AQHA Region 3 Championships 2011 Show Schedule Set

The Region 3 Championships have set their 2011 show schedule and are pleased to announce several new additions to the show, slated for July 13-17, 2011 in St. Paul, Minnesota at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The biggest change exhibitors will see is the addition of AQHA pointed classes in Open, Amateur and Youth. These classes will be held separately from the Region 3 Championship classes, with two judges for two sets of AQHA points to be awarded. The show is also offering a lower crossover fee for exhibitors entering both the Region 3 Championship classes and the AQHA classes.

Returning to the show this year are the Team Penning and Ranch Sorting Classes. These classes were dropped for several reasons in 2010, but after hearing from several exhibitors and help in working out some of the difficulties, the committee is very pleased to have Open and Amateur Team Penning and Ranch Sorting at the Region 3 Championships and in the AQHA classes as well this year. Amateur and Open Pleasure Driving also returned to the show schedule in direct response to requests from exhibitors.

New in 2011 is the addition of Adult and Youth Rookie Classes in Trail, Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Showmanship at Halter, Western Pleasure, and Horsemanship. The rookie classes are limited to exhibitors who have shown in the AQHA class fewer than 10 times, have not won more than once or earned more than 1 AQHA point. They do not have to own the horse they show in the Rookie class, but it must be AQHA registered. The Rookie classes are an expansion of the First Time Exhibitor Classes previously offered.

The Region 3 Championships have also added a stall decorating contest to their list of fun activities, such as the watermelon feed, ice cream social and exhibitor party. AQHA Professional Horsemen will be presenting free clinics again this year, the clinics have proven very popular with the Region 3 exhibitors each year.

For entry information on the show please visit their website www.region3experience.com. The deadline for pre-entries in the Region 3 Championships is June 15, 2011. Entries will be accepted after that date with a late fee. Entries for the AQHA classes will be taken at the show.