Around the rings at the 2016 AQHA Level 1 Championship Central in OKC.
Click on the links below to view all of our EquineChronicle.com photo galleries from each AQHA Level 1 Championship Show.
AQHA Level 1 Championship East- NC.
AQHA Level 1 Championship Central- OK.
AQHA Level 1 Championship West- NV.
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The Nutrena East AQHA Level 1 Championships, held May 4-8 in Raleigh, North Carolina, wrapped-up the 2016 series of American Quarter Horse Association Level 1 Championships. All three shows were a huge success, with a 28 percent increase in entries over last year, totaling more than 6,000 entries, in addition to a 24 percent increase in exhibitors and 27 percent increase in horses.
“The increases can be attributed in part to three factors: the dates of the events changed, there were no qualifying requirements for 2016, plus the Farnam Central AQHA Level 1 Championships offered more classes, whereas last year, it only offered cattle classes,” said Craig Huffhines, AQHA executive vice president. “These three efforts were put in place for 2016 to open up more opportunities for our entry-level exhibitors to try out a Level 1 Championships experience.”
The Level 1 Championships are the pinnacle event for American Quarter Horse Level 1 exhibitors who competed in each of the classes representing halter, English and western disciplines. More than 6,000 entries, 1,500 exhibitors and 1,540 American Quarter Horses competed for 260 champion titles and nearly $57,000 in jackpot purses at the Farnam Central in Oklahoma City, AQHA West in Las Vegas and Nutrena East Level 1 Championships in Raleigh, North Carolina.
This year’s championships featured Rookie classes, sponsored by AQHA Corporate Partner B&W Trailer Hitches, and a wide range of age divisions for Level 1 competitors. Rookie and Level 1 are the two levels of AQHA competition designed for beginner to minimally accomplished competitors, respectively. The Level 1 Championships were designed to celebrate the accomplishments of these riders and their horses in an environment that provides education and fun competition.
Around the rings at the 2016 AQHA Level 1 Championship West in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of Delores Kuhlwein
View the full line-up of winners at the Farnam Central, AQHA West and Nutrena East Level 1 Championships.
Class videos from all three AQHA Level 1 Championships are available for purchase from the AQHA Level 1 Championships official videographer, Video Horse World. Exhibitors can also purchase pictures from the shows’ official photographers. Farnam Central and Nutrena East AQHA Level 1 Championships exhibitors can purchase photos from K.C. Montgomery Photographics, and AQHA West Level 1 Championships exhibitors can buy photos from Shane Rux Photography.
This year, due to a change in show dates, all eligible exhibitors were able to enter. For 2017, exhibitors must qualify for the events either nationally or through their state or provincial AQHA affiliate to compete in English, western and halter classes. View the 2017 qualifying and eligibility rules.
Around the Rings at the AQHA Level 1 Championship East in North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Gordon Downey.
For more news from the AQHA Level 1 Championships, visit www.aqha.com/level1championships.
Corporate partner and event sponsors for the AQHA Level 1 Championships include Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), B&W Trailer Hitches, Farnam, John Deere, Justin Boots, Merial, Montana Silversmiths, Noble Outfitters, Nutrena, Professional’s Choice, SmartPak and Wrangler.
AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter, watch the AQHA Newscast and visit www.aqha.com/news.
