Announcing the Inaugural Eastern States Championship in 2016, In Conjunction With the Big A
Image courtesy of MHHS.
By: Brittany Bevis
Mark Harrell Horse Shows Management Team is excited to present a brand new event for 2016 that will take place in conjunction with the Big A Horse Show in Conyers, Georgia. The Eastern States Championship will take place July 6-10, 2016.
The qualifying period for this event is January 1, 2015- December 31, 2015. Competitors must show to a total of ten judges during this time period in order to qualify nationally. Competitors may also qualify through a state affiliate. Any AQHA member is eligible to qualify, and qualification is on a class-by-class basis.
Divisions will be included for Open, Amateur, and Youth with Trail, Over Fences, Halter, Rail, and Pattern classes. Championship classes will be by invitation only.
“Mark Harrell Horse Shows is very proud to continue our relationship with Georgia Quarter Horse Association and present the Eastern States Championship. This does NOT take the place of the Level 1/Novice Championships. To show in an open, amateur (including select) or youth class at the 2016 Eastern States Championship Show, a horse or an exhibitor must qualify in one of two ways: nationally or through a participating state affiliate.”
It’s important to note that the Eastern States Championship will have open, amateur (including select) and youth classes ONLY. Novice youth and novice amateur exhibitors are encouraged to participate in the AQHA Novice Championship Shows.
In an effort to encourage local participation by those who may not have the opportunity to attend the AQHA World Championships Shows, there are certain limitations being placed on both exhibitors and horses that have had prior success at AQHA World Shows. For example, if a horse has placed first, second, or third in a class at an AQHA World Show, or world or national championship in any equine organization with membership over 7,500 during the prior ten years, that horse cannot show at the Eastern States Championship in the corresponding class. As an example, if a horse won Youth Western Riding at the AQHA Youth World Show in 2008, that horse cannot be shown in the open, amateur or youth classes at the Eastern States Championship.
Complete eligibility rules and conditions for the Eastern States Championship can be viewed on www.MarkHarrellHorseShows website or on GQHA.com.
