Courtesy of AQHA
More than 770 AQHYA members from across the globe competed at this year’s Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show for the chance to take home a coveted gold globe.
That’s a wrap on the 2017 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show! AQHYA exhibitors from the United States, Canada, Costa Rica and Luxembourg competed for 35 world championship titles and 33 Adequan® Level 2 championships August 4-12 at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.
More than 1,000 horses and 773 exhibitors competed in western, English and halter events. In addition to Level 3 and Adequan® Level 2 classes, the top three 13-&-Under competitors were also recognized within each class in both levels. Entries were up by more than 1,100 entries compared to last year, largely in part to the addition of the Adequan® Level classes.
The 2017 youth teams were recognized during the Parade of Teams in the Jim Norick Arena. The 2016 AQHYA year-end high-point winners were also recognized during the Parade of Teams. All youth teams and youth high-point winners were honored in front of their peers, friends and family for their great accomplishments.
AQHA Professional Horsemen volunteered their time to give free Ride the Pattern clinics. These clinics gave exhibitors and spectators the perfect opportunity to learn how AQHA Professional Horsemen approach a class or pattern. Thanks in part to Nutrena’s generosity to match the amount donated at the Ride the Pattern clinics, the Professional Horsemen Scholarship Fund raised more than $5,500. An additional $500 was donated to the AQHA Professional Horsemen Crisis Fund from the proceeds of the Kendra Scott Pop-Up Jewelry Sale.
Attendees of the Ford Youth World took home fur-ever friends from The Paws Cause dog adoption event on August 6; met with colleges and universities at the college fair August 7-8; cut a rug at the dance on August 7; and mingled with friends at the exhibitor party on August 11, where attendees took part in the dog race and dog costume contest.
New this year, the AQHYA Community Service and Youth World Show committees, along with the AQHYA Board of Directors, partnered with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to host a food and fund drive during the show. More than 740 pounds of nonperishable food and personal care items were donated, in addition to monetary donations that will provide 300 meals to those in need. The food drive also served as a contest among regions to see which region could donate the largest amount of items during the show. Region 8 donated the most and earned a certificate from the AQHYA Board of Directors.
Additionally, AQHA offered a $2,500-added open 5D barrel race with a $500-added AQHA side pot open for anyone to haul in and participate. The barrel race had more than 200 entries and was approved by AQHA, Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.
Photos courtesy of American Quarter Horse Journal