Due to the large number of qualifiers, AQHA also anticipates a large number of competitors at each event location and strongly encourages exhibitors to enter as early as possible.

Entry forms are being mailed to qualifiers to the inaugural AQHA Novice championship shows scheduled for October 5-7 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Las Vegas. Due to the large number of qualifiers, AQHA also anticipates a large number of competitors at each event location and strongly encourages exhibitors to enter as early as possible.

Entries in the SmartPak West AQHA Novice Championship Show are due to show manager Jan Bruner no later than August 31. Entries in the Nutrena East AQHA Novice Championship Show are due to show manager Keri Croft no later than August 31. And although they may enter as many classes as they are Novice eligible for when they submit their entries, exhibitors cannot add more classes at the Novice championships.

However, exhibitors will be able to scratch classes at the Novice championships. Stalls at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro for the Nutrena East Novice Championship will be limited. To reserve a stall, competitors must complete their entry form and submit payment for their Novice Championship Show entry to their respective show manager. Stalls for the Novice championships are included in the flat entry fee of $275. For that price, competitors will be able to enter as many classes as they would like, plus receive one stall per horse entered in the event. The flat fee covers the office and drug-testing fee, as well. Tack stalls may be purchased for $100, and competitors will also need to pay for shavings.

“Only 625 stalls are available at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, so exhibitors are strongly encouraged to reserve stalls as soon as possible,” said Patti Carter-Pratt, AQHA executive director of shows. “The South Point Hotel & Casino facility offers 1,200 stalls,” Carter-Pratt added, “but exhibitors at the SmartPak West Novice Championship are also encouraged to reserve stalls as soon as possible – we expect to exceed our initial predictions for event size.”

Accommodating competitors is a foremost concern to AQHA; the Association will do its best to accommodate all entries at both Novice championship shows. For competitors unable to secure a stall at their Novice championship, upon the competitor’s request, the show manager of that event will provide a list of alternative facilities with available stalls.

Jan Bruner, the SmartPak West Novice Championship show manager, may be reached at brunergroup@gmail.com, and Keri Croft, the Nutrena East Novice Championship show manager, may be reached at dkcroft4@frontier.com.

Competitors will be able to verify that their entries were received online at www.aqha.com/novicechampionships. Additionally, qualifiers will find a list of host hotels for the event in their qualifier packet and online at www.aqha.com/novicechampionships.

Contact information for Jan Bruner, SmartPak West Novice Championship show manager:

Jan Bruner
Bruner Group Equine Events
4207 E. Andrea Dr.
Cave Creek, AZ 85331

480-419-6318 (office)
602-370-6979 (mobile)
brunergroup@gmail.com

Contact information for Keri Croft, Nutrena East Novice Championship show manager:

Keri Croft
PO Box 785
Newberg, OR 97132-0785
(503) 537-9845 (office)
(503) 701-3305 (mobile)
dkcroft4@frontier.com

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