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

Press Release

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.