American quarter horses on show at Egmont A&P showgrounds

Senior Horse Trail competitors waiting to be placed by AQHA judge, Mr Brent Maxwell.

The American Quarter Horse Association of New Zealand's 39th annual national show will be held at the Egmont A&P showgrounds in Hawera from today through to Saturday, February 24.

This event is one of the final shows of the season and showcases the versatility of the Quarter Horse breed, says show manager Jan Robinson.

Competitors come from all over New Zealand to compete against their peers in many different disciplines with an American judge doing the honours.

Senior Youth Pleasure getting their placings.

The judge this year is Michael Ochetto from Belcher, Louisiana, an accomplished judge who has judged on four continents and in 12 countries prior to coming to New Zealand.

Competitors and their horses will compete in events such as showmanship at halter, trail, western pleasure, ranch riding, reining, western horsemanship, hunter under saddle and halter — judged on the conformation of the horse — over the course of the four days.

Within these events there are different age and experience divisions including junior youth (children 13 years and under), senior youth (14-18 years), amateur and open.

Winners of each class receive a coveted golden horse trophy, says Jan.

Starting today, the programme begins with traditional dressage and park hack-style classes before transitioning into the western events.

On Friday afternoon, the horses are showcased in the feature events including western pleasure, reining, ranch riding and trail.

There will also be a freestyle reining event later on Friday afternoon which adds light entertainment to the show.

The freestyle reining gives competitors an opportunity to show creative flair with a piece of music and costume that they ride a reining pattern to.

The pattern has to include certain manoeuvres but competitors pick how they encompass those in their run.

Following that there will be a Breast Cancer Pink Timed Trail, a fun event and all money raised from entries to that event will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Max Pennington Autocity are the AQHA-NZ Platinum Sponsor and will have some of their Jeeps on display at the show.

Jan says she and the team are grateful to sponsors who help with making this show a success. Spectators are welcome at any time., The show starts at 8am and finishes after the last class.