The American Quarter Horse Journal, April 18, 2008 – A new American Quarter Horse Association type of show will enter the world in 2008, dramatically increasing the accessibility and broadening the range of AQHA shows in a way the Association has never done before. These new shows aim to create a friendly and inexpensive show environment for all levels of exhibitors while providing the opportunity for many more American Quarter Horse owners to participate in the AQHA show experience.

“AQHA shows have always been about providing American Quarter Horse owners with opportunities to enjoy competition while celebrating the diversity and talent of the horses they love,” said Bill Brewer, AQHA Executive Vice President. “Our new approach to approving shows will allow AQHA to expand this historical show experience to new exhibitors and horses by making AQHA shows available to more people and in more areas than ever before.”

AQHA is introducing AQHA-approved classes to run during any open or 4-H horse show, in fact, these AQHA classes themselves can be held within other classes at the show. For example, AQHA members exhibiting in the open show’s western pleasure class can also receive points based off their placings against other AQHA members in that class. The shows are novice driven, but show management can choose to offer open, amateur and youth classes as well. Though classes will incorporate some relaxed rules to accommodate their new format, they will continue to uphold the core AQHA show standards and rules. Exhibitors will be able to earn AQHA points and Incentive Fund money as is the case for all other AQHA shows, and all classes will be judged by AQHA judges.

To make this as successful as possible, AQHA will be relaxing some of its current show rules. Show approval fees will be lowered and judges’ rules and show management rules will be relaxed. One of the most significant and anticipated rule adjustments will be the relaxing of mileage approval rules. This new lenience will allow AQHA-approved classes to be held at open shows, 4-H shows and county fairs within a short distance to approved AQHA shows, creating the increased show accessibility that promises to change the AQHA show world.

With these new shows premiering in 2008, American Quarter Horse owners should start pulling out dusty tack from the corners of their tack rooms and shining their old boots because this promises to be an exciting show season that no one will want to miss. AQHA is making history, and we want everyone to be a part of it!

For more information about getting AQHA-approved classes at a show near you, contact Terrie Lovelady or Lisa Pond in AQHA’s Show Department by calling (806) 376-4811.

To find a new AQHA-approved class at an open show near you, visit www.aqha.com/showing/guidetoshowing/eventapproval.html or check out the calendar in The American Quarter Horse Journal. The first show to feature the new classes will be held at the NOQHA Open Extravaganza/AQHA Introductory Show in Canfield, Ohio, on June 1.