Irish Classic Provides Rare Opportunity For AQHA and APHA Competitors to Come Together
EC Blog by: Ashley Roach
Hosted by the Oregon Quarter Horse Association, the 2018 Irish Classic held March 15-18 was a fun-filled four days of friendly St. Paddy’s day competition. As many west-coast trainers have multiple breeds of horses in their program, this show was a rare opportunity in which both AQHA/APHA attendees had a chance to come together and gain invaluable arena time in preparation for the upcoming AQHA Level One Championships in Las Vegas, NV April 18-22 and the Western Regional Zone 2 Show and Paint-O-Rama in South Jordan, UT May 24-28. Judges were Marty Jo Hays, Tanya Muse Green, Marvin Kapushion and Carly Veldman-Parks.
Being a newcomer to the Quarter Horse circuit, the community has been nothing short of welcoming and supportive. I have been incredibly impressed with my local club and its emphasis on the amateur program. In an effort to foster new competitors, OQHA offers free Rookie classes at each of their shows. This program allowed me to enter additional classes and, with the AQHA Level One Championships right around the corner, the added arena time was a confidence builder.
My new teammate, Midnight Dreamer, a 4-year-old gray mare known around the barn as “Sara,” and I were three-time circuit champions and now have our sights set on Las Vegas, where we look forward to competing amongst some of the best in our industry. Congratulations to amateur Highpoint winners: Melody Duncan/Invitation In Chrome (AQHA), Jeana Bingaman/Invite Me I Am Hot (AQHA), Jeannine Miller/Vested Me Good (AQHA), Jennifer Lee/Mr Dual Smoke (AQHA), Kari Binek/JZA Some Kinda Zip (APHA), and Roxanne Driver/Shesacertainsensation (APHA)
Saturday night, OQHA members put the fun in fundraising at the Annual Wine and Cheese Party. This social event featured a live auction of assorted gift baskets and other items generously donated by: Ambition Performance Horses, Dee Bar Farms, Jim and Vicki Hoyt, NC Premier Versatility Training, Nutrena Feeds, O’Hara Stock Farm, Quarter Pony Saddlery, Square Knot Performance Horses, TMK Creamery, Westbrook’s Performance Horses. This year’s auction raised over $1,700 which goes to support the amateur division and allows OQHA to provide 15 additional top 5 year-end awards including; custom spurs, buckles, headstalls, blankets, and jackets!
Below are photos from around the arena at the 2018 Irish Classic, courtesy of Ashley Roach, Red Dirt Road Photography, and Samantha Pratt Photography.
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