Organizers have canceled the 2020 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup. Held every two years, the AQHA Youth World Cup is a place for young riders from across the globe to compete against their peers.
The event, which had been scheduled for July 3-12 in The Netherlands, is just the latest major equine event canceled because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). It was to be hosted this year by the Deutsch Quarter Horse Association at the Equestrian Centre de Peelbergen.
The American Quarter Horse Association said organizers made the move to protect the health of exhibitors, coaches, advisors and event staff.
The event takes place in even-numbered years. AQHA is a sponsor of the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup, in which youth riders attend clinics and compete on unfamiliar American Quarter Horses. Each country can send five riders and five leadership team members.
Sixteen teams were registered for the 2020 Youth World Cup: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States.
In previous years, youth competed for gold medals in cutting, reining, horsemanship, ranch riding, trail, hunt seat equitation, hunter under saddle and showmanship.
They did not ride their own horses, which were instead provided for them by the host country for each year’s event.
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