YOUR AD HERE »

2011 AQHA Region 2 Championship Show results

Larry Larson

The AQHA Region 2 Championship is now a solid event that exhibitors of the American Quarter Horse schedule into their calendars each September as a major event to attend. Combined for the first time in 2011 with two AQHA-approved shows, the Region 2 has grown to one of the top Regional Championships in the nation – entry numbers tallied close to a phenomenal 1,700 over the four-day event.

Held in Rapid City, SD on Sept. 22-25 at the Central States Fairgrounds, the classes utilized both the Bray Arena and the James Kjerstad Event Center. The show featured 132 regional classes that offered the AQHA-approved classes running concurrently with the regular schedule. Designated Region 2 judges for 2011 were Leo Fourre from Minnesota and Gayle Lampinen, Michigan. Jane Bagley, Texas, and Michael Damianos from California were the judges placing the approved shows with Gene Carr from South Dakota overseeing the speed event judging for both entities.

The show began on Thursday – dedicated to the cattle classes with the speed events being held in the outdoor Bray Arena. Western Riding classes were also held in Bray Arena and followed the Team Wrangler Clinic presented by clinician Ryan Cottingim from Ohio. Large reining classes basically filled the entire day in the indoor arena on Friday with the large trail classes concluding close to midnight. Saturday offered the showmanship, halter and English classes, as well as a late morning youth judging contest. The Region 2 concluded on Sunday with the western classes and culminated with the coveted All-Around Award presentations in the various divisions.



The show encompasses the AQHA State Affiliates of Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota along with the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada. Co-Chairmen for the 2011 Regional 2 Championship were Todd Iszler, Bismarck, ND, and Jo Waldner from Brookings, SD. Mary Roes from the Nebraska Affiliate was the Secretary/Treasurer and Show Management was provided for the first time this year by White Horse Management, Connie Henrichs, Albion, NE.

After hard fought battles were waged throughout the weekend, most divisions came down to the final class placings. The All-Around winners were announced at the completion of the show on Sunday afternoon with saddles being presented in the main arena. Petite Finesse, sired by Petite Lord and owned by Erica Furnish, Spearfish, SD, captured the Open All-Around in 2011 and they were also the Reserve All-Around in the Youth 14-18 Division. Reserve Open All-Around was Im Hot N Naughty, sired by Hot Diggity Joe and shown by Sunni Hecht, Lewistown, MT. They were also the Youth 14-18 All-Around Saddle winner for 2011.



Amateur All-Around was Jennifer Tweet, Wentworth, SD, showing Macs Sweet Illusion, sired by Macs Good N Plenty. Karen Linnell, Summerberry, Saskatchewan, was named the Reserve Amateur All-Around on her gelding BMQ Times A Ticking. The Novice Amateur All-Around and Reserve were both from Nebraska – Brenda Brinker, Juniata, and Two Bee Magic captured the All-Around Saddle with Shelby Timperley from Norfolk being named the 2011 Reserve. Kimberly Larson, Spearfish, SD, showed her gelding Selected By Magic, sired by Selection So Simple, to the Select Amateur All-Around with Becky Byrum, also from Spearfish, taking the Reserve Championship honors on Diegos Dimension.

Weapons, sired by KCS Lethal Weapon To and shown by Codi Ann Uecker from Lewistown, MT, was the 2011 R2C Youth All-Around saddle winner in the 13 & Under division. Sentel Johnson, Belle Fourche, SD, was the Reserve All-Around in that same division on her gelding Leaguers Lopin Delux. Novice Youth Division All-Around Saddle Winner for 2011 was Kate McCoy from Sioux Falls, SD, on her gelding Sir Magic Man, sired by Sir Two Eyed. Reserve in that division was Lexie Anderson, Lewistown, MT on Principely An Asset. The show also offers a Small Fry division and Avany Long from Oacoma, SD, and her seasoned gelding RC Driftin N Dreamin, sired by Cowladys Drifter, were the eventual high point winners. Cassandra Townsend, Andover, SD, showed Arties Jazzin to the Small Fry Reserve High Point.

The committee for the Region 2 Championship has announced dates for the 2012 show. It will once again be held in Rapid City, SD on Sept. 20-23.

Editor’s note: For complete results from the 2011 AQHA Region 2 Championship Show, visit the Region 2 web site http://www.aqharegion2.com.

For photos from the 2011 AQHA Region 2 Championship Show, contact Larry Larson Photography, 605-393-0900 or visit http://www.larrylarsonphotography.com.