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now being accepted for Young Rider competition
U.S. Equestrian Team
eyes potential reining team members at APHA
World Show
FORT WORTH-Young equestrians
interested in one day representing the United
States in reining competitions around the world
can move a step closer to their dream on June
28 during the American Paint Horse Association's
(APHA) 2001 World Championship Paint Horse Show
in Fort Worth, Texas. At that time, reiners
between the ages of 16 and 21 will have the
opportunity to compete in a Young Rider Reining
Medal Class, which is being hosted by APHA in
conjunction with the United States Equestrian
Team (USET).
The event is designed to help USET test the
abilities of individual reiners and identify
future international riders. Through their participation
in the Reining Medal Class, exhibitors will
gain valuable horsemanship experience.
This is the first year USET is holding the
Young Rider Reining Medal Class competition
at select shows across the country. The competitions
will take place from May 21, 2001 through May
20, 2002. The overall top 20 riders from USET
competitions around the United States, plus
those tied for 20th place, will go on to the
"Festival of Champions" finals in
Gladstone, N.J., next year.
"Holding this qualifying event at our
World Show presents a great opportunity for
us to help the United States Equestrian Team
discover the talents of our members," said
Tina Anderson, APHA director of shows. "We
support what the USET is doing to encourage
young riders to strive for excellence and we
hope to see a large turnout of participants
at our World Show."
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Eligibility requirements. In order to participate,
competitors must be USET members prior to the start of competition.
They may take part in the Young Rider class competitions and
championships from the beginning of the year they reach the
age of 16 until the end of the year that they reach age 21.
In addition, exhibitors at the APHA World Show must be current
members of APHA, and horses must be registered in the association's
Regular Registry or Breeding Stock Registry.
Judging and prizes. The class at the APHA World Show
will be conducted and judged in accordance with American Horse
Show Association (AHSA) Reining Rules and Guidelines, with
the exception that Young Riders will be permitted to ride
stallions and do not need to own the horse.
A trophy will be provided for the first-place winner, while
ribbons will be awarded for first through sixth places.
Future finals competition. The overall top 20 riders
from USET competitions around the United States, plus any
ties for 20th place, qualify for the finals at the USET Festival
of Champions, based on points from qualifying classes held
May 21, 2001 through May 20, 2002.
USET gold, silver and bronze Young Rider medals. Special
awards will be given to reiners who have achieved outstanding
competition records in qualifying classes. Winners of five
USET Young Rider Reining Medal classes will receive a bronze
medal, winners of 10 classes will receive a silver medal and
winners of 15 classes will earn a gold medal.
APHA World Show and entry information. If you are
interested in participating in the Young Rider Reining Medal
Class at the APHA World Show, be sure to have your entry form
postmarked by May 15 to avoid late fees. For complete entry
information on the World Show, as well as details on the Young
Rider Reining Medal Class, contact Ginger Theis, APHA director
of youth activities, at (817) 834-2742, extension 248. The
2001 World Championship Paint Horse Show will be held June
24-July 7, at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth,
Texas.
On-line information. See www.aphaworldshow.com
for more facts about the APHA World Show, including a complete
show schedule.
Additional information about the United States Equestrian Team
is available at the USET Web site at www.uset.org. |
