Team USA selections have been made for the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup competition to be held in Portugruaro, Italy, July 2-10.

Held every two years, the 2000 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup will be the largest ever with 13 countries competing. Team members from the United States qualified during the past two years for competition and had to meet additional leadership criteria established by an advisory committee.

Each country selects five competitors as well as five additional youth who attend either as alternates or for the educational aspects of the event.

Competing members of Team USA are team captain Shannon Dudley of Latimer, Iowa; Katie Forest of Richmond, Texas; Jessica Gunn of Greensburg, Indiana; Ryan Read of Laurel, Mississippi; and Samantha Roper of Hobart, Indiana. Additional members include Tonna Brooks of Canby, Oregon; Heather Servies of Middletown, Connecticut; Amanda Cloudt of Sutherlin, Oregon; Sarah Elder of Maryville, Tennessee; and Jessica Ann West of North Olmsted, Ohio. Team USA will compete against other teams from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland and a combined team from South America