The 2011 AQHA Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open World Championship Show wraps up in Oklahoma City

robynd

Press Release

The American Quarter Horse Journal, Amarillo, Texas – The AQHA World Show hosted 1,462 riders from the United States, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico and Venezuela who came to compete for more than $1.9 million in prize money in addition to custom-designed trophies, Montana Silversmiths champion belt buckles, logoed Cripple Creek jackets and the honor of being crowned an American Quarter Horse Association world champion.

Exhibitors qualified for the event by earning a predetermined number of points throughout the year to secure a spot in each of the classes. The show featured 94 classes, representing English, western and halter disciplines. The Oklahoma City economy received an estimated $32.8 million boost during the show’s fifteen-day run.

New this year, AQHA recognized the top three Intermediate exhibitors in each class at all four of its world championship shows. An Intermediate exhibitor is an exhibitor who has never placed in the top 10 at an AQHA world show in the particular class in which they are competing. Just as with the championship titles, three Intermediate awards will be given –champion, reserve champion and third place.

In addition to receiving world titles, three individuals were awarded top honors by being awarded the Farnam All-Around Amateur Award, Farnam Superhorse Award and the Oklahoma City Leading Owner Award.

Farnam All-Around Amateur contenders competed in a variety of events throughout the 2011 American Quarter Horse Association Bank of America Amateur World Championship Show. This year, 64 contenders competed for the Farnam All-Around Amateur Award.

On November 11, Lauren Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania, who showed Its My Lucky Detail, received the award. Its My Lucky Detail is a 2001 bay gelding, owned by Madison Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania. Its My Lucky Detail, sired by Last Detail and out of Run To Seattle by Seattle Song, was bred by Larry and Linda Whitaker of Rogers, Arkansas. Eichstadt and Its My Lucky Detail earned 39 points competing in three classes. They placed third in amateur working hunter and amateur hunter hack. The pair also won the reserve champion title in amateur equitation over fences.

The Farnam Superhorse award is the top honor at the AQHA World Show. It is awarded to the horse who earns the most points in three or more events in two categories during the show. The winning owner receives $25,000 plus $2,000 of Farnam product, a WeatherBeeta blanket and an original Lisa Perry bronze. There were 46 contenders for the Farnam Superhorse this year.

Donald Tisdale of Castle Rock, Colorado, was awarded the Farnam Superhorse award on November 19 with his American Quarter Horse Chex This Dually. Chex This Dually, sired by Please Send Money and out of Docs Fashion Model, was bred by Durwood Strube of Proctor, Texas. The 2001 sorrel gelding earned 49 points in three classes. He was shown by AQHA Professional Horseman J.D. Yates to the reserve world champion title in senior tie-down roping and senior heading and third place in senior heeling.

Rita Crundwell of Dixon, Illinois, earned the title of the 2011 Oklahoma City Leading Owner for the eighth year in a row on November 19 at the 2011 American Quarter Horse Association FedEx Open World Championship Show. Crundwell entered 19 horses to compete in this year’s world show.
The award is presented to the owner who earns the most points with horses entered and shown in the 2011 FedEx Open World Championship Show. At least three horses must be entered and shown for an owner to be eligible for the award. All horses must be in the same single ownership identification as listed on the official entry form.

For more news from the Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open World Championship Show, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.

We look forward to seeing you next year for the Pfizer Versatility Ranch Horse World Championship Show in Houston March 1-3, 2012, Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City August 3-11, Adequan Select World Championship Show in Amarillo August 26- September 1 and Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open World Championship Show in Oklahoma City November 3-17.