Awards

AYHC Award Recipients

AYHC Leader of the Year Award Recipients

2001    Patty Kelley, Pennsylvania
2002    Ethel Miller

2003    Mary Fay, Vermont

2004    Ethel Coleman, Pennsylvania

2005    Will Swierenga, Wisconsin

2006    Pamila Cronkhite, Washington
2007    Nancy Kissel, Wisconsin

2008    Jo Gelinas, New Jersey

2009    Debbie Manring, Ohio

2010    Sabrina Ginn

2011    Sherri Thornton, Maine

2012    Becky Osimowicz, Alaska

2013    Joe & Linda Pribek, Wisconsin

2014    Elaine Keir, Florida

2015    Barbara Nagle, Florida

2016    Tom McBeath, Mississippi

2017    Betsy Ullrich, Pennsylvania

2018    Connie Seekins, Alaska

AYHC Distinguished Service Award Recipients

  • Julie Kimball

  • Ray Antoniewicz

  • Ed Roberts

  • Christy Landwehr

  • Bill Culbertson

  • Dr. Melvin Brady

  • B.F Yates

  • Pat Comerford

  • Kent Sturman

  • Ashley Griffin

  • Robert Mowery

  • Norm Luba

  • Jeanne Griffin

  • Julie Fershtman

  • Nancy Kissel

  • Dr. Karen Waite

  • Deb Hagstrom

  • Debbie Manring

  • Meg Sax

  • Dr. Jenifer Nadeau

AYHC Student Leader of the Year Award Recipients

2006    Jodi Lenhart, Pennsylvania

2007    Laura Akerlund, Wisconsin

2008    Kelly Peterson, Wisconsin

2009    Christine Whittier, Minnesota

2010    Ashley Ball, West Virginia

2011    Weber Stibolt, Maryland

2012    Jade Kutzke, Minnesota

2013    Connor Farley, West Virginia

2014    Abby Sankovitz, Minnesota

2015    Paige Gabrielson, Minnesota

2016    Madeline McEachin,  Pennsylvania

2017    Reagan Stephens, Oklahoma

2018    Aaron Goldade, Minnesota

Youth Equine Industry Connections Award Recipients

formerly AYHC Partnership Award

2016    United States Pony Club, Inc for National Youth Congress

2018    Miami International Riding Club

AYHC Partnership Award Recipients

  • Certified Horsemanship Association

  • Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, Florida

  • Reins of Life, Indiana

AYHC LEADERSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM

The American Youth Horse Council is dedicated to recognizing those individuals and programs that enhance the lives of youth through their involvement with horses. Each year we recognize a Youth Leader of the Year (an adult leader of a youth equine program), a Student Leader of the Year ( a youth, age 14-18, who demonstrates leadership), and an AYHC Partner (an equine-related program that best helps kids “connect through horses.”)  The awards are announced at the annual AYHC Symposium each year. The deadlines for these nominations is October 15 each year. Corresponding applications are listed below.

 

The person making the nomination MUST be an AYHC member. Membership may be submitted at time of nomination.


AYHC Leader of the Year

This annual award recognizes the adult leader who best exemplifies outstanding leadership to young people within the horse industry. This award is presented each year during the annual AYHC Symposium. The AYHC Leader of the Year nominations are due October 15 each year.

 

 

AYHC Student Leader of the Year

This annual award goes to the student leader (age 14-19) who best demonstrates outstanding leadership to their peers in the equine industry. This leader introduces newcomers to the industry, mentors young horsemen and promotes the equine industry within their local community, in fun and innovative ways. The AYHC Student Leader of the Year nominations are due October 15 each year.

 

 

AYHC Youth Equine Industry Connections Award

The American Youth Horse Council seeks to recognize programs or organized activities that help build strong youth leaders within the equine industry. AYHC is seeking nominations for the annual Connections (formerly titled Partnership) Award. This award recognizes the organization that best provides leadership and inspiration to young people in accordance with AYHC’s mission of “connecting kids through horses.” The winner of this award is announced each year during the AYHC Symposium. The AYHC Connections Award Nominations are due October 15 each year.