later on that night at the Team Parade and Ceremonies. During these ceremonies each team parades in one by one and are announced. This year our walk in was proud and exciting, we stood out as true and original. We each received belt buckles and jackets from the generous sponsors of this event as well we were then announced as receiving 5th place. Overall the NYATT competition was an educational and fun experience that the entire Ontario Youth Team will never forget!

I would like to personally thank Area 3 for supporting my fellow teammates and myself to allow this experience to happen. We are all extremely grateful for your generous donations, without them our journeys would not have been possible! Thank-you so much!