LET AQHA’S TEAM WRANGLER TAKE YOU TO YOUR FIRST SHOW

Online Contest – “It’s My First Show” Winner featured on RFD-TV

America’s Horse, June 11, 2008 – “AQHA Presents,” the American Quarter Horse Association’s weekly television series, will begin collecting applicants for Team Wrangler’s next online contest “Team Wrangler – It’s My First Show.” AQHA members will have the chance to get the support and help they need from Team Wrangler members before entering the show ring.

The online essay contest is exclusively for AQHA members who are current members as of June 5. Members can log on to www.aqhamembers.com  anytime between June 16 and July 7, and in 150 words or less, tell how they need help from a Team Wrangler member with their American Quarter Horse in preparation for showing at either an AQHA All-Novice Show, Regional Experience or in AQHA classes at an open show.

AQHA will fly at least two Team Wrangler members to the winner’s barn to help the rider prepare for their first show. Plus, the Team Wrangler training session will be taped and become an episode of “AQHA Presents” airing on RFD-TV.

“We want to create opportunities for those who haven’t been able to compete because of lack of direction or knowledge have the ability to finally do so with professional help,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer. “This contest will allow for an individual to become more educated and confident with their showing skills.”

AQHA members who have dreamed about showing for a long time and are excited but a little bit nervous can lean on these AQHA Professional Horsemen. Team Wrangler members will help polish the American Quarter Horse and prep the winner before leaving home. They’ll also be able to ease nerves and give last-minute pointers before the winner enters the arena.
“AQHA Presents” television series on RFD-TV includes educational and entertaining shows featuring top Team Wrangler members. In addition to “It’s My First Show,” other Team Wrangler shows include “What’s It Like To,” where Team Wrangler members give a one-on-one lesson from their discipline, such as cutting or roping, to a member of the AQHA publications staff, and “Trading Saddles,” where Team Wrangler members trade places with another member of a different discipline.

“AQHA Presents” airs three times weekly – Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. CDT and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. CDT. Now available in more than 31 million homes, RFD-TV can be seen on satellite systems Dish (Channel 231) and DirectTV (Channel 379), as well as Mediacom, Charter, Suddenlink, Bresnan and Comcast cable systems. For more information on the network, visit www.rfdtv.com.

Team Wrangler is a joint effort of AQHA and AQHA Corporate Partner Wrangler and is a yearlong competition featuring members of the AQHA Association of Professional Horsemen representing both racing and show disciplines within the American Quarter Horse industry.

The “Team Wrangler – It’s My First Show” contest ends Monday, July 7, at 5 p.m. CDT. Complete contest rules are available at www.aqhamembers.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.