By Laurie Haughton, Chair, CQHA Media, Marketing & Communications Committee

It’s not every day that a few Canadian teens board a plane to Texas and return home with a renewed sense of purpose. Yet that’s exactly what happened this July, when three Alberta youth delegates represented Canada at the 2025 American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) Youth Excellence Seminar (YES) in Amarillo.

Thanks to the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) International Travel Grant Program, Reese Stone, Megan Waugh, and Briella Schroeder didn’t just attend — they immersed themselves. Over the course of three high-energy days filled with leadership workshops, community service, and cross-cultural connection, they joined more than 200 youth from ten different countries at what became the largest YES event in over a decade.

Each of them returned to Canada changed: energized by possibility, shaped by shared experience, and inspired to lead.

For Megan Waugh, the impact was immediate. Prior to the conference, she put her name forward as a candidate for AQHYA Region 11 Directorship. By week’s end, she had been elected.

L-R: Briella Schroeder, Megan Waugh, and Reese Stone pictured inside the AQHA headquarters located on 1600 Quarter Horse Drive in Amarillo, Texas. Photo courtesy of Megan Waugh

“I honestly didn’t expect to win,” she reflected. “But I knew I had something to offer, and I wanted to try. Win or lose, I knew I would grow from the experience.”

She also came away with a vision for the future. “There’s so much more we could be doing here in Canada. We can start small — organizing events for younger riders or sharing youth stories online — but the key is to start.”

Reese Stone echoed that same spirit of initiative and connection. “Even though we were from Canada, people included us in everything,” she said. “It made me think about how we can create that kind of community here at home, too.”

For 13-year-old Briella Schroeder, the youngest of the group, the experience was both exciting and empowering. “The number of international people who attended was surprising — but in a good way!” she shared. Her favourite moments included Neon Night and the banquet, but it was the interview workshop that left a lasting impression. “I stood up three times and spoke in front of the room and overcame that fear. I was proud of myself, and it was actually really fun.”

L-R: Reese Stone, Briella Schroeder, and Megan Waugh pictured in front of Megan’s campaign board at the YES convention. Photo courtesy of Megan Waugh

All three delegates returned with fresh ideas and a sense of responsibility. Briella hopes to see more collaboration across disciplines in the Canadian Quarter Horse world — and more welcoming spaces that go beyond show and ranch. “More variety, more inclusion,” she said simply. Reese agreed, saying, “We were included in everything… I didn’t feel like I was out of place.” That sense of belonging has sparked new conversations about how to create more inclusive and connected experiences back home.

Their leadership didn’t end in Amarillo. Upon returning to Canada, Megan Waugh stepped into a new role as Youth Facilitator for CQHA’s newly formed Provincial AQHA Affiliate Engagement and Transition Task Force. With support from Reese and Briella, she will help lead a series of virtual youth outreach sessions designed to better understand the needs, ideas, and aspirations of young Canadians across the Quarter Horse community.

Dates for virtual meet-and-greets and brainstorming sessions will be announced on CQHA’s social media channels @cndquarterhorseassoc. Youth from across the country are encouraged to participate.

CQHA First Vice President and AQHA Youth and Young Adult Committee member Laurie Haughton summarized their collective impact:

“The leadership shown by Megan, Reese, and Briella is grounded in reflection, action, and a genuine desire to make space for others. They stepped into this experience with open minds and left with a stronger sense of purpose; not just for themselves, but for their peers. Megan especially understands what it means to show up, represent, and then look around and ask, ‘Who else can I bring with me?’ That’s the kind of leadership our industry needs. We’re incredibly proud of all three for stepping forward, supporting one another, and showing our community what’s possible.”

CQHA encourages other Canadian youth to follow their lead by applying for AQHYA programs, attending next year’s YES Conference, or even running for office.

The door is open — and the time is now.

Canadian Quarter Horse Association

Main Photo: L-R: Briella Schroeder, Reese Stone, and Megan Waugh pictured in front of the AQHA Hall of Fame and Museum’s stature of multiple AQHA World Champion and Reserve World Champion winning mare, Sacred. Photo courtesy of Megan Waugh