Leah and Mandy: AQHA Young Horse Development Program 2020

31/12/2021

It’s been a while since I’ve posted an update but Mandy and I have been busy!

All summer we worked on ground driving, long lining, and lunging. We attended a couple county wide clinics, one of which was a trail obstacle clinic. Mandy was so good with the bridge!

In July we competed at the Anoka County 4-H Horse Training Competition in level 3, which is ground driving and lunging. We learned a ton from the judge! We placed first and earned a trip to the MN 4-H Horse Show in September.

In September, we travelled to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds to compete at the Minnesota 4-H Horse Show against a group of amazing horses and youth in Training Project Level 3! Mandy was the calm horse around all the anxious horses, and she did amazing being stalled in the Horse barn. I was definitely more nervous than she was, so she helped me stay calm and focused enough to earn 2nd place in Level 3. I’m so blessed with this amazing horse and how much she has taught me!

Mandy got a little break while I figured out PSEO classes, but in October I rode her for the first time! She was curious yet calm. The first ride, my brother led us around at the walk. It was short and sweet.

The second ride, my brother started by leading us. We walked and trotted with him, but eventually we went off by ourselves at the walk.

Third ride was more recently. We walked, trotted and loped. I just let her do her thing and made it a good experience. The video is attached. Big thanks to my brother Aaron for videoing and coaching me through it.

The rides after that were all amazing too! I rode her at all three gaits. We worked in smaller circles, mainly just focusing on having a good ride. We did more with responding to pressure from the bit and turning.

I am loving riding the Stirrup brand. Thank you Stirrup Ranch Quarter Horses!

Congratulations the 2021 program participants for their hard work and dedication, and best wishes to the 2022 program participants!

-Leah Goldade

20/02/2021

Promoting an event near and dear to my heart:

💥Winter Round Up 2.0💥

Come join this FREE virtual event February 27-28th featuring motivational speaker and paralyzed barrel racer Amberley Snyder! Registration closes this Wednesday February 24th.

Things to look forward to:
-Keynote speaker Amberley Snyder
-Equine related career panel
-fun games with prizes
-Sessions and activities to grow your horse knowledge and leadership skills

More information: https://extension.umn.edu/event/4-h-horse-winter-round-20

Winter Round Up 2.0 Virtual will be held Saturday, Feb. 27th and Sunday, February 28th. This a 2-day online conference for youth and adults who love horses. Keynote Speaker: Amberley Snyder, a nationally ranked barrel racer whose career was nearly ended by a paralyzing car accident. Hear her inspiring story. Pre-registration is required by February 24th. To learn more click here https://z.umn.edu/winterroundupevent

06/02/2021

Mandy is getting BIG!! She’s on the right😜

16/01/2021

11/01/2021

Go vote for Shirley Wetz photo of Stirrup Ranch Quarter Horses! They are the breeders I received Mandy from. Scroll down on the bottom of the link to vote.

Enter by January 29! The top photos will be featured on AQHA’s social media platforms, on AQHA.com and as the AQHA Facebook timeline cover.

31/12/2020

As this year draws to a close, I thought I’d give one final 2020 update as well as a brief overview for my future plans with Mandy.

Although I continue to do basic groundwork and spend time with her, Mandy has been getting some time off. She has gotten a lot bigger and continues to constantly change colors😜. It’s crazy to think that she was the size of Macho (on the left) last year this time.

Right before the YHD program ended I entered Mandy in the Horseback Riding Program, which is a record keeping system through AQHA that allows you to log hours and win prizes. Since tracking through there, Mandy and I exceeded 25 hours working together and received the patch pictured below. The HBR Program is a great way to keep records, and I highly encourage tracking training sessions with it. There are Quarter Horse and All Breeds categories, so you can do it with any breed!

Finally, My goals for Mandy for winter/spring 2021 are to teach her to ground drive and start her under saddle. I plan to make SMART goals to help us achieve these.

This year has been a blessed one and I look forward to seeing what is next for us!

Happy New Year! Stay safe and God bless you,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

25/11/2020

I am both honored and humbled to announce Shiny Candy Meow and I earned second place in the 2020 AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program!

There are so many people to thank for making this possible!

My family and friends were so supportive and encouraging throughout the process. Whether you filmed a video assignment, pulled the trailer, or offered an uplifting word, please know your help was appreciated and I am forever grateful for you!

These past nine months the program participants have become my friends. They are all such driven youth who are going places with their yearlings. I am thankful for their encouragement and wish them happy trails ahead!

A big shoutout to the AQHA staff, AQHYA board, Ranching Heritage Breeders, Professional Horsemen, and past participants. You helped us youth grow our knowledge and provided a platform for us to expand our skillset. Thank you!

Now, LeRoy and Shirley Wetz. Thank you for supporting such a unique and amazing youth program, and for keeping the Ranching Heritage Bred Quarter Horses authentic. You two have made such a positive impact on my life. It is truly a blessing in itself to know you both. Shiny Candy Meow is one solid, smart horse, and I am so excited to ride the stirrup brand in the near future!

Congratulations to all! Because of this program we are all rich with new skills, knowledge, and abilities. All glory be to God!

Leah Goldade and Shiny Candy Meow



https://www.aqha.com/-/young-horse-development-scholarship-winners-1

Four AQHYA members earned a total of $5,000 in scholarships through the 2020 AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program.

19/11/2020

One year ago today I brought Mandy home, excitedly waiting for the 2020 AQHA Ranching Heritage YHD Program to begin. I guess its true what they say "time flies when your having fun." Thank you LeRoy and Shirley Wetz for donating Shiny Candy Meow. Owning and training Mandy truly has been, and continues to be, an opportunity of a lifetime.

08/11/2020

Since the YHD Program ended in early October, I've been getting into the swing of things at school and Mandy has been growing up and filling out. We've mainly been reviewing yielding the hindquarters, front end, and poll, as well as side passing.

On Friday Mandy got her two wolf teeth taken out! She was pretty sleepy😜. Since her teeth are removed, I can now start bitting her. My plan is to teach her to ground drive and then start riding her in early 2021.

Stay safe and God bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

30/09/2020

Last year I saw a picture of a nice looking bay roan and told my brother that this filly was my dream horse. After being accepted into the 2020 AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program, I was matched up with a breeder. Due to prior commitments, getting a horse from that ranch didn’t work out. I felt like this was a sign to let go, but the staff worked hard to match me with another breeder. A few months later I found out my dream filly was the weanling that was going to be graciously donated to me by LeRoy and Shirley Wetz at Stirrup Ranch Quarter Horses. Talk about a blessing in disguise!

Now, almost a year later, I am wrapping up the last few program assignments and reminiscing on this past year. Shiny Candy Meow has been a blessing in so many ways. She has taught me numerous life lessons I will forever cherish. She humbles me and lifts my spirits at just the right moments. I am forever grateful for this filly and the opportunity to participate in this program alongside many other passionate and driven youth. I am excited to ride the stirrup brand in the coming years.

I want to extend my gratitude to all the people who impacted us on this journey. Whether it was hauling us somewhere, filming program assignments, or offering an encouraging word, thank you!

LeRoy and Shirley Wetz, thank you for providing me with an exceptional quality yearling to learn and grow with. It is truly a blessing in itself to know you both.

Stay safe and God bless,

Leah Goldade and Shiny Candy Meow

24/09/2020

Here is the long-awaited blooper/outtake video from my video update to Mandy's wonderful ranching heritage breeders LeRoy and Shirley Wetz!

https://youtu.be/bdgHDpO6HnU

Enjoy!

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

Here is the long-awaited outtake and blooper reel from the first five months with Mandy. Enjoy! Leah and Mandy are participants in the 2020 AQHA Ranching Her...

18/09/2020

Mandy and I have been very busy the past couple weeks!

✅Mandy got her hooves trimmed as part of a horse care video for Minnesota 4-H (she was a little camera shy😜.) Here's the link: https://youtu.be/0ADr5q91fqo

✅We practiced and completed the In-Hand Trail Course assignment. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/ExS5WDhGexY

✅We completed Step 1 and 2 of the Minnesota 4-H Horse Training Program, which was one of our program goals. As part of the process I filled out essay style questions and talked with my county's Horse Training leader about horse health, training, and care. Mandy and I also demonstrated showmanship and lunging maneuvers.

I would like to thank the friends and family who helped set up and record these assignments, as well as JoAnn Falkers for signing off my Minnesota 4-H Horse Training Program achievement book. These past nine months wouldn't have been possible without all your support!

Stay safe and God Bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

06/09/2020

Mandy and I have been pretty busy finishing up YHD assignments and crushing goals!

One thing we've improved on this week is upward and downward transitions on the lung line. Mandy feels softer through the line and I have become more aware of my body language. The next step is nailing down correct leads and changing directions!

We've also been practicing the pattern requirements for our In-Hand Trail Course assignment. Some of the obstacles we complete are walking and trotting over ground poles, performing an extended walk, weaving through cones and barrels, and backing through a hay bale chute. Mandy is getting the hang of things. The future is bright for this filly and I am so blessed to be a part of it!

Stay safe and God bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

29/08/2020

Mandy and I closed out August with a photoshoot!

It was a wonderful month full of learning and growth. Our time in this program has been well-spent, and it is sad to think there is only one more month left until the 2020 Young Horse Development Program is done.

That being said, I am eager to continue cultivating my skills alongside the many wonderful youth well past September's end!

Stay safe and God bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

Picture credits: Jenna at ShutterStockinger

22/08/2020

Mandy and I have been busy preparing for and completing our last couple YHD program assignments and goals! To do so, we have been:

✅Walking and trotting in-hand over ground poles.

✅Working on standing quietly while alone in the trailer.

✅Practicing various in-hand and lunging maneuvers.

✅Bonding as a team and learning together.

It's crazy to think that the 2020 program ends in a month already! I am forever grateful for the amazing people I met and lessons I learned through the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program. As Mandy and I continue to learn, lead, and grow together, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported us on our journey.

Stay safe and God bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

11/08/2020

Mandy and I competed in our first ever AQHA show!

We showed in Yearling Mares and Showmanship. Mandy was very distracted but we pushed through and even placed first in a class! It was a great experience for the both of us.

While at the show I met with 2019 YHD participant Courtney Stanek to compare our program fillies. Mandy is the same height as Courtney's two year old, Ivory! She is going to be big!

This weekend Mandy reminded me how important it is to stay in the moment. Find joy in the little things, for one day you will look back and realize they were big things.

I owe a huge thank you to my dad for bringing me and to Stirrup Ranch Quarter Horses (LeRoy and Shirley Wetz) for breeding and donating such a wonderful horse. We couldn't do this without your support!

Stay safe and God bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

29/07/2020

Mandy and I had our Professional Horseman Session with ProHorseman Bonnie Minor on Monday! Bonnie was amazing! Besides evaluating us, she taught me a ton about the training industry! Mandy was a rockstar through it all. My brother and I were so intrigued we forgot to take pictures until afterwards😜.

I am so incredibly blessed to own and train this amazing filly. Thank you Stirrup Ranch Quarter Horses!

19/07/2020

Mandy and I have been learning lots!

On Wednesday evening we attended our local 4-H Horse Training Project meeting. We worked on yielding at the poll, pivoting, in-hand transitions, squaring up, and walking straight. Throughout the night Mandy calmed down and even tried to roll in the soft sand.😬

Mandy was also shown in a yearling halter class judged by our local 4-H Horse Judging Team. She placed first!

We hope everyone is staying safe and God bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

13/07/2020

Mandy and I had quite the weekend!

On Sunday we competed at our first show. The new environment was pretty nerve-wracking at first, but we both calmed down. After completing our showmanship pattern, Mandy got her hooves trimmed. Overall it was a great experience for the both of us!

Besides the show environment, Mandy experienced two baths and noisy clippers around her ears, legs, and face. She was a trooper through it all!

Another highlight of our weekend was meeting 2020 AQHA Ranching Heritage YHD participant, Emma Fehlen. Emma, you and Chata did amazing at the show!

Also, a big thank you to 2019 AQHA Ranching Heritage YHD participant Courtney Stanek for coming out and supporting me! You rock!

I hope everyone is staying safe and God bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

30/06/2020

A couple weeks ago I was interviewed for an article about 4-H going virtual. A photographer came to take photos of me training Mandy. It was such a cool experience!

We showcased what we have been working on this past month: lunging, showmanship, yielding, and bowing. It was also Mandy's first time being ponied since February... she did great!

During the interview and photo session, I was asked about Mandy and the AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program. The employees were amazed! Being in this program is a great conversation starter.

Stay safe and God bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

Loss of county fairs forces 4-H to seek alternate ways to showcase projects, animals

23/06/2020

Mandy and I had some fun shooting blanks today!💥



*safety recommendations were considered*

17/06/2020

💥Mandy experienced the sizzle, smoke, and scent of smoke bombs.💥

Her behavior was phenomenal considering it was her first time around smoke!



*Safety recommendations were followed*

10/06/2020

😎It's summer time!☀️

🌱Mandy is growing like a w**d. She is almost fourteen hands tall! Her tail is gaining volume and her hair is super sleek. I can't wait to see her when she fills out more!

💥We've recently been working on desensitizing, in-hand transitions, and showmanship maneuvers. We are having tons of fun together!

We hope everyone is staying safe! God bless,

Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

30/05/2020

💥Finishing off May with some good ol' desensitizing!💥

27/05/2020

💥Applications for the 2021 AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program are OPEN!!

Why should you apply?

✅ Meet amazing people from around the country!

✅Raise and train a quality Quarter Horse weanling that is yours to keep!

✅Compete for prizes and scholarships which a total $5,000!

✅ Grow in your leadership and horsemanship skills!

✅Become more involved in AQHA and the horse industry!

Find the application here- https://www.aqha.com/youth/programs/young-horse-development

Hey everyone, the 2021 YHDP applications are out now!
This program is so fun and your horse will teach you a lot. It’s a great way to learn more about training, and you get the opportunity to compete for $5,000 total in scholarships! Along with other great prizes for the top 10!
To apply for the 2021 Young Horse Development Program go to AQHA.com on the left of your screen will be a menu button after you press that you will see a tab that says youth, select that and then programs will come up and Young Horse Development should be at the top. I highly recommend this program to anyone who either wants to take a big step in getting started with owning your horse, or have had a lifelong passion for horses and want to take the big step and train your own.
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https://www.aqha.com/youth/programs/young-horse-development

*You must be 12 by January 1 2020 to apply for 2021.
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22/05/2020

Just a few pictures of Mandy and her best bud "macho man"😍

17/05/2020

Here’s a time lapse of Mandy and I working on bowing, ground tying, desensitizing, side passing, backing up and pivoting.

This video is a perfect example of how you can change the plan while keeping the original goal in mind. I was planning to work on bowing, but I noticed Mandy needed a refresher on yielding first. After working for a while she was able to side pass with very little to no pressure on her side. We ended up having such a good day that I never actually asked for a bow again. I improved my horsemanship skills, we both exercised our patience, and Mandy was very responsive. That’s what I wanted to accomplish.

11/05/2020

For the past few years my brother and I have travelled to elementary schools to teach about horses. The kids are always excited to sit in the saddles and touch the brushes (even if they smell like a barn😜).

This year, COVID-19 forced schools to move online. Despite the current situation, we still wanted to connect with the youth. Using Mandy as an example, we filmed a virtual lesson about grooming, anatomy, hoof care, and breeds. Mandy and I then appeared on a live video chat to answer student's questions about horses.

Mandy was well behaved in the video, but during the live chat she may have pulled back a few times😬.

The children seemed to enjoy it and I loved being back in the classroom. The ability to connect with others via electronics is a blessing in itself!

I hope you all are staying safe and sane!

God bless,

-Leah and Shiny Candy Meow

06/05/2020

We want to say a huge thank you to all the amazing people working hard during this pandemic. Ya’ll are so appreciated!👏🏻

-Leah Goldade and Mandy

05/05/2020

☀️Mandy and I thoroughly enjoyed the warm days this past month. Between walking over tarps and working on showmanship maneuvers, we found time to crush a few goals!

✅Trailered for the first time since November 2019! She loaded like a champ!💪🏼

✅ Celebrated Mandy's first birthday! I brought her an apple, but apparently not every horse likes apples💁🏼

✅ Lunged in a round pen for the first time!🏇

✅ Learned how to ground tie! This was pretty challenging for Mandy because she is very cuddly!😜

I would like to say a big thank you to my family for being so supportive. You guys rock!💥 I also want to thank Mandy's breeders, Leroy and Shirley Wetz, for making this all possible. Every day with this horse just keeps getting better and better, all thanks to you.

Stay safe, God bless,

Leah Goldade

24/04/2020

I got a wonderful surprise from a friend! And, might I say, it is pretty darn cute!😍

Axel Mae Clothing Company designed and printed a t-shirt for my birthday. Lydia is one talented young lady!

20/04/2020

☀️April has been a blast so far! Mandy and I have been enjoying the warm sunny weather (and the snow🤔) while we work.

Recently, I have been trailering Mandy to an indoor arena. Although I let her run loose while I ride, she trots and lopes at my hip as if I were pony-ing her.😜

Mandy got her teeth floated last week. She was very groggy afterwards! I enjoyed asking questions and learned a ton from my vet! I am extremely grateful for the numerous education opportunities I find in the horse community.

Mandy learned how to back out of a trailer a few days ago! She was a little skeptical at first, but she figured it out. She continues to open my eyes with her opinionated personality!

23/03/2020

💥Mandy is shedding!💥

☀️She is losing lots of her darker bay hairs and turning whiter by the day! I am so excited to see her when she's done! ☀️

Big thank you to Shiny Candy Meow's breeders Leroy and Shirley Wetz of Stirrup Ranch Quarter Horses! (check out that hat😉)

14/03/2020

💪🏼Hitting' off March with a hit to the hand💪🏼

Yep, I broke my hand.

BUT that didn't stop Mandy and I from having a lil' photo shoot!

📸Picture credits: Lydia Jones