What Leadership Means

OQHYA Member Grant Mastin and His Leadership Journey

According to the Oxford Dictionary, leadership is defined as “the action of leading a group of people or an organization.” But what does being a leader truly mean?

In more simple terms, leadership is about taking risks and challenging the status quo. True leaders motivate others to achieve something better than before. The actions of a true leader are fueled by the desire to pursue innovation, not out of obligation. A leader will measure success by their team’s achievements and learning. Ohio Quarter Horse Association youth member Grant Mastin strives every day to be that kind of leader in his own life.

World Champion Title Photo Credit: Shane Rux Photography

Another successful Congress in 2022 for Grant and Hand Made Machine.

Photo Credit: Shane Rux Photography

Born and raised in Jackson, Ohio, Grant inherited his passion for the equine industry from his mother, who showed as a youth and amateur exhibitor. As soon as he could, Grant began his own riding career and has found immense success in the arena. Throughout his youth career, he has won over 25 Champion and Reserve Champion titles at the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) World Show, National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Show, and All American Quarter Horse Congress.

Currently, Grant is in his freshman year at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Ft. Worth, Texas, and competes on his gelding Hand Made Machine in trail and western riding.

Alongside his success in the show pen, Grant has achieved many things outside of the show circuits. He has been a member of the OQHYA Board of Directors and is currently serving as Vice President for the youth association. In 2021, he decided to become involved at the national level, serving as the AQHYA Region 4 Director and as a member of the Public Policy Committee for the 2021-22 term. This past July, at the AQHYA Youth Excellence Seminar (YES), Grant was elected to the position of AQHYA First Vice President and now serves as chairman of the Public Policy Committee.

One of Grant’s priorities for this year and his role on the AQHYA Leadership Team is to increase membership involvement and educate others on all of the wonderful opportunities AQHYA has to offer. This includes YES convention, the Young Horse Development Program, and the Youth Racing Experience, all of which provide hands-on experiences and connection opportunities for youth members across the country.

Only a few months into his term, Grant has already worked to increase involvement by providing resources and encouraging youth members to become more active within their state associations, along with AQHYA. Alongside fellow officer Sydney Sargent and Regional Directors Colton Smith and Lizzi Smith, Grant held a Region 4 TopGolf event in Columbus during the Congress to provide an opportunity for youth members competing at the Congress to socialize and connect. The Region 4 event saw great success, with over 50 AQHYA members attending for an evening of fun amidst the busy Congress youth weekend.

When asked about the leadership opportunities through both OQHYA and AQHYA, Grant detailed the many options. At the state level, youth members can serve as directors or officers within the youth association. On the national level, youth members can first serve as Region 4 Directors, which allows youth the opportunity to serve on one of five committees: Community Service, Outreach, International, Public Policy, or Youth World Show. All committees serve different purposes, but all share a common goal of continuing to grow AQHYA. After serving as a director, youth have the option to run for an officer position and, if elected, would serve as chair of one of the committees.

AQHYA 2022-23 Leadership Team

Regardless of where you are in life or in anything you do, you can never know too much. Never Stop Learning.

Grant took home first while fellow OQHYA member Emma Gore won second Photo Credit: GoHorseShow Grant presenting to fellow youth at the 2022 YES conference.

In 2021, Grant won first and second in the western riding at the AQHYA World Show

Photo Credit: GoHorseShow

Grant’s biggest advice to younger horsemen and horsewomen is to never stop learning.

“Regardless of where you are in life or in anything you do, you can never know too much,” he says. “Having said this, my next piece of advice is to never become complacent with where you are. There is always room for improvement, and you should always look for ways to grow. My final advice is to become active with anything you can and work to make positive changes within the world.”

Grant prides himself on living by the statement “give more than I get.” That mindset has definitely served him well in becoming the true leader he is today.

Dr. Scott Myers

AQHA’s 72nd President

Ohio’s First-Ever AQHA President