2018 FEQHA European Championship of American Quarter Horses

By: Silvia Panza – FEQHA European Championship Press & PR

What do you see when you look in the eyes of a rider? I see the love. A love for these wonderful animals.

This is not a sport; this is a love story. It’s a story about the years and hours spent to prepare for this event. It’s a story about the tears, the smiles, and the happiness. This is riding a Quarter Horse.

The 29th FEQHA European Championship of American Quarter horses took place August 10-19th in Kreuth, Germany. The best European riders met to try to win the prestigious European Champion title. Kreuth is the ideal location for a horse show. Everything is built around the horse: the covered arenas, the outside arenas, the wonderful boxes, and the round pens. Moreover, you can enjoy the beautiful sightseeing of the German hills.

During the first weekend, the level 1 classes took place, and riders could fight for a Circuit Champion title. On Sunday, the prelims of the European Championship began.

The Ride the Pattern clinics were a blast! Four AQHA Professional Horsemen went through patterns of Trail, Horsemanship, Showmanship, Ranch Riding, and Hunt Seat Equitation. A large public supported the clinics, which were completely free and open to everybody.

What’s interesting about the European Champion are its stories. Behind every rider and every horse, there is a tale.
Like the one of Lisa, for example. She came to the European Championship for the first time, and she rocked the arena. She’s just 12 years old. She rides alone without a trainer. She had to face the older youth riders. And she won the bronze medal in Youth Ranch Riding! She had the dream to come to compete in Kreuth, and her mare made her wish come true!

Another rider named Sophie didn’t take part in the European Championship for six years. After the long break, they came back to Kreuth to win three gold medals! Yet another rider named George had a goal. He wanted to take part in the European Championship. Together, with his mum and three horses, he came along all the way from England and placed with both of his horses in Youth Reining.

Tracey and Bonnie came to Germany from Australia. Bonnie was already in England. Tracey was still in Australia, and she took a flight to Europe just to see the show. What a surprise when she saw the facility and the big arena!

The European Championship is made by the people: the judges, the stewards, the people who work in arena, and the ones who work in the office. Everybody worked hard to make the show run wonderfully! The weather was good, the atmosphere was relaxed, the horses were happy, and their owners were satisfied too.

The ECQH Team would like to thank all the judges, sponsors, horses, riders, and equine enthusiasts. Without all of you, this show wouldn’t have been possible.

The 30th edition of the FEQHA European Championship of American Quarter Horses will take place in Kreuth from the August 9-18, 2019.

Scroll below for more great photos, courtesy of Luxcompany GmbH.