Yee Ha Horse Show Immerses Youth In Equine Genres

Thirty eight youth riders, from ages 6 to 18, took over the Golden Mile Arena this weekend for the Yee Ha Equestrian Games.

The games featured two days of clinics followed by a two day show.

The objective of the four day event is to get youth riders of varying abilities immersed in a variety of genres in the equine world.

Hayley Moats, one of the event’s organizers, said the four day event was about getting youth involved in equine sports.

“The show is about brining youth together to work on horsemanship skills. It’s about team building. Making friendships for life. To try new things in the horse world. Getting kids out,” Moats said.

Although the show had a respectable 38 riders the show would like to expand but at the same time not radically change the culture of the event.

“We have to make sure we keep it fun and awesome as we already have it.”

With the drop in entries in horse shows - due to increasing costs - organizers did their best to keep costs low so everyone could afford to attend.

Yee Ha is not designed to be a big money maker but rather to introduce youth riders to a wide spectrum of equine events.

“Our clinicians all came for hardly any money. Our judge came for hardly any money. We got a whole bunch of sponsorship to come so we can keep it super affordable for people to come.”

Having 38 youth riders was described by Moats as “a perfect turnout.”

Youth who attended had varying riding experience - from grassroots to multiple awards winners.

For example in the barrel racing event there were riders who were just learning as well as regular barrel racers.