2020 Scholarship Winners
Although our 2020 show was canceled due to the Coronavirus, we felt it only right to still reward these hard-working exhibitors with a scholarship.
Please get to know them below!
$1,000 Winners
Jordan Melegari
My name is Jordan Melegari and I am a graduating senior at Northwestern High School in West Salem, Ohio. I will be attending Delaware State University in the fall, majoring in Human Resources and
riding on their Division I Equestrian Team (Go Hornets!). My first year at the All American Youth Horse Show was in 2006 and I have shown there consistently over the last fourteen years. During that time, I have aided in the “Ride The Pattern” clinic and even helped members as they show at their first All American Youth Horse Show. In those fourteen years, I have discovered that the All American Youth Horse show is more than just a horse show, it is a learning opportunity as well as an opportunity to meet new people and form new friendships. Throughout the years, this horse show has brought me many friends, opportunities, and knowledge. I have made friends in the aisle ways, in the warm-up arena and even in the lineup waiting for class placings. The All American Youth Horse Show has given me some of my fondest memories throughout the years.
Aside from the All American Youth Horse Show, I have shown with the Ohio Pinto Horse Association for four years. I am also the 2020 Youth President of the Ohio Pinto Charter and a National Youth Director for Pinto. Aside from showing horses I am a student council member at my high school, take several college classes and I am Northwestern-Wayne
FFA Chapter’s Reporter.
This year, and in years to come, I want to wish the exhibitors of the All American Youth Horse Show the best of luck! I hope each one of you enjoy this show just as I have! I would also like to thank the staff of the All American Youth Horse Show for everything they have done over the years to make this show so fun for the exhibitors.
Kylee Williams
Hi, my name is Kylee Williams. I am seventeen years old and I am a Senior at Northridge High School in Johnstown, Ohio. The All American Youth Horse Show has been a part of my life for thirteen years now and I honestly cannot explain to you how much it means to me. When I started showing here at the age of five, I never knew how far I would come as a person or a rider. The Youth Show has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. I have been riding in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association for seven years now and even have shown the reining. When not showing horses or at the barn, I am studying and doing schoolwork because I am in the top ten rankings of my class and have over a 4.0 GPA that I have maintained throughout all four years of high school. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and my dogs (and yes, I do call my horses dogs).
$500 Winners
Taylor Casanta
My name is Taylor Casanta and I am an 18 year old senior at Columbiana High School in Columbiana, Ohio. While maintaining honor roll status, I have run on and managed the CHS girl’s track team throughout high school.
Winston Churchill once said, “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” No set of words can describe my equestrian career more accurately than these. I have had to overcome many obstacles over the years. The biggest hurdle was saying goodbye to my heart horse, Eagles Mark, in 2018. Due to adversities, I have only shown the same horse at AAYHS the first two years I attended. The All American Youth Horse Show is
easily my favorite show and I look forward to attending every year. Many of my larger achievements have been at AAYHS. It is a great show for youth of all ages and levels to be competitive at, making it something I am proud to be a part of. This year will be my sixth and
final year competing at the All American Youth Horse Show. It is a bittersweet moment that I am excited to be sharing with my current project horse, well pony. For the past two years, I have
been working with and training a five-year-old POA named TS Flashy Zippo, aka “Flashy”. Last year we brought home ribbons from 7 out of 9 classes as well as a Top 5 in the Pony Western
Pleasure Championship and Reserve Champion in the Pony Hunter Under Saddle. I have gained so much knowledge from this experience that helps me both in and out of the saddle. My show
career also includes my nine-year membership in Mahoning County 4-H. I belong to the Rock Solid Riders 4-H club where I have held numerous officer positions. In addition to this, I have also competed at AQHA, PtHA, and POAC breed shows. I plan on continuing my education at an accredited university in the fall of 2020.
I will be majoring in health science/biology with aspirations of entering the healthcare field. While attending college, I plan to ride on their western IHSA team. Although I am sad to close this chapter of my life I cannot wait to start on a new adventure. I would like to thank my parents, friends, supporters, and AAYHS for encouraging me to always be the best I can be.
Aaliyah Speert
I first started showing at the All American Youth Horse show with my pony in 2011 in walk-trot. Since then the youth show has helped me grow and given me a show to look forward to every year. This show has provided me with opportunities to improve my showing career
above the 4-H level. It has challenged me to better my abilities and strive to be better than the year before. Each year I was able to reflect on my areas of weakness. Plus, this show been a platform for me to make lifelong friends. If it was not for this amazing show, I would have never had the confidence or chances to improve to be where I am today.