Newly Defined Leveling Classes Were Huge Hit at 2014 IQHYA Show

By: Brittany Bevis

The newly redefined AQHA leveling classes were a huge hit at the recent Indiana Quarter Horse Youth Association show that took place in Cloverdale April 24-27. Although some new Leveling rules were put into place for the 2014 show season, the essential goal of the program remained the same, to help level the playing field and encourage participation among newcomers in the sport.

By looking at the entry totals for the show, it’s easy to see that the leveled classes were definitely the most popular. For example, L1 Trail saw 21 entries, L1 Amateur Western Horsemanship had 18, L1 Youth Western Horsemanship had 22, L1 Amateur Showmanship had 19, L1 Youth Showmanship had 33, L1 Youth Hunt Seat Equitation had 26, and L1 Amateur Western Pleasure had 23.

While the 2013 system consisted of levels like Open, Intermediate, Progressive, Novice, Green, and Rookie, the new 2014 divisions include Level 3, Level 2, Level 1, and Rookie. Still, the basic idea of the program is a handicapping system that’s based on prior points and awards earned during competition.

If you’re still unsure what level you and your horse fall into for 2014, click here to use AQHA’s new online verification tool. For more information about how leveling works click here.

Judges for the IQHYA show were Brett Clark, Mike Carter, Rob Meneely, Kelly Smith, Dawn Clason, and Jennifer Goss. In addition to multiple parties and daily random drawings, competitors were treated to the 8th Annual Egg and Spoon Race. 28 entries competed and the big winner was Dena Shafer!

Click here to view results from S/C 1, courtesy of Mark Harrell Horse Shows.

Click here to view results from S/C 2, courtesy of Mark Harrell Horse Shows.

Click here to view candid photos courtesy of Wild Oats Farm and Mark Harrell Horse Shows and arena shots courtesy of Holman Photography.

Circuit Champion results:

Level 1/Green Trail- Chex Out My Lope & Jeff Greaves

Jr Trail- HP Ima Foxy Dreamer & Joni Nelson

Level 1/Novice Am. Trail- Bettin On Me & Emily Marschand

Amateur Trail- Invitation In Black & Katie Grossnickle

Amateur Select Trail- Lopin Leaguer & Eileen Cravens

Sr Trail- Flashy Invite & Jennifer Paul

Small Fry Trail- Honk And Wave & Caroline Fredenburg

Level 1/Novice YA Trail- Mister Spontaneous & Sophia Galley

Youth Trail- Flashy Invite & Sammie Johnson

Amateur Reining- Ginitas Trip & Beth Ann Biber

Youth Reining- Whizkee & Bailey Walters

Open Reining- Whizkee & Brett Walters

Youth Ranch Horse Pleasure- Whizkee & Bailey Walters

Ranch Horse Pleasure- Whizkee & Bailey Walters

Level 1/Green W. Riding- Allured To Chocolate & Brian Baker

Jr Western Riding- The Perfect Kryme & Brad Kearns

Level 1/Nov. Am. W. Riding- Te For Moore & Codi McConnell

Amateur Western Riding- Cool Movin Lady & Jessica Baird

Level 1/Nov. YA W. Riding- Zippin Hot Harley & Morgan Koontz

Youth Western Riding- Promotional Asset & Lauren Diaz

Sr Western Riding- Lopin Leaguer & Brent Tincher

Level 1/Nov. Am Horsemanship- Bettin On Me & Emily Marschand

Am Horsemanship- Essentially Good & Hailey Thornton

Select Horsemanship- Good On The Rocks & Beth Tirey

Level 1/Nov. YA Horsemanship- Zippo Lightair & Sydney Ochs

Horsemanship – 13 & Under- Sterling Version & Olivia Tordoff

Horsemanship – 14-18- Promotional Asset & Lauren Diaz

Click here to view more Circuit Champion results.

High Point Results:

Small Fry-

1 – Honk And Wave & Caroline Fredenburg

2 – Ima True Cool Classic & Samantha Gwinnup 3 – Sweet N Adorable & Haley Kralek

Novice Amateur/Level 1-

1 – Bettin On Me & Emily Marschand

2 – Lopin To Town & Christine Jefferson

3 – Gota Lota Chex & Lauren Stepaniak

Amateur-

1 – Essentially Good & Hailey Thornton

2 – Gota See The Light & Dena Shafer

3 – Always The Best Man & Katie Grossnickle

Select-

1 – Lopin Leaguer & Eileen Cravens

2 – Aint She Radical & Cindy Durham 3 – Willy In Aliceland & Lana Work

Novice Youth/Level 1-

1 – Zippo Lightair & Sydney Ochs

2 – ML Dynamic Venture & Mackenzie Boone 3 – Mister Spontaneous & Sophia Galley

13 & under-

1 – EBG Groovy Affair & Kiersten Beckner 2 – Zips Bossy Chip & Ellexxah Maxwell

3 – Rollin N Chocolate & Kenzie Bailey

14-18-

1 – Flashy Invite & Sammie Johnson

2 – Promotional Asset & Lauren Diaz

3 – TH Its Only Money & Lexi Kim

Open-

1 – Flashy Invite – Kyle & Patrice Johnson, owners

2 – HP Ima Foxy Dreamer – Galloping B Ranch LLC, owners

3 – Huntin A Girl – Chelsea Martz, owner