The American Quarter Horse Journal, April 15, 2009 \u2013 Just starting your horse-showing career? Reach your showing goals at one of the AQHA Regional Experiences this spring or summer. AQHA\u2019s Regional Experiences give you an attainable target in a fun, learning-friendly environment. Come and learn from our clinicians \u2013 and then up your goals for next year!<\/p>\n
AQHA started Regional Experiences in 2005 to give people who are excited about competing with American Quarter Horses a fun way to show in a less stressful or intimidating environment. Since then, the events have grown and offered people of all levels a new way to compete. Even those seeking more knowledge are finding Regional Experiences a great place, with educational sessions offered for any horse enthusiast. Another great addition is that of the Region 11 Experience in Germany.<\/p>\n
Regional Experiences are open to exhibitors and owners residing in the respective states or provinces comprising the 11 AQHA regions. Each exhibitor must be a current AQHA member and all horses must be AQHA registered. You or your horse cannot show the same class in any division (novice youth, youth, novice amateur, amateur, amateur select or open) at a Regional Experience that you placed in the top 10 in the preceding calendar year\u2019s FedEx Open, Bank of America Amateur, Bayer Select or Ford AQHYA World Championship Shows. Additionally, horses or people who might advance to another class because of age and have placed in the top 10 at one of AQHA\u2019s world shows cannot enter the same class at the regional level. For more eligibility details and frequently asked questions about the Regional Experiences, visit www.aqha.com\/association\/experience\/faq.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n But these events aren\u2019t just about competition. At each of the events, which are managed by the AQHA state, provincial or international affiliates in each region, exhibitors and visitors can attend educational seminars and clinics, shop at a trade show and socialize with fellow American Quarter Horse enthusiasts. Hardship applications are available for an exhibitor who wants to compete at a Regional Experience in a region of which they are not a resident or to show a horse in a region of which the owner is not a resident. Application for hardship must be submitted to AQHA on or before the pre-entry deadline of the Regional Experience they want to attend. The application must then be approved by the chair of each region involved. Go to www.aqha.com\/association\/experience<\/a> and click on 2009 Regional Experience Hardship Application.
\nFor those who do compete, more than $135,000 in prizes is up for grabs! Go to www.aqha.com\/association\/experience\/prizes.html<\/a> to view the prizes.<\/p>\n
\nRegional Experiences start in May \u2013 so get ready for great fun at an Experience in your region. Here are the dates, locations and contact information for this year\u2019s Regional Experiences:<\/p>\n