Inaugural EMO Western States Championships Was a Huge Hit With Exhibitors!

EMO Western States Championship

July 6-10, 2016, South Point Equestrian Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

The inaugural EMO Western States Championship and Quarter Horse show was a big success for organizers and exhibitors alike. Held at the extraordinary South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 6-10, the show went off without a hitch. The event started off on Wednesday and Thursday with a two-judge AQHA Show, which served as qualifying rounds for Friday’s Western States Championship show, as well as an independent AQHA show. Exhibitors loved riding in the comfort of the indoor South Point arenas. Following championship classes, Saturday and Sunday offered another 2-judge AQHA show.

“I’ve shown horses for 25 years, and this is the most amazing summer show I’ve ever been to,” says Doug Huls, EMO Western States Show Manager. “I never once put on an ounce of sun block, didn’t drink five gallons of water a day, never had to hang up a fan, never broke a sweat, my room was a three-minute walk, and the restaurants/bars were a two minute walk. Incredible!”

Exhibitors came from many states west of the Mississippi to attend this championship show. Gold, silver and bronze ARC Championship horse trophies were awarded to first, second, and third place winners. Top ten winners received spectacular ribbons in an award ceremony compete with a red carpet.

Exhibitors qualified for the Western States Championship show by fulfilling their state’s Quarter Horse association showing requirements, or nationally qualifying and received invitations to attend the show. Showing at the accompanying four-judge AQHA show was open to all exhibitors and Quarter Horses. Show attendance was good for a first year event and was twice the size as the original California “Novice Championship Show,” which has evolved into a huge event at the same venue in Las Vegas.

AQHA President, Sandy Arledge, who attended the show says, “This new concept was very well received by exhibitors, and I predict that the show will only grow in the coming years. The Western States Affiliates did an exemplary job in the conceptualization and implementation of this event. Thank you to EMO Insurance for stepping up and sponsoring the event. Thank you also to Banks Ranch and Circle S Ranch who sponsored championship divisions and Equine Chronicle and PCQHA Journal who provided major level advertising.

Ample trailer parking with the adjacent South Point Hotel/Casino offering superb food service kept exhibitors and spectators happy, while excellent footing and roomy matted box stalls in air-conditioned comfort kept the horses content. Generous show sponsors, including title sponsor, EMO Insurance, helped organizers provide prizes for the Quarter Horse show. Also, the vendor area provided giftware, tack, and grooming products for purchase. Shane Rux professional show photographer was on the grounds and did an excellent job capturing beautiful memories for exhibitors.

Professional judges, beautiful ARC horse trophies for Championship classes in first, second, and third place, and efficient office staff helped to make the event a success. Before the shows were even complete, local trainers and exhibitors were asking for more dates to be added to the calendar. The Western States Affiliates, volunteers, and staff, have worked hard to provide this championship show experience for Quarter Horse exhibitors in the western states. If you didn’t join us this year, plan on qualifying and joining us for next year’s event. If you did join us this year, we’re glad you came and thank you for your support and sportsmanship. You made the show the grand success it was!

Top Quarter Horses competed in hundreds of classes from Western and English rail classes, Halter, Working Cowhorse, Ranch Horse, Trail, Speed events, and more.

“We were encouraged by the strong turnout for our first show,” says Cece Campbell, PCQHA Director/WSA committee member explained. “The response was strong for both the EMO Western States Championship Show and the accompanying AQHA show, and we anticipate 2017 to be even larger. We wanted to ensure that all the participants experienced a world-quality show in the beautiful South Point Equestrian Center complex. We believe we achieved that and more.”

EMO Western States Championship Results:

Youth Performance Geldings

Champion: Al Be Sweet On You  & Taylor Searles, Scottsdale, AZ

 

Amateur Performance Geldings

Champion: Investn Flashy Rebel / Deborah L Weisheim, UT

Res. Champion: Absolute Best Asset / Taylor Brown, Strathmore, CA

Third: Maybe Hez On Holiday / Elizabeth Grace Gallup, Caldwell, ID

Open Performance Geldings

Champion: Investn Flashy Rebel / Deborah & Watson, UT

Amateur Performance Mares

Champion: Given Credit To Grey / Dixie G Simper

Res Champion: Shameless Invitation / Libby Williams Haydon

Open Performance Mares

Champion: Given Credit To Grey / Dixie G Simper

Res Champion: Shameless Invitation / Libby Williams Haydon

Open Stallions

Champion: Presidential Machine / June L Liston, Scottsdale, AZ

Amateur Geldings

Champion – Hes Always Zipped / Molly J Fisher, Mesa, AZ

Youth Mares

Champion: Cool To Get Roses / Trent J Searles, Scottsdale, AZ

Open Mares

Champion: Cool To Get Roses / Ryan Kail, Scottsdale, AZ

Res Champion: Cool N Sensuous / Brent Hanks, Salem, UT

Select Showmanship

Champion: Lopin Down The Lane / Kim Portney, Rancho Mirage, CA

Res Champion: Lookin Krymsun Cool / Lorraine Jewett, Grass Valley, CA

Third: Smokin Em Over / Marian Naumann, Solana Beach, CA

Amateur Showmanship

Champion: Good On The Range / Brianna Haeckl, Vista, CA

Res Champion: The Krymsun Moon / Stephanie Moon, San Jose, CA

Third: Absolute Best Asset / Taylor B Brown, Strathmore, CA

Youth Showmanship

Champion: In Zippos Image Too / Taytum Allen, New Plymouth, Id

Res Champion: Al Be Sweet On You / Taylor M Searles, Scottsdale, ID

Third: You’re All Talk / Devon A Woods, Escondido, CA

Junior Western Riding

Champion: The Daily Show / Amanda Jackson, Poulsbo, WA

Select Western Riding

Champion: Dunitagain Naturally / Brenda Panrucker, Sundre, AB, CN

Res Champion: Zip Past The Jag / Bonnie E Elber, Phoenix, AZ

Third: Lookin Krymsun Cool / Lorraine Jewett, Grass Valley, CA

Amateur Western Riding

Champion: Absolute Best Asset / Taylor B Brown, Strathmore, CA

Res Champion: The Krymsun Moon / Stephanie Kofu, San Jose, CA

Third: Maybe Hez On Holiday / Elizabeth Grace Gallup, Caldwell, ID

Youth Western Riding

Champion: This Is Why Im Here / Emma Edwards, Isaquah, WA

Res Champion: Certainly Suited / Michelle Patin, Healdsburg, CA

Third: RV Radical Zip Rod / Lauren K Anderson, Boise, ID

Senior Western Riding

Champion: Blazing Moonlight / Bruce & Bobbie Shaw, Bonsall, CA

Res Champion: Heza Macs All Star / Angela M Marshall, Burns, OR

Third: The Krymsun Moon / Shirlayne Kofu, San Jose, CA

Youth Horsemanship

Champion: Promotional Asset / Cori Cansdale, Laguna Beach, CA

Res Champion: This Is Why Im Here / Emma Edwards, Isaquah, WA

Third: Al Be Sweet On You / Taylor M Searles, Scottsdale, AZ

Select Horsemanship

Champion: Traveling Abroad / Shirlayne Kofu, San Jose, CA

Res Champion: Looking Krymsun Cool / Lorraine Jewett, Grass Valley, CA

Third: Lopin Down The Lane / Kim Portney, Rancho Mirage, CA

Amateur Horsemanship

Champion: The Best Cookie / Gabriella Salamone, Scottsdale, AZ

Res Champion: Call Me Interested / Samantha R Ihde, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Third: Absoluter Best Asset / Taylor B Brown, Strathmore, CA

Select Western Pleasure

Champion: The Daily Show / Amanda Katherine Jackson, Poulsbo, WA

Res Champion: Rumors RSVP / Cindy Jensen, Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Third: Blazing Moonlight / Bobbi Shaw, Bonsall, CA

Amateur Western Pleasure

Champion: Moonlit Hotrodder / Samantha R Ihde, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Res Champion: The Best Cookie / Gabriella Salamone, Scottsdale, AZ

Third: Maybe Hez On Holiday / Elizabeth Grace Gallup, Caldwell, ID

Youth Western Pleasure

Champion: Old Gold Whiskey / Brianne Nicole Lundberg, San Marcos, CA

Senior Western Pleasure

Champion: Moonlit Hotrodder / Samantha R Ihde, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Res Champion: Blazing Moonlight / Bruce & Bobbi Shaw, Bonsall, CA

Third: Old Gold Whiskey / Brianne Nicole Lundberg, San Marcos, CA

Open Working Cowhorse

Champion: Nic It Starlight / Barbara W Truex, Tucson, AZ

Res Champion: Conquistaboom / Dean M Hessian Ruple, Fountain Hills, AZ

Third: Smokes Funny Face / Mary Jo Fry Elwell, Hooper, UT

Amateur Working Cowhorse

Champion: Dynamite Nic / Curt Fender, Cave Creek, AZ

Res Champion: Ill Be Tuckered / Cheryl Smith, Queen Creek, AZ

Amateur Boxing

Champion: Annie Oak E / Donna Waddell, Friant, CA

Res Champion: Nic It Starlight / Barbara W Truex, Tucson, AZ

Third: Hick Oleana / Becky Stockett, Wickenburg, AZ

Junior Hunter Under Saddle

Champion: Yeah I Will / Nancy A Keegan, Los Angeles, CA

Res Champion: Al Be Seeing Ya / Taylor Brown, Strathmore, CA

Select Hunter Under Saddle

Champion: Skys Lady In Blue / Caroline French-Campbell, San Miguel, CA

Amateur Hunter Under Saddle

Champion: Al Be Seeing Ya / Taylor Brown, Strathmore, CA

Res Champion: Maybe Hez On Holiday / Elizabeth Grace Gallup, Caldwell, ID

Youth Hunter Under Saddle

Champion: Skys Lady In Blue / Tailyr Gromelski, San Miguel, CA

Res Champion: An Everlasting Touch / Liana Caroccio, Bakersfield, CA

Third: O Aint I Somethin / Hana Thomas, Aliso Viejo, CA

Senior Hunter Under Saddle

Champion: Jaks Machine / Nena Hewette Edwards, Galt, CA

Res Champion: O Aint I Somethin / Hana Thomas, Aliso Viejo, CA

Select Hunt Seat Equitation

Champion: Skys Lady In Blue / Caroline French-Campbell, San Miguel, CA

Res Champion: Lopin Down The Lane / Kim Portney, Rancho Mirage, CA

Third: Go Ride Like Clyde / Teri Christofferson, Lynden, WA

Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation

Champion: The Krymsun Moon / Stephanie Kofu, San Jose, CA

Res Champion: BMQ Decked In Chrome / Jaclyn M Landers, Prescott, AZ

Third: Justa Flashy Invite / Kimberly A Servoss, Bellingham, WA

Select Reining

Champion: Tuck It Easy / Jessie R Vaughn, El Nido, CA

Res Champion: Conquista Berry / Lauren Boychuk, Medicine Hat, AB CN

Third: Gatalata Nicker / Bonnie Garcia, Plymouth, CA

Amateur Reining

Champion: Dynamite Nic / Curt Fender, Cave Creek, AZ

Res Champion: WOH Please / Arielle Hacking, Cedar City, UT

Senior Reining

Champion: Smart Tom Tucker / Cynthia Forrest, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Res Champion: Smoke In Catalena / Craig & Kerri Nakamura, Las Vegas, NV

Third: Stoned Chick / Pam Kaiser, Las Vegas, NV

Amateur Ranch Riding

Champion: Annie Oak E / Donna Waddell, Friant,  CA

Res Champion: Dynamite Nic / Curt Fender, Cave Creek, AZ

Third: Ill Be Tuckered / Cheryl Smith, Queen Creek, AZ

Open Ranch Riding

Champion: Nic It Starlight / Barbara W Truex, Tucson, AZ

Res Champion: Stoned Chick / Pam Kaiser, Las Vegas, NV

Third: Tag Yer Shiney / Sabrina Wilson, Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Junior Trail

Champion: Eye L Be Certain / Kellie J Dunn / Carlsbad, CA

Res Champion: Suddens Best Asset / Jason Wanderer, Los Angeles, CA

Third: The Daily Show / Amanda Jackson, Poulsbo, WA

Select Trail

Champion: Sayelotomylethalfrin / Bobbi Shaw, Bonsall, CA

Res Champion: Lotsa Gold N Glitter / Jerry Wood, Chatsworth, CA

Third: Certify This Chex / Nancy G Chapman, Somis, CA

Amateur Trail

Champion: Good On The Ranch / Brianna N Haeckl, Vista, CA

Res Champion: Traveling Abroad / Stephanie Kofu, San Jose, CA

Third: The Best Cookie / Gabriella Salamone, Scottsdale, AZ

Youth Trail

Champion: This Is Why Im Here / Emma Edwards, Issaquah, WA

Res Champion: Youre All Talk / Devon A Woods, Escondido, CA

Third: An Everlasting Touch / Liana Caroccio, Bakersfield, CA

Senior Trail

Champion: Sayelotomylethalfrin / Bruce & Bobbie Shaw, Bonsall, CA

Res Champion: A Special Kinda Love / Candy D Bava, Modesto, CA

Third: Lotsa Gold N Glitter / Jerry Wood, Chatsworth, CA

Amateur Barrels

Champion: Flash Fast Hawk / Vonnie Nunes, Prather, CA

Res Champion: RDJ Fly Boy / Tim Parker, Paso Robles, CA

Third: Lovestowinraces / Vicki Jo Price, Pocatello, ID

Youth Barrels

Champion: Flash Fast Hawk / Macee Nunes, Prather, CA

Open Barrels

Champion: Flash Fast Hawk / Vonnie Nunes, Prather, CA

Res Champion: Lovestowinraces / Vicki Jo Price, Pocatello, ID

Third: Machos QT Tink / John/Mary Jo Elwell, Hooper, UT

Junior Pole Bending

Champion: South Yarra Gal / Betty Brown, Paso Robles, CA

Res Champion: Dox Midnight Frost / Kimberly Shepard, Nevada City, CA

Third: Aussie Jet / Doug Brown, Paso Robles, CA

Amateur Pole Bending

Champion: RDJ Fly Boy / Tim P Parker, Paso Robles, CA

Res Champion: Renes Flying / Kimberly Shepard, Nevada City, CA

Third: Lovestowinraces / Vicki Jo Price, Pocatello, ID

Senior Pole Bending

Champion: RDJ Fly Boy / Tim P Parker, Paso Robles, CA

Res Champion: Renes Flying / Kimberly Shepard, Nevada City, CA

Third: Renes Nic O Time / Lazy K Bar T QH / Creston, CA

Amateur Stake Race

Champion: Lovestowinraces / Vicki Jo Price, Pocatello, ID

Third: Renes Nic O Time / Kathryn Ristow, Creston, CA

Complete results for the EMO Western States Championship show and the four-judge AQHA show can be found on their website at westernstateschampionship.org. The Western States Affiliates was founded in 2014 by the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association and the Arizona Quarter Horse Association who were interested in creating opportunities to showcase the talent and competitive spirit of American Quarter Horses.

Scroll below for more fun photos from the event.