Arizona in the Saddle | Page 9

Arizona Horseman’s Challenge Introduces Youth Mentorship Program at Verde Valley Equine Festival 2014 T he Arizona Horseman’s Challenge is introducing a new mentorship program geared to promoting and acknowledging the development and practices of good horsemanship qualities. This program pairs junior trainers ages 13-18 with a seasoned mentor. The youth chosen will have the task of putting an additional thirty days of training on the top three colts selected from the Arizona Horseman’s Challenge. This year’s participants are Gunner Tillemans with mentor Brian Bausch, Cambree Swink with mentor Jody Swink, and Brittney Busich with mentor Sara Boland. The activities will take place April 4th, 5th & 6th, at the Cottonwood Equestrian Center. Go to www.verdevalleyequinefestival.com for more details. Photo by J. Tanner Arizona Horseman’s Challenge Presents May Auction of Colts from April Event F resh from the 2014 Verde Valley Equine Festival will come the opportunity to own a colt from the Arizona Horseman’s Challenge. Colt’s have been provided by the Lazy M Horses, and the entire 8 Foundation horses will be auctioned at Orme School in Mayer, on Saturday, May 10th. Five of the colts will have intense training sessions during the event by Arizona trainers in the April competition, and by 3 Junior Trainers from the Mentorship Program offered by Arizona Horseman’s Challenge. For more information regarding the colts, the completion and the auction, go to www.verdevalleyequinefestival.com. continued on page 28 AZintheSaddle.com April 2014 9