California Championship AQHA Show Breaks Records for Largest AQHA Show in California

The highly anticipated California Championship show kicked off Sept. 1-5, 2021, at the newly renovated Earl Warren Showgrounds in lovely Santa Barbara, California. It was a HUGE success! Who wouldn’t want to show in the world-renowned seaside town of Santa Barbara? The weather was a delightful 70-80 degrees, the dinner options amazing, and the beach only 2.5 miles away. Plus, thanks to the Santa Barbara Equine Evac organization, four arenas were totally renovated and a new Grand Prix arena added giving exhibitors five, beautiful show arenas. It was the perfect combination for an ideal show destination.

“Everyone came to show, so the classes were huge. We hired three additional judges to accommodate the number of entries,” said Cece Campbell, California Championship show chair. “But, the show ran smoothly, thanks to an incredible show staff. Exhibitors, trainers, and horses enjoyed the $2 entry fees, incredible awards, lovely new arenas, and charming town of Santa Barbara. We sold out on stalls. Exhibitors flocked to Santa Barbara to win saddles and great prizes.”

The show broke records for the largest AQHA show in California with over 6,300 entries. With a new show format that featured $2 entry fees for L1 Youth, L1 Amateur, Youth, Amateur and Select Classes, plus 12 beautiful Highpoint custom Sterling saddles awarded to Champions, and 12 gorgeous custom Horse Show Closet saddle pads awarded to Reserve Champions, who wouldn’t want to come show? In addition, there were 9 all around awards and over 185 Circuit, Reserve Circuit and third place awards. Horses, exhibitors, and trainers traveled to the California Championship show from many different states and all of California to enjoy this special show. Classes were offered for Western, English, Halter, Trail, Ranch, Speed and Reining, so everyone got to show. “Next year, we will need to bring in more stalls to accommodate the popularity of the show,” said Doug Brown, PCQHA president.

One of the most touching moments at the California Championship show was a special tribute award that was created to honor Chris Slauson. Chris, a well-loved, California Quarter Horse trainer, died unexpectedly several weeks ago. The special “Rising Star” award was a lovely custom Horse Show Closet saddle pad given by friends of Chris. The Rising Star award celebrates Chris’ passion for sportsmanship and love for the horse. The Chris Slauson Rising Star Award celebrated the youth Horsemanship rider with the best sportsmanship, love for the horse, and rising star attitude. The Rising Star award was presented by Chris’ wife, Sharon, to Elizabeth (Lizzy) Montez. Thanks to Angie LoCascio and friends for coordinating and sponsoring this special award to honor the memory of Chris Slauson.

2021 California Championship Saddle Champions & Reserve Champion Saddle Pads:

• Hunter Under Saddle – Champion – Bianca Cowan – Hot N Single
• Reserve – Brenda Ogden – Al Be At the Bar
• Western Pleasure Saddle Champion – Susan K Johns – KM Flat Out the Best
• Reserve – Nina Chandler – Just Plain Sleepy
• Level 1 Youth Pattern Champion – Callie Nichole Hogg – RL Touch of Sudden
• Reserve – Taylor Hinely – Kabillionaire
• Level 1 Amateur Pattern Champion – Allison Dahlgren – Suddenly Im Strutin
• Reserve – Kristina Arroyo – Gotta Cowboy Up
• Youth Pattern Saddle Champion – Ella Marie Wight – The Kutest Krymsyn
• Amateur Pattern Saddle Champion – Emily Hudson – Suddenly Acquited
• Reserve – Ciera Bennett – Set on Kruze
• Select Pattern Saddle Champion – Toni Ward – Good Cowboy Cassanova
• Reserve – Patty Barrett – Atouch of Excellence
• Trail Saddle Champion – Sayelotomylethalfrin – Bobbi Shaw- owner
• Reserve – Always the Talk – Dr Kimberly Ann Guenther- owner
• Ranch Riding Saddle Champion – Nancy Cline – Stop That Badger
• Reserve – Michelle Marden Ingram – Caucha Spin N
• Reining Saddle Champion – Ann Marie Brumleu – Dunit With a Blond
• Reserve – Ron Shatley – Gotta Good Nite

All Around / High Point Winners

• 11 & Under Champion – Hailey Brown – Call Me Interested
• Reserve – Olivia Chrisman-Smith – KM Best Version
• Youth Walk Trot Champion – Olivia Chrisman-Smith – KM Best Version
• Reserve – Esme Roubanis – Radical Rumble
• Amateur Walk Trot Champion – Deborah Casaubon – Out for Chocolate
• Reserve – Unchippable Chatty – Megan A Thorne
• Level 1 Youth Champion – Callie Nichole Hogg – RL Touch Of Sudden
• Reserve – Sara Wohlleben – Kisses Required
• Level 1 Amateur Champion – Allison Dahlgren – Suddenly I Strutin
• Reserve – Christine Kemp – Willy Wicked Good
• Youth  Champion – Callie Nichole Hogg – RL Touch of Sudden
• Reserve – Saige Rebecca Vigil – Credit Machine
• Amateur Champion – Emily Hudson – Suddenly Acquited
• Reserve – Madelyn Reese – Like My Lope
• Select Champion – Lynda Gress – The Lineman
• Reserve – Heidi Rasor – The Company You Keep
• Open Champion – Susan K Johns – KM Flat Out the Best
• Reserve – Brandice Smith – Smoking Groov

CHEERS TO ALL OUR CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONS!

For a full list of results, go to CaliforniaChampionship.com

As with all successful events, we have many who helped ensure the California Championship show was a success. First, the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association board of directors, who worked countless hours to assist both before and at the show. Check out the PCQHA website for a list of our directors at PCQHA.com. In addition, our sincere gratitude goes to our generous horse community who sponsored the show:

Spectacular Gold Plus Arena & Gold Plus Sponsors:

Gold, Corporate & Arena Sponsor – The EMO Agency, Chris Hocutt
Gold Plus / Arena Sponsor – Equine Chronicle, Tom and Amy Grabe
Gold Plus – Arena Sponsor – Corro, Jenny Stracke
Gold Plus Sponsor – Horse Show Closet, Stephanie & Megan Harrison
Gold Plus Futurity Sponsor – Ogden Ranch, Brenda Ogden

Elite Saddle Sponsors:

Saddle -Amateur (Level 1) Pattern Horse – Mike Weaver Performance Horses, Deb & Ron Shatley
Saddle – Youth Pattern Horse – Trendsetter Performance Horses, Kellie Hinely, Deann Hudson
Saddle – Youth (Level 1) Pattern Horse – Frodsham Farms, Judy Bonham
Saddle – Select Amateur Pattern Horse – Busick Quarter Horses, David & Cheryl Busick
Saddle – Amateur Pattern Horse – Hanson Quarter Horses, Cathy Hanson & Cherie Vonada
Saddle – Western Riding – Oak Spring Ranch, Kathryn Devries Mitchell
Saddle – Western Pleasure – Sterling Custom Saddles – Kathys Show Equipment, Stacy Dial
Saddle – Trail – Trendsetter Performance Horses, Kellie Hinely, Deann Hudson
Saddle – Speed Events – Lazy K Bar T Quarter Horses, Marc & Kate Ristow
Saddle – Reining – Mission Oaks Quarter Horses, Doug Brown & Tim Parker
Saddle – Ranch Riding – PCQHA, Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Assn
Saddle – Hunter Under Saddle – Close By Ranch, Cece & Brad Campbell

Superb Gold Sponsors:

Susie Johns & Kathy Tobin, Kristin Brock Show Horses, Zanetti Performance Horses, Pyranha/Adeptus Nutrition, Total Image Show Apparel, Patrice Vernand Performance Horses, Wheeler Performance Horses, Tonya Brown Quarter Horses, Rick Kelley Performance Horses, Barbara Fletcher Performance Horses, Michael Hoyt Performance Horses, Jill And Murray Show Horses, Pacific Coast Publications, Kevin Dukes Performance Horses, Living Large LLC, Roberts Ranch Performance Horses, Liz Place Performance Horses, Tamara Coulson Show Horses, Ridgeview Ranch, Renee Baker Performance Horses, Equine & Canine News, Santa Barbara Equine Evac

Special Silver Sponsors: Carolyn Rice Quarter Horses, Horse Logic Pro

Generous Bronze Sponsors: Encina Inn/Best Western Plus Santa Barbara, Hampton Inn Airport, Sarah Faught Quarter Horses, Turnbull Training Stables, Clay Macleod, Hayes Hat Co/ Lucky You Show Clothing, Counting Stars Performance Horses, Silver Lining Ranch, Angie Locascio, Profound Treatment, Jim, Kathy Rauch/Sandy Ballard

Great Class Sponsors: Beth Clemons Performance Horses, O3 Animal Health, Light Rein Performance Horses, Edwards Performance Horses, DM Equine