This 2010 Regional Championship is off and running to a great start!

The 2010 Region Three Championship is off to a great competition start - it's a great place to try AQHA shows and new classes. (bar H Photography)

By Jennifer Horton for The American Quarter Horse Journal

Stormy winds and rain in the early afternoon gave way to hot, humid July weather on the opening day of the Region Three Championship, in St. Paul, Minnesota. By evening, the breeze had turned cool and much more comfortable as exhibitors had time to relax after a day of showing or preparing for the next day’s events.

Wednesday, July 14, opened with trail and western riding classes. We saw some repeat champions and new champions ride out of the arena with shiny new buckles and smiles.

Region Three once again is holding the popular AQHA first-time exhibitor classes for adults and youth. New this year was the addition of green classes in the AQHA-approved classes. Also popular are the small-fry youth 9 & under walk-trot classes for showmanship, trail, horsemanship, equitation, hunter under saddle and western pleasure.

The July heat and humidity made the ice cream social a hit. The fifth and sixth districts of the Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association sponsored the sweet treats.

Region Three has clinics galore:

• AQHA Professional Horseman and judge Lance Treptow presented a trail clinic to novice riders on Tuesday, July 13, using the course set for the show, offering help to riders that would help them navigate the course as best they could.
• AQHA Professional Horsewoman Rhonda Spratto worked with Kat Zelnio to present a hunter under saddle clinic on Wednesday, July 14, for riders looking to improve their show-ring presence.
• AQHA Professional Horsewoman and judge Stephanie Lynn returned to do a clinic on hunt seat equitation, helping riders prepare for the Thursday classes.

Thursday’s classes begin with over fences, hunter under saddle and hunt seat equitation. Also on the schedule for Thursday was an evening of racing, hosted by the Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association at Canterbury Park.

Stay tuned for all the Region Three online coverage, including daily slide shows.

Check out the slide show below, and click on each photo to see the caption. All photos are by bar H Photography.

There are 11 Regional Championships in all, including one in Europe and one in British Columbia, put on by AQHA state, provincial or international affiliates. Region Three includes Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and Manitoba.

Look for a Regional Championship near you at www.aqha.com.

The American Quarter Horse Journal is your one-stop source for everything about the Quarter Horse. Don’t miss a single issue.