The world meets in Fort Worth

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Competitors at the AQHYA loosen up right before they go into the show ring. -- Photo by Mindy Poehl

August 18, 2005 - The American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) World Championship is the largest single-breed youth horse show in the world, and it was held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth Aug. 6-13.

This year, the "Sky's the Limit" was the theme as 1,143 AQHYA members nationally qualified to compete in the event. The Youth World is the ultimate event for AQHYA members, as contestants are drawn from across the globe to compete for 32 world championship titles.

The countries represented at the show were the United States, Canada and Israel. This year, there has been an increased number of national qualifiers per class. Hunter under saddle, working hunter, hunter hack and equitation over fences classes have seen the most dramatic jumps in numbers, averaging about 14 more national qualifiers per class than last year.

Renee Dikse, from Rockwall, and her horse Slow N Fluid competed in three competitions at this year’s show. -- Photo by Mindy Poehl

Texas is the state with the most AQHYA members, totaling 3,301, followed by Ohio with 1,866 members and California with 1,577. Texas is also the state with the most exhibitors, making up 186 out of 866 exhibitors.

One competitor from Rockwall, Texas is 18-year-old Renee Dirkse. Dirkse and her bay gelding, Slow N Fluid, competed in Western Riding, Western Pleasure and Horsemanship (results pending) at this year's Youth World show.

With the help from her trainer, Terry Cross of Riverside Ranch in Weatherford, Dirkse and Slow N Fluid (also known as Fred) are dominant competitors. They have nationally qualified for the Youth World every year under the guidance of Cross. In 2004, the team finished 9th in the nation in Youth Western Pleasure. So far in 2005, Dirkse and Fred have won high-point honors at the Forth Worth Stock Show, San Antonio Stock Show and Houston Stock Show, as well as the Midwest Quarter Horse Spring Fling Circuit Champions in Western Pleasure and Western Riding, Arizona Sun Country Circuit Champions in Western Riding (out of 55), and are currently ranked 2nd in the nation in Western Riding.

"I've been riding horses since I was 12," Dirkse said. "But, I wanted a horse ever since I was little. I've always loved horses."

As Dirkse grew older and stronger at competitions, she was finally matched with Slow N Fluid, who was the Western Pleasure Reserve Congress Champion. Since they have become a pair, Dirkse and Fred have finished 3rd five times in Western Pleasure at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress.

Dirkse, who is a recent graduate from Heritage Christian Academy in Rockwall, is more than an athlete. In high school she was historian of the National Honor Society, Yearbook editor, photography state-qualifier, honors graduate and a member of the Rockwall County Youth Advisory Committee.

Dirkse will attend Texas A&M in the fall where she will be a member of the Varsity Equestrian Team.

"It is going to be difficult, but I am ready for the challenge," Dirkse said. "My training at Riverside Ranch and AQHA competition has prepared me for what lies ahead."