In response to the growing popularity of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Ranch Pleasure classes, the Cactus Reining Classic announced the addition of both the AQHA Amateur Ranch Pleasure and AQHA Youth Ranch Pleasure classes to the 2014 schedule at the upcoming event held at WestWorld of Scottsdale March 5-9.
The AQHA Amateur Ranch Pleasure class will be held Wednesday, March 5, and the AQHA Youth Ranch Pleasure will be held Friday, March 7. Both classes will be held in Arena 6. A favorite of exhibitors and spectators alike, the class is judged on how well horses and riders perform in a simulated ranch environment.
“In Ranch Pleasure, judges look for a perfect, handy horse with manners, versatility and movement,” said AQHA Senior Director of Judges Alex Ross. “There’s a real emphasis on forward movement and ground-covering gaits, while rules of cadence still apply.”
“I was astonished and excited at the popularity of this new AQHA division since the debut in 2013, and am so excited about the future of these classes as an opportunity for reiners to continue to learn horsemanship skills while having fun. I love that horses from all disciplines are competing against each other, and that everyone has the chance to be competitive. Being able to offer these classes at Cactus Reining Classic this year is icing on the cake,” said horse show producer Amanda Brumley, of Brumley Management Group.
Established in 2005, the Cactus Reining Classic is the first event in a three show “Triple Crown” series that includes the Reining By The Bay and High Roller Reining Classic. All of the competitions are recognized by the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) among its top-ranked events worldwide.
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