Inaugural Championship Event Set for AQHA Exhibitors in the Western United States in Las Vegas

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A new Championship-Style show sponsored by the EMO Agency is planned for July 5-10, 2016 in the climate controlled South Point Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Christened as the “EMO Western States Championship”, this show offers registered American Quarter Horses and AQHA members from the Western U.S. a stepping stone between Novice (Level 1) Championship Shows and AQHA Open, Amateur, Select and AQHYA World shows. Qualifying begins January 1, 2015 and ends Dec. 31, 2015. Rules for qualification and eligibility can be found at WesternStatesChampionship.org.

At the EMO Western States Championship show exhibitors will compete for Championship trophies and money in open, amateur (including select) and youth Western and English rail classes, trail, western riding, reining, working cow horse, roping, speed events and halter classes. For a complete list of classes, go to WesternStatesChampionship.org.

Eligibility is based on two items, first, horse and exhibitor must live west of the Mississippi River and secondly, horses or youth and amateur exhibitors must not have placed in the top three in the same class at the AQHA World Show, the AQHYA World Show or the AQHA Select World Show or certain other breed Championship shows in recent years. However, such horses and amateur and youth exhibitors can qualify for the EMO Western States Championship show in other classes.

Owners and exhibitors can receive an invitation to EMO Western States Championship show by either qualifying nationally or through a state affiliate. To qualify nationally a horse, a youth or amateur exhibitor must show at 10 AQHA approved shows, by show number, in the respective class. Open horses will qualify no matter the exhibitor, qualification for youth and amateur classes will be on a one-horse, one-rider basis. Qualification is by class for either the open horse or the youth or amateur and horse combination. Exhibitors wishing to show in more than one class at the Championship show must qualify in each class.

For competitors interested in qualifying through their state, AQHA affiliates have until June 30, 2015 to submit qualifying methods, which will be posted on WesternStatesChampionship.org. Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association (California) has already submitted a state qualifying plan. If your affiliate does not submit a qualifying method, you must qualify through another affiliate or nationally qualify.

In addition to the Championship Classes, four sets of AQHA open, amateur (including select) and youth classes will be offered in conjunction with the EMO Western States Championship. You do not need to qualify to show in the AQHA classes. For information about the AQHA shows being held in conjunction with the EMO Western States Championship, see WesternStatesChampionship.org.

As the proud sponsor of the EMO Western States Championship trophy to be awarded in performance and halter classes, the EMO Agency has been providing the highest quality of equine and farm insurance coverage through the best rated insurance companies for over 30 years. Dedicated to the industry that it serves, The EMO Agency has also supported the horse industry through sponsorships and special programs.

EMO Western States Championship Show Fast Facts:

  • Show Date: July 5-10, 2016
  • Show Location: South Point Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Qualifying Period: January 1- Dec. 31, 2015
  • Class Divisions: Open, amateur (including select) and youth
    • Classes Offered: Western and English rail classes, trail, western riding, reining, working cow horse, roping, speed events and halter. For a complete list of classes, go to WesternStatesChampionship.org.
    • Qualify Nationally: Horse, youth or amateur exhibitor must show at 10 AQHA approved shows in respective class. Shows count by show numbers on a one-horse, one-rider basis. Qualification is by class so if you want to show in more than one class you must qualify in each class (10 shows for each class).
    • Qualify by State: AQHA affiliates have until June 30, 2015 to submit qualifying methods, which will be posted on WesternStatesChampionship.org. Arizona Quarter Horse Association and Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association (California) have state qualifying plans. If your affiliate does not submit a qualifying method, you must qualify through another affiliate or nationally qualify.
    • Eligibility: All Registered Quarter Horses & riders West of the Missisippi River, except for top three exhibitors/horses in same class at the AQHA World Show, the AQHYA World Show or the AQHA Select World Show or certain other breed Championship shows in recent years may not show in that same class. Horses/exhibitors can can qualify for the EMO Western States Championship show in other classes.
    • Awards: Championship Trophies and Money
      • AQHA Show (Runs Concurrently): Four sets of AQHA open, amateur (including select) and youth classes. No qualifying is required to compete in these shows.
      • Moredetails: Go to WesternStatesChampionship.org

 

The EMO Western States Championship is being presented by Western States Affiliates, a nonprofit venture between Arizona Quarter Horse Association and Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association. Questions concerning the EMO Western States Championship and the AQHA shows being held at the same time, contact Doug Huls, the show manager at [email protected]. For more news and information,  visit  WesternStatesChampionship.org.