On December 1, 2014, the American Quarter Horse Association announced that Level 2 classes will be offered at the 2015 AQHA World Championship Show. The Level 2 classes will be offered in a one-go-round format. Awards will be presented after the conclusion of each Level 2 class. The top 10 placings and five finalists will be awarded in each Level 2 class.
“By adding Level 2 championships to the AQHA World Show, more horses and competitors are recognized for their efforts in the arena,” said AQHA Chief Show Officer Pete Kyle. “Level 2 exhibitors will be competing for specially designed trophies, buckles, jackpots and the title of AQHA Level 2 champion at this year’s event.”
The following Level 2 classes in the open and amateur divisions will run separate from the Level 3 prelims:
• Hunter under saddle
• Western pleasure
• Horsemanship
• Hunt seat equitation
For the following classes in the open and amateur divisions, Level 3 competitors will have a work order, followed by Level 2 competitors with a different work order:
• Working hunter
• Team penning – all team members must be Level 2 eligible
• Ranch sorting – all team members must be Level 2 eligible
For hunter hack in the amateur and open divisions:
1. The same horse entered in both levels and ridden by the same rider will jump the fences. The Level 3 score will roll over and be counted for the Level 2 score for the Level 2 placings.
2. The horses only entered in Level 2 will jump the fences with their own work order and work at the end of the Level 2 prelims.
3. The same horse entered in both levels ridden by different riders will jump a second time at the end of the Level 2 prelims. (open division only)
4. The top 20 plus ties in Level 3 will come back for the rail work for the Level 3 finals.
5. The top 15 plus ties in Level 2 will come back for the rail work for the Level 2 finals.
For halter events in the amateur and open divisions:
1. Level 2 and Level 3 classes will be run concurrently.
2. If an exhibitor is eligible, he/she may enter both levels, but the horse will only be shown one time.
For speed events (barrel racing, pole bending, stake race and breakaway roping) in the amateur and open divisions:
1. The same horse entered in both levels ridden by the same rider can roll over their time or take two runs. This must be declared at the time of entry.
2. The horse only entered in Level 2 will run after the end of the prelims.
3. The same horse entered in both levels ridden by different riders, which must be declared at the time of entry, will run a second time after the Level 2-only entries run. (open division only)
For scored events (showmanship, equitation over fences, cutting, working cow horse, boxing, tie-down roping, heading, heeling, reining, western riding, trail and ranch riding) in the amateur and open divisions:
1. The score in the prelims for the same horse entered in both levels ridden by the same rider will roll over for their Level 2 score.
2. The horse entered only in Level 2 will work after the end of the prelims.
3. The same horse entered in both levels ridden by different riders will work a second time at the end of the prelims. (open division only)
Please note: There will not be Level 2 classes in jumping, junior barrel racing, junior and senior pleasure driving, amateur pleasure driving, junior hunter hack, junior and senior ranch riding, amateur ranch riding, amateur boxing or amateur stake race because these classes are already leveled as a result of statistical analysis based upon the numbers of participants and point distributions in the classes.
To enter a Level 2 championship class, the Level 2 exhibitor/horse will be required to earn half of the Level 3 qualifying points and must be Level 2-eligible for that show year. Horses/exhibitors eligible for Level 2 and Level 3 will be able to enter both levels. A separate entry fee for Level 2 will be applicable.
View the list of open exhibitors who are ineligible to show horses in Level 2 open classes at this year’s AQHA World Show by clicking here.
The qualifying period for the AQHA World Show is August 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015.
View a list of the 2015 AQHA World Show qualifying points. by clicking here.
New this year, all entries for the AQHA World Show must be sent to AQHA in the same envelope in order to be stalled together. AQHA cannot stall you with someone if the entries are not sent to the Association at the same time and in the same envelope.
For more information on the 2015 AQHA World Show and to view the tentative schedule, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.
The AQHA World Show is a pinnacle event for American Quarter Horse owners and exhibitors around the globe. Each November, thousands of competitors and their horses convene at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City for the World Show. Competitors must reach a predetermined number of points to secure a spot in each of the classes. Competitors and their American Quarter Horses compete yearlong to qualify for the honor of competing at this annual event and represent the disciplines of English, western and halter.
