AQHA VERSATILITY RANCH HORSE ADDS AMATEUR COMPETITION

Amarillo, Texas, January 10, 2005 – The American Quarter Horse Association’s Versatility Ranch Horse expands in 2006 with the addition of amateur and novice amateur competition. The AQHA Show Committee approved the addition to the amateur division at the 2005 AQHA Convention in March.

“We received requests from AQHA members wanting to compete in versatility ranch horse competitions although they are not directly involved in ranching,” said Charlie Hemphill, AQHA Senior Director of Shows. “Now amateur exhibitors have the opportunity to compete in this exciting event.”

In order to compete in the amateur division, exhibitors must fulfill the amateur requirements under Rule 403 in the AQHA Official Handbook. Amateur and novice amateur divisions show concurrently with the open ranch division with placings for each respective division recorded. Amateur and/or novice amateur entries will be counted as open entries and will be awarded open points if placed within the classes. Amateur and/or novice amateur entries then will be placed and points will be awarded for their individual divisions.

Versatility Ranch Horse competition, which debuted in 2002, is a five-class event that showcases the ability of the American Quarter Horse as a working stock horse. The events – ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch cutting, working ranch horse and ranch conformation – are individually placed classes with credits awarded. The credits are then totaled to determine the overall placings. Incentive Fund-nominated horses can earn money in Versatility Ranch Horse competition, and there are year-end high-point awards sponsored by the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth, Texas.

For more information about the Versatility Ranch Horse competition, including a fact sheet and list of upcoming events, visit aqha.com/showing. A DVD about the program, including runs from each of the five classes, can be ordered through Quarter Horse Outfitters at quarterhorseoutfitters.com or (888) 209-8322.

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