Team USA Defends Title in Youth World Games

Contributed Courtesy APHA

Results from APHA’s highly anticipated 2021 Youth World Games, postponed a year due to the pandemic and held virtually due to international travel restrictions, were announced today during the European Paint Horse Championship in Kreuth, Germany. When the (virtual) dust settled, Team USA successfully defended their title, narrowly edging out Team Germany for the top spot.

Eight teams from Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and the United States competed, submitting video entries in showmanship, horsemanship, huntseat equitation and ranch riding. Overall placings are based on a compiled score; in teams with five members, the lowest score is dropped.

Team USA, 40 points, Team Members: Antonia Dinulescu, Josie Eckert, Katelyn Daniells, Lauren Gralla, Mannetta McAvaddy, Coach Pat Trebesch and Manager Dustin Boehmer.

Every other year, this international event brings our youth members together in fun and friendly team competition—this time virtually—for prizes and bragging rights. Each member of the top three teams receives a Gist Silversmiths trophy buckle.

What APHA President Alison Umberger says: The Youth World Games present such a unique opportunity to bring together young Paint Horse competitors from around the globe. Although the teams were not able to come together in person this year, the opportunity for our international youth to go head to head with their U.S. counterparts provided another fierce competition as well as a highlight to many youth careers. All competitors should be proud of their accomplishments and we look forward to welcoming the Youth World Games teams back to EuroPaint in 2022.

Full results are available online and can be found on the Youth World Games webpage at apha.com/international/events/youth-world-games/.🎠