District IV “No Bling” Show Provides Avenue For AQHA Newcomers to “Get Their Boots Wet”
Photo courtesy of High Time Photography.
By: Brittany Bevis
A forerunner to the now popular AQHA Rookie Division, the North Carolina Quarter Horse Association District IV “No Bling” Shows were originally created as an outlet for newcomers to “get their boots wet” at an AQHA approved event. The fun, casual atmosphere of these shows emphasize the “No Bling” idea by encouraging competitors to wear a long-sleeved, collared shirt, jeans, cowboy hat, and boots, (all of which are required in the AQHA Rulebook) as well as no fancy tack required.
According to the NCQHA website, “This ‘come as you are’ concept is seen as a positive step towards allowing all levels of riders to participate.”
The most recent “No Bling” show was held July 18-19 in Raleigh, North Carolina in conjunction with a District IV AQHA show. The two-day event was judged by Jackie Starnes and Brad Gibby.
In an effort to provide an affordable, entry-level option for industry newcomers, the all-inclusive AQHA show fee for the two day event, which included a stall, was only $200. (Price excluded walk-trot and special event classes)
Photo courtesy of High Time Photography
President of the North Carolina Quarter Horse Association, Randy Ratliff, explained the many benefits of providing an entry level show like “No Bling” to local station News & Observer in a brief video that was filmed on the show grounds. Click here to view: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article27880129.html
Take a look at some of the class numbers from the District IV “No Bling” July Show:
- Rookie Youth Showmanship- 11
- L1 Youth Showmanship- 11
- L1 Youth Hunter Under Saddle- 11
- L1 Amateur Showmanship- 12
- Western Open Walk-Jog-12
- English Open Walk-Trot- 13
In other NCQHA News, the District IV Little River Circuit will be returning to North Carolina in 2016. It will be held at the Bob Martin Agricultural Center in Williamston, May 20-22.
Photo courtesy of High Time Photography
Special thanks to High Time Photography for sharing some fun photos from the show.
Click on the links below to view results.
Click here to view No Bling results.
Click here to view AQHA results.
Click here to view AQHA Special Event results.
Photo courtesy of High Time Photography
Photo courtesy of High Time Photography
