WCHA Introduces New Opportunity For Intermediate Non Pro Exhibitors
Image courtesy of Cody Parmenter Photography.
Always striving to think outside of the box, the World Conformation Horse Association will offer new classes for Intermediate Non-Pro Exhibitors at the 2019 WCHA Breeders Championship Futurity, held in conjunction with the American Paint Horse Association World Championship in September.
“Using a similar concept to the American Quarter Horse Association’s (AQHA) Leveling program, we wanted to host a ‘Level 1’ type Championship at our futurity,” says Don Falcon, Executive Director of WCHA. “We wanted to find a way to shine a spotlight on Intermediate Halter Exhibitors that are members and futurity participants within WCHA.”
To qualify as an Intermediate Non-Pro is simple. It’s a Non-Pro exhibitor who has never won a World or Reserve World Title in Halter competition within AQHA or APHA. Additionally, immediate family members of WCHA trainers and WCHA judges are excluded from competing as an Intermediate Non-Pro.
WCHA is offering two All Age Weanling Classes- one class for fillies and a second class for colts (stallions/geldings). These two classes will be held separately from their corresponding Open/Non-Pro/Color/OBE weanling classes so that these competitors compete against other Non-Pros within the same level and to a different set of judges.
An additional incentive for entering the Intermediate Non-Pro class is the cost savings WCHA is offering. The entry fee is structured as a one-time flat fee of $500. This flat fee gets an Intermediate Non- Pro entry into all three divisions: Open, Regular Non-Pro, and Intermediate Non-Pro. The flat fee allows the Intermediate Non-Pro a FREE entry into the corresponding Open and Regular Non-Pro class, which will not only give competitors a minimum of a $700 savings, but also provides them the opportunity to earn monies in all three divisions for one entry fee.
“The purpose of these classes is to encourage as many people as possible to participate by easing the intimidation factor of showing against a seasoned professional or seasoned Non-Pro who have won World Championship titles,” Falcon explains. “WCHA feels very strongly about providing a venue that will include everyone, no matter the level of experience or financial resources. Nearly all horse show competitions award prizes and paybacks based on first place down through 10th or 15th, so only the top tier of competitors are rewarded. These Intermediate classes, along with our Exhibitor Disability Variance, are a means for us to make additional paybacks so that more participants can be recognized and rewarded for their efforts in breeding, raising, and competing with Halter horses.”
Entry forms will be posted for all WCHA Breeders Championship and Big Money futurity classes by April 15th. For more information about the WCHA Intermediate Classes and Breeders Championship Futurity please contact the WCHA Office at office@conformationhorse.com or continually check the WCHA website for updated information, www.conformationhorse.com.
