Following the two Level 1 Championship shows held in Las Vegas and Lexington, Virginia this past weekend, there is all sorts of buzz on social media questioning if whether Level 1 Championships are “World” Champion titles. If you won one of these titles, did you win the “World”? Many of these posts have led to harsh comments from the public criticizing the exhibitor for misrepresenting and/or exaggerating their wins. Unfortunately, it has detracted from much of the good that these shows achieved.
Several industry professionals we spoke to mentioned that now is the time to encourage exhibitors, especially novices, who are excited for the opportunity to show horses on a national level. Meanwhile, others criticize the exhibitors who call themselves, “World Champions” because they believe it cheapens the title.
We asked trainers and exhibitors, most who were at these shows, what they think about this development. Do they believe Level 1 exhibitors need to be reminded that this is not a world title or do they, in fact, consider it a world show for novices? Does what people call their win really matter? Does it cheapen the title of World Champion? Let’s find out what they had to say.
Debby Brehm – I have mixed feelings about this. Originally, I believe they were called Novice World shows, so the term “World Champion” came about naturally. Since they are now called Level One Championships, it probably isn’t correct to call a winner a World Champion. However, for many people, this show is their “World Show” because they will not be going to another AQHA World Show this year or maybe ever. They are proud of their placing as they should be and want to say they won a World Championship. Of course, to qualify for the Level One Championship, you do not need to earn points, you simply need to show to 20 judges (or 10 if you state qualify), and, therefore, you do not have to beat anyone to attend. Does this mean that you are a World Champion when you never had to win a class to attend? These are questions that are worth asking. After saying all that, I feel that the winners are not World Champions, but still it is such an honor to win such a prestigious show because the number of entries are high.
Greg Wheat – I think if the riders think that it is a world title to keep them interested in showing, then more power to them. We need these exhibitors in our industry to keep moving forward and without these shows, a lot of them would continue to stay in the novice division. These shows give breeders and trainers a chance to sell more horses and gives the older horses that are not capable of competing at an open level anymore a place to compete.
Lynn Puthoff – This is a great show. It boosts the novice youth’s confidence and gives them another big show to go to that is dedicated to them. As I do feel that it is hard to call it an actual world title, it is a big title nonetheless. My youth girl that won two trophies was so excited. I feel it’s just going to be an evolving show, and hopefully it will only grow in popularity – to have a nice title to go along with it will encourage novice to keep growing and showing onto the next level.
Maria Salazar – Technically speaking, I do not think a championship from either novice show is a World Championship. Maybe if the East and West Shows were combined, it could be considered a Novice World Show. However, any placing at a novice show is still a huge accomplishment. Just like placing at Congress is a huge accomplishment, but not a World Championship. I think the true issue is the lack of sportsmanship in our industry that this conversation has brought up. To hear people say that those who won at the Novice Championships haven’t worked as hard or don’t have the talent as those who have won World Championships, is mean and disappointing. Didn’t every World Champion start at this level? Or were they born a World Champion? I truly believe that the Quarter Horse industry is full of wonderful people. I hope that our industry doesn’t become like the rest of society where it has become acceptable to put others down via social media with no consequences. Congrats to all who won or placed at either of the Novice Championship Shows. Nobody should be questioning your talent or hard work.
Rose Santos – My group had four Level 1 Champions. I believe that it’s just what the name says, Novice Championship – it’s not a world show. How can you be a World Champion when there’s an East Coast and a West Coast. The first year though, AQHA did call it a World Champion. I believe the title of a “World Champion” is named in November in Oklahoma City. I think maybe that the Novice exhibitors need to be reminded or educated more on the reasoning of Novice/Level 1, but not in a harsh way of people Facebook bashing the hard work of winning the title. It’s not fair, especially to a youth who has worked extremely hard on achieving that title.
Jennifer Reams – I don’t want to take away any accomplishments from these people. I think it’s the best thing AQHA has done in a long time. It gives people a feel of the world show whether they are just beginning and some day going to step up to the “real” world show or if this is their “real” world show. To see the look on some of those peoples faces was priceless, so yes, I think it’s great that they think they won the world. In their minds, they have and it should not be taking away from them. The last thing AQHA or anybody should do is to discourage these people. It is the future of our industry.
Liz Flohr – I think the whole concept of the Level 1 World Championships or the Novice World is one of the very best concepts AQHA has ever come up with. The novice program is the foundation and building block for our whole organization. Let the novices all have their moment to shine. This is their Novice World Championships Show. Maybe they will never choose to go to the youth or amateur or open world but just maybe they will. Maybe they will win or place there someday. Every year my clients that are novice eligible look forward to getting qualified and are always excited to go. They even make sure they always get re-qualified again during that same year too, so, they are eligible to show there two years in a row. They work just as hard, spend endless hours, lots of money and earn their placing too. Bottom line, we all love showing horses and isn’t this what it’s all about regardless of whatever level your competing on?
Lori Gordon – I think it should be the Novice World Show since the Open, Amateur, Select and Youth have their own venues. Why not let this tier of competitors be able to compete for their own World Championship title since they are competing against others on the exact same level. I had three clients competing there, and we sure took as much time and effort in the training, conditioning and preparing for this show as we are for the Congress and Open and Amateur World Shows. With this show as well as the others, also comes a major amount of expense to be able to compete. Let these Level 1 exhibitors enjoy a world title all their own.
Jamie Hylton – My thoughts are that AQHA doesn’t offer Rookie or Level 1 world show classes, so for us this is our world show. This is the closest we’re going to get to a world title until we’re amateurs.
Christa Baldwin – Well, it is not a World Championship show. It’s name says, Level 1 Championship Show East or West. Next year, there will be three Level 1 shows – an East, Central and West. So really, it is a regional show not at all a “World” show. But, it is a prestigious show for novices and rookies.
Shon Gage – I think it is such a positive thing that so many people are excited about how they did at the Novice Championships, but I think that they should be reminded instead of putting World Champion to put Novice Champion. My reasoning for that is that two different shows are offered, and to me, it means that two champions are crowned. It would not be a world title but a novice title. I do think that each exhibitor that is successful at either show should be extremely proud, because it is a very big accomplishment.
Tara Lombardo Anderson – I do consider it a world show for novices. I think it should be treated the same way and the trophies should be a mini globe. I also think that if AQHA has a Level 2 at the regular world shows that they be titled Level 2 “World Champions”. We want this level of exhibitors to feel welcomed and encourage them to the next level. The conditions were terrible in Virginia, yet, the enthusiasm was huge. We need that to keep our industry alive.
Taylor Deppen – I personally think people are over reacting about this topic. The world is becoming too “politically correct” nowadays. But I understand that this is not a world show – it is a championship show, so technically you should not say that you have won a world title. In order for it to be a world show, it would have to be held so that all novice competitors can compete against each other and win one title, not just regionally. AQHA is however the one who started the “novice world” issue back in 2012 when the first show was held. It was stated on the patches “World Champion”, and they promoted the show as being a world show type setting for novice riders. However, the patches and awards have all been changed since 2012 to only read “Level 1 Champion”. I agree that the show is run like a world show and is a great stepping stone to compete at the world in the future, but it’s a championship show not a world show.
Megan Wise – I don’t think there’s a problem calling the Level 1 Championship titles “World” titles. For some people, this is the only world type show they will ever get to attend. Some exhibitors can’t haul to get the points needed for the Amateur, Youth, or Open World Show and for others, it’s just too far or too expensive to attend. Competing at the Level 1 Championships this weekend, I saw world show caliber horses. Competition was very tough and the champions definitely deserve to be called, “World Champions”. It’s very disappointing to see trainers and Level 3 exhibitors knocking the Level 1 exhibitors. To be specific, stating they don’t work as hard. That’s very discouraging for someone who has worked countless hours preparing for the Level 1 Championships.
Chelsea Carlson – I can see why people are so passionate about the title they may have won at the show. On one hand, yes, it is like a world show for novice competitors. On the other hand, most typical world shows only have one location and stricter guidelines to qualify. For example, if you qualify in one event, you can enter any other event you are eligible for. No other “world” show has qualifying/showing rules like that. To conclude, I don’t believe it’s negative or to belittle the title anyone has won. It’s not stripping them of anything, it’s just stating facts that there are multiple locations that prevent it from being titled a world show. Either way, I think it is a big achievement for any person to earn.
Chris Gray – It doesn’t offend me one way or the other. I referred to it as Level 1 Champions, personally. But, I think the amateurs and others need to remember that they were once novices as well. Without a continued increase in novice entries, this industry could not sustain itself. I feel like the word novice should definitely proceed the title world champion. But I see no reason that we can’t have a novice world champion, just as we have a youth, amateur and open world champion. They are huge shows, and a tremendous accomplishment for those exhibitors at that point in their career. I think most people need to worry about the positive aspects of growing the industry verses the threat of unwarranted accomplishments.
Kelly Cochran – I don’t consider the championship show a “world” show. No where in the title is it called that…I do think some novices may feel like it is but not me. I view it like the difference between the Appaloosa Nationals and the Appaloosa World Show…one is a championship one is the world.
Lisa Mathews – That is a tough one. I think it is a very special award and AQHA has done a fantastic job making the novice feel special. The neck ribbon ceremony and the victory lap certainly are replicate of what is done at the “real” world show. I think as long as it states “Novice World Champion”, there is no harm in it. I’m all for making these novice who work very hard feel special. I don’t think doing that takes away any of the prestige of winning a real world title.
Ashley Roach – I do not think that this should be considered a world show because the four true world shows have always been the AQHA Youth, Open, Amateur and, Select. If you are a novice and keep saying you won a world championship, it is implied that you are going up against all of the major exhibitors in the world, like we do at the true world shows. Although I have personally won a Novice Championship, I do not consider it a world championship. Also, since there is an East and a West Level 1Championship Show, that only makes me the champion of the East. There is someone else who has won the same class on the other side of the US. I believe AQHA is doing the right thing not calling the Novice Championships a world show, but, a champion is a champion, just don’t call it something it’s not publicized as.
Kathryn deVries – It really doesn’t bother me. I heard a lot of people say they won the “World” last week, mainly out of extreme excitement. I’m not one to rain on their parade. I don’t think the term is right though – you can’t have two (now three) “World Champions” in the same event in the same year. I think “Level One Champion” is a better title – and still prestigious!
Julie Hoefling – This was my first time at this show, and I had an amazing time. I made a ton of new friends and everyone was very warm and welcoming. I think this is a national level show for novices, however I wouldn’t consider it a world show. It is called the Level 1 Championships, not Level 1 World Show. That is not to take away anything from anyone, believe me, I am ecstatic with my performance. The horses at the shows are extremely high caliber and the competition is tough. But there are also two locations and three next year, so to say you are a world champion doesn’t make sense to me. To be a world champion, I think the show needs to be titled as a world show, and I think there needs to be one champion. At any rate, the novice championship shows are a huge accomplishment and those achieving those goals, should be very proud of themselves whether it has a world title attached to it or not.
Trista Mallow – As an exhibitor who just won the Rookie Amateur Showmanship title at the East show, I personally believe that I won a championship title, not a world title. Since it is called the Level 1 Championship Show, I personally can’t call it a world show title. Technically, you aren’t winning the world since there was two shows, and there are two winners for the same class. Don’t get me wrong, it still took a lot of work and dedication to win. If AQHA changed the name to the Level 1 World Show, then, I would absolutely recognize my win as a world title. At the end of the day, no matter what the name of the show is…having to compete against that many people and winning is a huge accomplishment, and it deserves recognition.
Missy Thyfault – I feel that the Level One Championship Show is an excellent idea and the experience we had was “World Show” in feel. Horses needed to qualify to compete; names were announced for the Top 20; horses trot down the center of the ring; trophies were similar; excellent Ride the Patterns clinics were done; and victory laps were taken. All making it a “World Show Starter Package” if you will. The intent of this show should be to encourage the pursuit of world show level competition as the exhibitor graduates. The Open and Amateur World Show needs to increase in attendance or at least not get any smaller. I do agree that the title is not actually a “World” title. It is easy to make that mistake because in normal conversation it has been called Novice Worlds for years. I am guilty as charged of labeling it the wrong way. I can promise you it is an honest mistake, and it was not meant to cheapen the “World” title in anyway. The little girl who was Reserve Level 1 Champion does not care what label it comes with. She is so happy with her Level 1 Show Experience that I can clearly see a little girl who will be eager to go to the actual AQHYA World Show, which in the end, is what this is all about.
Erin McNab – I was thinking about this just yesterday. I have mixed feelings about the championships at the Level 1 Championship Show being called “World” Champion titles. On the one hand, I think that because it is run so much like a world championship show (at least to my understanding of how the World Show is run), and because it is a large and competitive show, it gives that vibe of being like a world show. When I first heard about it before showing there last year, I had heard it referred to as the “Novice World” Show just in passing conversation. On the other hand, I think calling a championship from the Level 1 Championship Show a world title is a bit of an overstatement, particularly because there is an East show and a West show, and soon to be a Central show as well. I don’t know if it should really be considered a world title when there are multiple Level 1 Championship Shows in different regions of the country. However, I can definitely see both sides of why someone would be for or against calling Level 1 Championships “World” Champion titles.
Trae Buckwalter – I believe novices do need to be reminded that there is a East Coast champion and West Coast champion. I don’t think they are world champions. When you are able to the world show, then you can be considered a world champion. If AQHA did one big novice show, then that would be different, but they don’t.
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