The Texas Amateur State Championship Show was held in Waco, Texas, April 24th through the 28th in conjunction with the Big Country Quarter Horse Association Show. The judges for the show were Holly Hover, April Devitt, Casey Devitt, Steve Meadows, Jeffrey Pait, and Lance Treptow.
“It was wonderful to see so many people my age out having a great time,” says Shirley Phillips, who is a select amateur who won the circuit award in Select Showmanship with her horse, Im Zippos Image. “Friday was Bruce and Cindy Walquists thirty-third anniversary and several of us joined them for a celebration dinner–good food with good friends! Thank you Waco and TQHA for a perfect weekend.”
According to several reports, the Select and Amateur classes were larger than the Youth which surprised many since it is so close to the end of qualifying for the AQHYA World Show. One thing that really stood out to several competitors was the caliber of competition and horses in the Junior Trail. Overall, TAQHA made everyone feel very welcome and put on a great show.
Amateur competitor, Hope Elizabeth D’Alessio of Brownwood, Texas agrees, “The amateur classes stayed consistently in the 20
plus size range and the other classes were large as well,” says Hope,
who received four circuit championships at the show. “I was talking with
Angela Fox about how we were surprised at the size of the amateur
equitation this year. It was definitely a fantastic turnout and super
competitive.”
CLICK HERE to view the candids by Eric Mendrysa of Emajes Design and sponsored by Rodrock Ranches.
