BroncoMo, I am posting the flyer attached to this thread at the Colo Horse Park for local CHJA shows the next two weekends… The May Spring A rated shows are smaller than the AA summer shows, and maaaybe something to ask about for next year to tag on an English Special Event, as they already have judges they like with both cards. Come down for one of the Colo Horse Park Spring shows in May and by then I should know more. Not showing, since I have a new 3 year old baby mare to bring along, but always spend some time there as I live very close.
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Plumcreek I’ll see if we can meet up in May when I come down. Would love to see this gain some traction. I’m still fairly new to the open hunter scene so kind of unsure about how far out they select judges, what cards they hold, what events a special event could be held at (must be USEF rated or no?), etc. So would really like to chat with someone who has a foot in both worlds.
BroncoMo, this coming Saturday morning is Colorado’s ONE AQHA show with fence classes at The Ranch in Loveland. It is tagged onto a Paint show, and last year the QH hunter and hunter hack classes were not even half a point.
I will be very interested to see how many sign up on the flyer to be kept in the loop for future events.at the CHJA shows at the CHP . I will put a new flyer up for the USEF shows to separate which shows drew more interest. Everyone involved in putting on these shows has been very helpful and also interested to see what develops, so not a problem to take this flyer to your local shows and post in the office with permission.
I’ve shown at this one before, a few years ago. But it seems any more that that ONE show ALWAYS conflicts with military obligations. And as you said, classes are tiny. So it’s not worth wasting my one excused absence for. So I haven’t been much use at growing the QH/Paint over fences here but it’s hard when there’s nothing to compete for; it’s a vicious cycle. Last time I showed a paint show, my horse and I were all kinds of out of whack, then I discovered the lines were set about 10 feet (when I have been drilling him to use a 12 foot step), and fence height was set well below what is usually used for the divisions in which I show. I feel like it did nothing to help us at all, so I have not intended on trying local breed shows with him as we are trying to step up to 3’ and beyond.
I’m pretty sure there must be more QHs around on the open circuit? Not all of them look like WBs and TBs to me. But perhaps they don’t want to come play in that ring. I’ll be interested as well to see if we can stir up any interest. I can see about posting the flyer at the WY shows, though this is ranching and gaming country. Not sure how many hunters we have lurking.
Just out of curiosity, what is USEF’s position on this? As I recall (don’t have my iPad to check rules in front of me), USEF isn’t a big fan of non-USEF classes being held during one of their competitions.
Hi Dana,
People who should be ‘in the know’ have not brought that issue up. . Most AQHA English Special Events would be at the state level shows, I suspect. How do USEF shows handle the Thoroughbred Incentive Program classes? Or the Young Horse free schooling classes that some large shows offered ?
I haven’t looked in the rule book, but I believe it’s mostly up to the individual show managers which classes they will offer that are not part of USEF recognized divisions. In most cases, I would think that the show manager would be willing to add something new if it’s requested in advance by exhibitors and there is room for it in the schedule. Then if it fills and brings in more entries, the show manager would probably be willing to offer it again.
I pulled out my iPad and looked it up. GR301.1.f would seem to apply and I read it that it would be okay as long as GR301.1.m was applied. Coming from an AQHA background, I hope more USEF shows put some AQHA classes into the schedule. Great way to introduce USEF people to QHs and QH folks to USEF.
Thank you Dana ! I see this as a win-win for all and we who worked on this absolutely were looking for a way to not just get more class entries, but to put to rest the hated “Wenglish” label plaguing the true AQHA hunter-type horses and riders.
I was wondering there would be any hate, coming from the “QHs should just stick to chasing cows” crowd. I have had nothing but pleasant experiences when people find out my horses are QHs, and have even had a few people comment that they could pass as warmblood and should go play in the USEF (one already has/does). But I do know there is a small vial crowd that sees them as nothing more than over-grown WP horses. Which we all know is not true. Hopefully the staunch traditionalists don’t become a road block.
To be honest I have found the usef riders to be shocked that my horses are qh. They never believe it as they don’t think qh can be that fancy. They usually think warmblood. Sometimes tb. The one issue I can see is people being willing to admit they are qh. One h/jtrainer I know that plays in both worlds won’t admit that hers are qh. And if someone wants to by them she said she’ll tear up the papers as they are worth more on the hunter circuit than qh and more as an unknown breed than qh because of the stereotype
The English Special Events tagged on to HJ shows may change that stereotype.
This is sad. I don’t doubt you, but it’s sad. I’m proud of the fact that my horse is AQHA. That’s the first thing I say when anyone compliments my horse: “She’s a registered Appendix.” I think of it as PR for Quarter horses.
I always tell them that mine are qh. And only one is appendix. Others are regular registry
