Double Qualifying Incentive For Versatility Ranch Horse Competitors

AQHA Publicity

The American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee approved offering the John Deere VRH Double-Qualifying Incentive, a special side pot available only to Versatility Ranch Horse competitors who qualified for the 2020 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and who also qualify for the 2021 AQHA VRH World.

The 2020 AQHA VRH World qualifying period was March 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020. The 2021 AQHA VRH World qualifying period is March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021.

Due to the uncertainty of the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, AQHA made the difficult decision to the cancel the 2020 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance National Championship Show. As a result, AQHA made the decision to rollover qualifying to the 2021 event. The AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals will be hosted with the AQHA World Championship Show November 5-21 at OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, and the Nutrena Level 1 classes will be held with their respective AQHA world championship shows.

“Ranch horse exhibitors made a big commitment in both time and money to qualify their American Quarter Horses for the 2020 AQHA VRH World,” said Jill Dunkel, Stock Horse of Texas executive director. “Unfortunately, the AQHA VRH World was unable to be rescheduled due to a variety of reasons. Rolling qualification to 2021 was a big relief, and the John Deere VRH Double-Qualifying Incentive is a great way to keep showing and preparing for next year.”

The John Deere Double-Qualifying Incentive offers a total side pot of $20,000 to the highest-placing 2020 and 2021 qualifiers in each division who compete at the 2021 AQHA VRH World.

All-around entries in each division, who qualified in 2020 and qualify in 2021, are eligible to receive:

Junior Division – $3,000 (1st will receive $2,000 and 2nd will receive $1,000)
Senior – $3,000 (1st will receive $2,000 and 2nd will receive $1,000)
Cowboy – $2,500 (1st will receive $1,700 and 2nd will receive $800)
Amateur – $3,000 (1st will receive $2,000 and 2nd will receive $1,000)
Limited Amateur – $3,000 (1st will receive $2,000 and 2nd will receive $1,000)
Youth – $1,500 (1st will receive $1,000 and 2nd will receive $500)
Limited Youth – $1,500 (1st will receive $1,000 and 2nd will receive $500)

Age Eligibility

Age eligibility will not roll over like qualifying for the 2021 AQHA VRH World. In response to member requests to recognize exhibitors and horses who missed their last year of youth or junior eligibility due to the cancellation of the 2020 AQHA VRH World, AQHA is adding an additional incentive for those affected.

A $1,000 award will be presented to the highest-placing rider, born in 2001, who was qualified to compete as an all-around youth or limited youth at the 2020 AQHA VRH World, but based on age eligibility will now show in a different division at the 2021 show. The exhibitor has the option to roll over qualification or requalify with the same horse that qualified in 2020, or qualify for the 2021 AQHA VRH World with another American Quarter Horse to be eligible.

In addition, the highest-placing American Quarter Horse, foaled in 2014, that was qualified to compete as an all-around junior horse at the 2020 AQHA VRH World, but due to age eligibility will now compete in the senior division at the 2021 show, will also receive an additional $1,000. To be eligible for the award, the American Quarter Horse must have qualified to compete at the 2020 AQHA VRH World and can either enter the 2021 show by rolling over their eligibility or requalification.

For more information about the AQHA VRH World, visit www.aqha.com/versatility.

John Deere

John Deere is driven by integrity, quality, commitment and innovation as it provides customers around the world with work equipment. John Deere has been a trusted supplier of equipment and service to the equine industry for generations. Now, as an AQHA member, you can get savings on select John Deere tractors, utility vehicles, mowers, commercial worksite equipment, implements and more. To redeem benefits, register at John Deere to receive an AQHA member discount.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter and visit  www.aqha.com/news.