American Quarter Horse Association continues aggressive initiative for competition, education
Amarillo, Texas, April 10, 2006 – The American Quarter Horse Association is continuing its efforts to encourage and enhance show participation. Last year, AQHA launched the first year of Regional Experiences, and the Association continues with 10 Experiences scheduled across North America in 2006.
Created to encourage participation from exhibitors at all levels of ability in an event branded to the American Quarter Horse lifestyle, Regional Experiences open the doors for anyone who desires to learn more about American Quarter Horses. Regional Experiences blend competition, education and trade show commerce, as well as free test rides, to introduce more people to AQHA and invite previous exhibitors back to the Association.
“Last year’s Regional Experiences were a great success,†said AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer. “Hundreds of riders of varying levels of ability were able to attend the event in their region and learn from AQHA’s most talented clinicians as well as compete with their American Quarter Horses in a relaxed, educational environment.â€
Each of the 10 North American regions has the opportunity to host a Regional Experience for all divisions (youth and amateur, including novice, and open). In addition to competition, each Experience includes educational programs, such as clinics, American Quarter Horse Test Rides, judging sessions, plus nutritional and health seminars. Also, a trade show with vendors offering unique goods and services for all horse lovers will be held during the Regional Experiences. New in 2006, AQHA clinician Curt Pate of Helena, Montana, will teach the principles of starting a young horse and developing a better relationship with the American Quarter Horse.
Each Regional Experience is open to exhibitors and owners residing in the states or provinces comprising the region. Each exhibitor also must be an AQHA member and cannot have placed in the top 10 in the preceding year’s FedEx Open, Bank of America Amateur, Bayer Select or Ford American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship shows and compete in that class at the regional level. However, top-10 finishers may compete in any other Regional Experience class.
AQHA Corporate Partners Farnam, Ford, Fort Dodge Animal Health, John Deere and The American Quarter Horse Journal will be presenting sponsors of the Regional Experiences. Joint sponsors are Nutrena, Exiss Trailer, WeatherBeeta, Montana Silversmiths, Tex Tan and Markel Insurance. All are providing tremendous support for the Regional Experiences.
Exhibitors competing in the show portion of the Experience will receive awards based on their placing. In each region, a custom-designed Montana Silversmiths buckle will be awarded for first; a WeatherBeeta “Rug Sac†containing three unique blankets will be awarded for second; and third-place finishers will receive a pair of Justin Boots.
Professional’s Choice accessories will be awarded to fourth-place finishers. Also, The American Quarter Horse Journal will award a grooming bag to fifth-place finishers. New in 2006, Tex Tan saddles, sponsored by Markel Insurance, will be awarded to novice youth, youth, novice amateur and amateur all-around high-point winners at each Regional Experience. Other awards will vary by region.
All Regional Experience attendees also will have the chance to win other prizes from AQHA and its team of Corporate Partners, including John Deere, WeatherBeeta, Nutrena, Farnam, Justin Boots and Fort Dodge.
Visit www.aqha.com/association/experience/index.html for a complete schedule, updates, frequently asked questions and other AQHA Regional Experience information, or call (806) 376-4811.