Hosted by the AQHA Western States Affiliates, the EMO Western States Championship is slated to take place as part of The Celebration, June 29 – July 9, 2017, in Las Vegas, NV. The Celebration kicks off the fun, June 29-July 9th. Both events combined provide 10 AQHA shows to competitors at the beautiful South Point Equestrian Center.
Judges for the show are Chris Benedict, Morgan Lybbert, Kim Myers, Laurel Walker Denton, Courtney Fuller, Jimmy Stickler, Wayne Halvorson, Betsy Tuckey, John Tuckey, Keith Longacre, Elizabeth Baker, Jessica Gilliam, Kendra Weiss, Suzy Jeane, Mike Hopper, Lisa Moden, and Bruce Army.
For more information about The Celebration and EMO Western States Championship, visit www.westernstateschampionship.com.
EC Blog by: CeCe Cambell
Day 1 at THE Celebration was an overwhelming success in Las Vegas. In the EMO main arena, the Cutting competitors were featured, and in The Equine Chronicle arena, Reining, Ranch Riding, and Ranch Trail were going on. Doug Huls, show manager, was thrilled with the size of the show saying, “The show has doubled in back numbers and more than doubled in number of stalls!”
It’s going to be a busy week with all of the Western and English rail classes coming up, along with the EMO Western States Championship show, which starts on Tuesday, July 4th.
Exhibitors are vying for money and prizes at The Celebration. For Circuit awards, there are beautiful custom sheets with “The Celebration Circuit Champion” embroidered on them. For Reserve Circuit Champions, custom slinkies are the prize.
Also, there is a daily prize for first place, sponsored by Smart Pak. First through sixth place receive ribbons for all novice classes (in addition to towels and ribbons for novice classes). Each exhibitor placing 1st through 6th will receive a ticket or token, which will enter them in a raffle for the following dollar amounts – 1st -$1,000, 2nd- $500, 3rd- $400, 4th- $300, 5th-$200, 6th-$100. The first daily Smart Pak winner for the Rockin Smart Pak reins is #404, Gunna Spook Ya and Justine Leedom.
Congratulations, Justine!
Scroll below to view more fun photos from around the rings.