10 Reasons to Enter 2019 AQHA Level 1 Championships

Photo courtesy of Delores Kuhlwein

The American Quarter Horse Association is excited to announce that the entry forms for the 2019 AQHA Level 1 Championships are online. If you’ve been kicking around the thought of entering the 2019 AQHA Level 1 Championships, you still have time.

Entries are due:

• March 15 for the AQHA Central Level 1 Championships; the show is April 10-13 in Oklahoma City.
• March 15 for the AQHA West Level 1 Championships; the show is April 17-20 in Las Vegas.
• March 15 for the Nutrena East AQHA Level 1 Championships; the show is May 1-5 in Wilmington, Ohio.
• April 30 for the AQHA Level 1 Cattle Championships; the show is June 18-23 in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and is held in conjunction with the 2019 Zoetis AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships, Zoetis AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals and National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance Championship Show.

In case you still need convincing, here are 10 reasons you should enter:

1. There’s no qualifying; you need only be eligible to enter! The entry forms for the AQHA Level 1 Championships can be found online at www.aqha.com/level1championships.
2. You can compete against exhibitors the same age as you. Level 1 showmanship, horsemanship, western pleasure, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation, trail and western riding are divided into 13-&-Under, 14-18, amateur and Select. View the full class list.
3. Compete against exhibitors with the same experience as you. The Level 1 Championships also offer Rookie classes, which are perfect for beginning competitors. (If you’re looking to try a new class, enter the Rookie level!) AQHA walk-trot classes are offered as well at the 2019 AQHA West, AQHA Central and Nutrena East.
4. Take home amazing prizes from generous AQHA corporate partners and show sponsors. Get excited: There are trophies and belt buckles up for grabs, plus much more.
5. Win money! Yes, you can enter the jackpot for your class, win big and head home with your share of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes.
6. Add another accolade to your horse’s record. “Level 1 Champion” looks mighty attractive on an AQHA record, just sayin’. Experience the thrill of competing at the championship level. It’s a feeling unlike any you can recreate at home. You’re going to have to come to Oklahoma City, Las Vegas, Wilmington, Ohio, or Guthrie, Oklahoma, to enjoy it!
7. Meet new people. Each Level 1 Championships offers a free exhibitor party to mingle with your fellow competitors.
8. Get insider tips at free clinics. At the Ride the Pattern clinics, not only will you see the pattern performed, but an AQHA Professional Horseman will provide tips for how to ride the pattern and offer insight from the judges’ perspective. Professionals will also be available to answer your questions. The tentative schedules for clinic times will be available at www.aqha.com/level1championships.
9. Pick and choose. A la carte pricing allows you to pay for just the classes you enter, making the show more affordable for many competitors.
10. Try a Rookie over-fence class or team penning and ranch sorting. New for the 2019 Level 1 Championships, exhibitors will now have the opportunity to strut their stuff in a full slate of Rookie over-fence classes at the AQHA Central, AQHA West and Nutrena East shows. The AQHA Level 1 Cattle will also offer both team penning and ranch sorting for the first time.

Have we persuaded you to enter one of these shows? When you’re ready to download an entry form, get more info about a particular show or check hotel accommodations, here are the links you need:

• AQHA Central Level 1 Championships
• AQHA West Level 1 Championships
• Nutrena East AQHA Level 1 Championships
• AQHA Level 1 Cattle Championships

You can also use www.aqha.com/level1championships, where we have all the shows rounded up in one handy place.