Get a Leg Up on the Competition! View APHA World Show Patterns Online Today Via New Method
By: Brittany Bevis
It seems like the Quarter Horse Congress has only just concluded in Columbus, Ohio, and already the Appaloosa World Championship Show is underway in Fort Worth, the APHA World Championship Show will begin in Texas in one week, and the AQHA World Championship Show shortly behind that taking place in Oklahoma City. Suffice to say, it’s the busiest time of year for the horse industry.
Looking to get a leg up on the competition before you head to a major event like the APHA World Show? For the first time ever, patterns for the 2014 World Show have been made available on HorseShowPatterns.com, nearly a week ahead of the show! In order to access the patterns, click on the banner with the APHA World Championship Show heading. Then, click on one of two buttons that list either, “Not a Member? Sign up today” or “No Thanks! Take me to the patterns.”
From this location, visitors will be able to download preliminary and final patterns by discipline and age division as well as view Western Riding and Reining pattern numbers. We especially like the complex Classic Amateur Finals pattern for Showmanship with square corners, a 540 degree turn and back into a 180 degree turn, and an extended trot. Also, take a look at the challenging Senior Trail preliminary pattern with plenty of maneuvering through obstacles like bridges, trot serpentines, boxes, diagonal lope sections, chutes, a gate, and modified pinwheels.
After you’ve practiced your patterns, you might want to consider attending one of two special events that will take place prior to the World Show kicking off on November 5th. On Tuesday, November 4th, from 8 am. to 3 pm. a group of APHA professionals will be holding an Amateur/Novice Amateur Boot Camp in the Watt Arena. Clinic attendees for this paid event will receive hand-on instruction in events like Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Equitation. As an extra added bonus, participants will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of Anderson Bean boots.
Directly following the Boot Camp, there will be a free opportunity for exhibitors to receive an informative pattern breakdown from a World Show judge during the Ride The Pattern seminar. The patterns for Showmanship, Equitation, and Horsemanship will be demonstrated live by a horse and rider team.
If you’re looking for some extra help, be sure to check out “Nailed It! An Expert’s Guide to Streamlining Pattern Transitions” in our October edition of The Equine Chronicle. We spoke with pattern experts like Shannon McCulloch, Robin Frid, and Arturo Maestas to obtain helpful tips for mastering those all-important transitions that lead to a flowing and smooth pattern performance.
Here’s a sneak peek of the items they discuss…
- Remembering the Prep Work- Practice Key Exercises Daily
- Teach Them Well- From the Beginning
- Mastering Transitions at the Elusive Cone
- Loping an Out-Of-Turn Transition Into a Straight Line
- Achieving a Smooth Downward Transition to a Walk Without a Stop
- Increasing Forward Motion Transitions and Slowing Back Down Without Breaking Gait
Click here to view the article: “Nailed It! An Expert’s Guide to Streamlining Pattern Transitions
For more information about the upcoming APHA World Show, click here to visit the World Show section of the APHA website. Click here to view the Premium Book where you can view a schedule, maps, entry information, eligibility requirements, information about NSBA dual-approval, Futurity details, special event schedule, show services, rentals, parking permit information, and much more.
