AQHA: is partnering with the Pacific Coast on its novice championship show.

The American Quarter Horse Journal — The American Quarter Horse Association is partnering with one of its largest affiliates – the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association – to sponsor the PCQHA Novice Championship Show October 14 in Rancho Murieta, California.

Held for the first time in 2010, the PCQHA Novice Championship Show resulted in a good turnout of novice youth and novice amateur exhibitors. This year, the hhow will be open to exhibitors in three other states comprising the region (Arizona, Nevada and Utah) with each state setting its own qualifying criteria. Additionally, the top three finishers in the appropriate classes at the AQHA Region Seven Championship held in Salina, Utah, will receive an invitation to the PCQHA Novice Championship Show.

“This is an opportunity for AQHA to team with PCQHA to reach more novice show exhibitors in California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona, with the goal of fostering a greater relationship with those exhibitors as improvements and changes are made to the existing AQHA show structure,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of competition and breed integrity. “With AQHA talking about establishing a national Novice Championship Show in 2012, this partnership gives the Association the opportunity to take part in California’s Novice Championship to see how it operates.”

“PCQHA appreciates AQHA’s support for the PCQHA Novice Championship Show and is excited about expanding the show to include exhibitors from other states in our region” said PCQHA President Terry Skevington. “The AQHA support will enable us to expose more novice exhibitors to a championship–style show with first class awards.”

The PCQHA Novice Championship Show presented a great opportunity to support members and exhibitors in that area,” Persechino said. “We encourage other states to call or visit with us with ideas they might have that would appeal to exhibitors in their markets.”

A few highlights of this year’s PCQHA Novice Championship show:

• Exhibitors placing at the PCQHA Novice Championship Show will have this achievement included on their horses permanent record.

• PCQHA Novice championship show class winners will receive an automatic berth into the 2012 AQHA National Novice Championship Show(s) – dates and locations to be determined.

• PCQHA will team with AQHA Region Seven affiliates on a “Bring an Open-Show Friend” contest where exhibitors in the region will be encouraged to bring a friend and enter the show. Each person bringing a friend will be entered to win a prize.

• The top three finishers at the AQHA Region Seven Regional Championship, which is August 18-21 in Salina, Utah, will receive an invitation to the PCQHA Novice Championship Show.

• Each state in Region Seven will develop its own qualifying system for the PCQHA Novice Championship Show.

• Each horse and rider must reside in AQHA Region Seven.

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