Two AQHA Novice Championship shows will be held in 2012 for youth and amateurs. The Western Novice Championship Show will be September 21-23 at the South Point in Las Vegas, while the Eastern Novice Championship Show will be October 5-7 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
“We are delighted to have AQHA return to Murfreesboro and the Tennessee Miller Coliseum with a new event that potentially will serve so many people and American Quarter Horses,” said Anne Brzezicki, an AQHA Tennessee National Director. “Tennessee has always had a strong Novice program, and we believe in helping make events like this a big success.”
Classes offered will be yearling, 2-year-old, 3-year-old, aged and performance mares and geldings halter classes; showmanship; western horsemanship; western pleasure; trail; reining; western riding; barrel racing; pole bending; hunt seat equitation; and hunter under saddle.
To be eligible to participate in the Novice championship shows, individuals must place in the top 10 at AQHA Regional Championships or have shown to a minimum number of AQHA judges at AQHA-approved shows nationally.
Also, affiliates will establish qualifying criteria for exhibitors who support their states/provinces/countries to participate in the Novice championships through a system they develop to fit their needs. AQHA staff will be working with the affiliates on this effort.
AQHA is very excited about this addition to the leveling program, as it offers Novice exhibitors an opportunity to be recognized and rewarded for their accomplishments in the show arena.
GoHorseShow will provide more updates throughout the year regarding these new shows.
Information provided by AQHA Tennessee National Director, Anne Brzezicki