The Rising Star program recognizes exceptional young AQHYA members for their hard work, dedication and passion for the equine industry.
AQHYA President Adriana Totten of Chester, New Jersey; AQHYA Past President Justin Eddy of Rocheport, Missouri; and AQHYA Executive Committee Member Sydney Sargent of Paris, Kentucky, will be featured in the Equine Network’s 2022 Rising Star program, brought to you by the American Quarter Horse Association. The 2022 Rising Star program will stream October 9-15 during an equine-centric digital festival.
The Rising Star program recognizes exceptional young AQHYA members for their hard work, dedication and passion for the equine industry. The program runs alongside Equine Network’s second annual Horse Week event, brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim, which also highlights the amazing leadership and community being fostered throughout the industry.
Adriana Totten is currently serving as the president of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association. She is active in AQHYA committees, serves as committee chair, is a prolific leader and active in youth service projects. She and her American Quarter Horse, One Lazy Time, compete in AQHYA events, but her main focus is to lead her fellow AQHYA members to become involved in the association and make a difference for the future. Totten’s leadership style of inclusivity and kindness brings out the best in those around her and empowers them to reach new heights. Totten feels blessed to have the opportunity to be the voice of the AQHYA industry and cannot wait to see what the AQHYA leadership team accomplishes this year.
Justin Eddy is currently a sophomore at the University of Missouri studying agribusiness management. He has had the opportunity to grow as a leader and horseman through AQHYA by serving as the past Missouri Quarter Horse Youth Association president, competed in national speech contest, horse judging contest and most notably served as the 2020-21 AQHYA president. Eddy was also recognized as the 2021 Wrangler Aspire Award recipient. His leadership skills run beyond AQHYA as he also served as the Missouri state FFA President. Eddy brings energy, leadership skill and thoughtful insights to every endeavor that make him a highly effective leader that continually guides the Association to benefit its youth. In the arena, Eddy competes with his American Quarter Horse, Xtra Wimpy Voodo, with the duo securing the 2022 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show reining world champion title.
Sydney Sargent currently serves as an AQHYA executive committee member and the president of her local affiliate. She also served as an AQHYA director and is a resource for her fellow members to reach out to. She is committed to growing and sustaining AQHYA membership and has submitted and lobbied for rule-change proposals that improve activities for AQHYA members, including the addition of all-around titles to the 2022 Ford AQHYA World – the first time all-around titles were awarded in the event’s 50-year history. Sargent was also the first 13-&-under year-end high-point award. Sargent’s knowledge and commitment inform her passion to make rule changes improving the AQHA experience for youth everywhere, and foster real progress in the Association.
AQHA is the largest equine breed registry in the world with more than 230,000 members in over 130 countries. AQHA maintains current statistics on ownership in each state and country, as well as American Quarter Horse population figures. AQHA’s role in preserving the integrity of the breed is expanding daily. Whether American Quarter Horses are still being used in traditional ranching operations, for showing, racing or pleasure, AQHA strives to provide services beneficial to all association members and ultimately the American Quarter Horse.
Just as AQHA serves to unify the American Quarter Horse community, Horse Week connects people and businesses within the equine industry. This fall, Horse Week – an equine-centric digital festival unlike any other – will air on HorseWeek.tv. With help from title sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim, riders and horse lovers of every level and discipline will enjoy high-quality educational and inspiring content.
This week-long viewing experience includes profiles on incredible equine athletes, equine storytelling that celebrates the horse-human bond and heartwarming tales of horse heroics. Riders will get valuable takeaways and advice from world-class trainers.
“Horse Week has brought together dozens of equine associations and organizations for one singular cause: celebrate the horse,” said Dave Andrick, Equine Network vice president of data and content sales. “With so many other equine groups joining the movement to help support Horse Week, the event helps raise the industry as a whole!”
Horse Week can be streamed for free from October 9 to 15 on HorseWeek.tv. Tune in from the barn, office or the comfort of your couch. The Equine Network is making it easy to watch from any smart device.
About Equine Network LLC
Equine Network’s membership services are designed to entertain, support and inform the equine community, and include unique tech-enabled services for horse owners, live equestrian events, innovative content and engaging digital experiences. For more information, visit www.equinenetwork.com.
About the American Quarter Horse Association
Located in Amarillo, Texas, AQHA has registered more than 6 million American Quarter Horses and serves more than 230,000 members worldwide. AQHA functions as the official recordkeeping and governing body of the American Quarter Horse industry. AQHA’s role in preserving the integrity of the breed is expanding daily. Whether American Quarter Horses are still being used in traditional ranching operations, for showing, racing or pleasure, AQHA strives to provide services beneficial to all Association members and ultimately the American Quarter Horse. To learn more about the AQHA, visit www.aqha.com.
AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.
Contact:
Sarah Davisson
AQHA Director of Communications and Events
mediainquiries@aqha.org