Rural Ambassador and Youth

RAS Youth NZ was initially formed in 2012 after the RAS Executive identified the need to actively seek initiatives in order to involve youth in the showing movement.

RAS Youth NZ is organised into 6 separate portfolios with specific targets and objectives. The portfolios are: Stock Handling and Judging, Networks, Education, Social, Rural Ambassador and Sponsorship Funding.

RAS Rural Ambassador

The RAS Rural Ambassador competition has been in existence since 1998, but many may have known it under several different names. The competition has gone from strength to strength each year and is a very important competition to the organisation.  This is one avenue the Next Generation for the A&P Showing Movement can come from, and this has been evident in the past.

As always, no competition of this prestige can survive without our generous sponsors and supporters – thank you to those A&P Associations/Societies who have supported this competition.

2026 Award

Finalists for the 2026 Award are from Northern, Mid-Northern, Central and Southern districts.
All finalists delivered their speech at the Annual conference last weekend, topic being:  What inspired your application to the RAS Rural Ambassador Programme, and how do you add value to the RAS both now and in the future?

CONGRATULATIONS to all finalists
Northern: Deana Barfoote
Mid-Northern District:  Joanna Fowlie
Central District:  Georgina Woods
Southern District:  Elizabeth Graham.

SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to Georgina Woods, 2026 Rural Ambassador winner.

Photo – Geoff Smith (Judge and RAS Past President), Sophie Kirk (2025 RA Winner and Executive Member), Georgina Woods (2026 RA Winner), Elizabeth Graham (Southern District), Deana Barfoote (Northern District), Joanna Fowlie (Mid-Northern District), and Paul Vanner (Executive Member).

• Applications will open for the 2027 Rural Ambassador Award on 1 February, with entries closing on 31 March 2027.

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RAS Equestrian Youth Squad

For any enquiries on the RAS Equestrian Youth Squad, please get in contact with the RAS Head Office by emailing enquiries@ras.org.nz.