The Level 1 East Championships kicks off Wednesday, May 4th at the Gov. James B. Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, North Carolina. This show will offer AQHA’s core and over-fences classes for East Coast Exhibitors. For the first few years, the show was held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and, last year, in Lexington, Virginia. This will be the first year for it to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Please welcome Amateur Brandy Halladay who will be doing the picture of the day for GoHorseShow from the show. Read about her below!
Hi, my name is Brandy Halladay and I’m from Odessa, Florida. I’m in Raleigh, North Carolina this week for the AQHA East Coast Level 1 Championships. I’m here with my good friend and trainer Dakota Diamond Griffith and my mare, Pleasures Impulse, who I’ll be showing in the all around events. I’ve owned her for over three years but this is just our third show together, so I’m very excited! My big grey horse, Master Of The Skys, is here hanging out with us too as well as my two year old buckskin hunter under saddle prospect, Caughtupintheseirons.
Picture #6, Sunday, May 7, 2016
We finished off the show with western riding this morning. Today is the first time I’ve ever shown in the western riding, and I was thrilled with my ride. I learned so much at this show and met so many new friends and to me that’s what the horse show is all about. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful now, everyone is packing up and heading home. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m already thinking about the next show; the next opportunity and the next chance to be with my horse show family. I hope everyone had a wonderful time and safe travels home! Thank you AQHA for a great show!
Picture #5, Saturday, May 6, 2016
Charity work and community service is a huge part of my life so my picture today is of Renee Kozlowski (pictured above with employee Becca Smith) who is a cancer survivor and the founder of Pink Horse, Inc.
A registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Pink Horse, Inc provides financial assistance to cowgirls undergoing breast cancer treatment. Thanks to the support of their customers, they are providing direct assistance in the form of gas cards, food cards, transportation, childcare, hay, board or whatever the daily need may be.
Please check them out on Facebook or at their website LopeForHope.com. Pink Horse, Inc is based out of both Lake City, Michigan and Charleston, South Carolina, so look for them at major shows across the Midwest and Southeast. These girls are a blast and I’m so proud to wear my new white vest (hanging in the back of the picture) and support this worthy cause! Great job Renee!
Picture #4, Friday, May 6, 2016
The largest class for the show was Amateur Showmanship this morning with 101 entries. It was a big win for Chayna De Nicolo pictured here with her five year old mare, Gracie. This team also earned a bronze trophy in the Amateur Equitation out of 89exhibitors. Chayna is from St. Charles, Illinois and has been showing since she was six years old. She bought Gracie as a yearling and has done all of the training herself. Congratulations Chanya!
Picture #3, Thursday, May 5, 2016
Another miserable rainy windy day in Raleigh but that didn’t stop Leah Burgess from winning the Rookie Youth Hunter Under Saddle on her horse, Good Weekend. Leah just started with LaSusa Performance Horses last November, and she has only been showing “Simon” for a month. Her favorite class is the hunter under saddle. This was her first ever call back to a finals, so she couldn’t even believe that she won the class. Leah has been showing since walk trot and Simon is always a crowd favorite. This was a huge accomplishment for her as she has been working to make it in the finals of a class since she started showing. Way to go Leah and Simon!
Picture #2, Wednesday, May 4th, 2016
Day 1 of the AQHA Level 1 Championships is off to a late start because of rain and mud. Last week, there was an assault of hail and rain here at the Gov. James B. Hunt Horse Complex. The grounds crew has been working through the night to get everything cleaned up and ready for a 10 am start. A late start gave me a little extra time for breakfast at The Sweet Shop though so it’s a win-win!
Picture #1: Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Today is a busy day with everyone moving in and getting their horses ready. I’m pictured here with my mare, Pleasures Impulse and my big grey horse, Master Of The Skys. I’m looking forward to a fun week and want to wish everyone good luck! Stay tuned for more pictures throughout the show.
