Take Advantage of New AQHA World Show Invitation Method For Halter Competitors by Showing “The Loop”

By: Brittany Bevis

Recently, AQHA made an announcement about a new World Show qualification invitation method that was approved for halter competitors. The concept, whereby amateur, select, and open halter competitors can earn an invitation to the World Show by competing at a specific number of shows during the qualifying period, was approved by the AQHA Executive Committee during a meeting in October. (*with the exception of performance halter)

The basic requirements state that to earn an invitation, an amateur or select amateur must show at ten shows in a halter class. In contrast, open competitors must show at 20 shows in a halter class. Of course, this new method is just one option for qualifying as exhibitors will still be able to qualify by earning the designated number of points during a qualifying period.

Four horse shows have come together to take full advantage of this new rule by encouraging halter competitors to show “The Loop.” Susan Daniels of the Martinganza Quarter Horse Show and Futurity explains.

“The Loop features four different AQHA circuits – one following the other on the East Coast,” Daniels says. “With AQHA’s new rule for halter, we thought we would incorporate the four shows together because they total 20 shows. Folks can show at the first Virginia show, then head to Lumberton, NC, on to Martinganza in Williamston, NC, and back to the VA show. For folks that are on the road showing and are used to going from show to show, this is a wonderful opportunity to get [qualifying] done in one month, basically.”

The four shows include in The Loop are

• VQHA Spring Breakout– March 20-23 in Lexington, VA
• BBHA Mid Winter Show– March 28-30 in Lumberton, NC.
• Martinganza Quarter Horse Show and Futurity– April 3-6 in Williamston, NC
• Virginia Quarter Horse Classic– April 10-13 in Lexington, VA

Daniels believes this new invitation method of World Show qualification will be especially helpful for halter competitors on the East Coast.

“I think it will benefit the halter horse competitors because halter entries have suffered the last few years,” she says. “This gives exhibitors the chance to show for the invitation to the World Show, where there will be competition and really good horses. In our area, a lot of the stallion owners have had difficulty getting their young horses qualified, and this will help that scenario tremendously. Stallions in breeding season that are within driving distance of these shows can get their shows in, and it won’t take a lot of time away from the breeding barn. It could be a win-win for everyone.”

As exhibitors gear up for the Martinganza Quarter Horse Show and Futurity in April in North Carolina, Daniels has already begun receiving stall reservations.

“We are looking forward to a GREAT Martinganza show,” she says. “We have the barbecue dinner on Friday night with the mechanical bull and DJ for entertainment. We have lots of things planned and hopefully, a GREAT time for everyone.”

For more information about any of the shows in The Loop, website links and contact numbers have been made available below.

VQHA Spring Breakout and Virginia Quarter Horse Classic Contact: Steve Meadows (540) 294-8282

BBHA Mid Winter Show Contact: Linda Falls- (910) 740-1943

Martinganza Quarter Horse Show and Futurity Contact: Susan Daniels- (919) 894-0600