A violent storm with high winds, ripped through parts of southern New Jersey on Tuesday causing exhibitors at the Dream Park in Logan Township for the AQHA Region Five Championship Show to take cover as they prepped for the show.

“We had heard that a storm was brewing and may hit between 3 and 7 p.m.,” says Flossie Ale, director of the Dream Park. “We announced that a storm may be approaching and to put awnings up on campers and put everything away in the aisleways in the barn.”

The storm lasted approx. 20 to 30 minutes with wind gusts of 85-mile-an-hour.  Some of the stall curtains were torn away from the show barns and trash was scattered everywhere.

“Our crew came back in and cleaned all the trash that was scattered and corrected the problem with the stall curtains and we were back to normal within two hours,” Ale explains. “We had damage on the back of the property where we have our boarding barn and had no injuries to the exhibitors or the horses.  Our covered arena does have some damage but can be used without any hitches.”

The Region Five Show started on time on Wednesday and ran right on schedule with judge Bonnie Miller starting evaluations with Amateur Showmanship. Horses and exhibitors traveled from as far away as Maine and North Carolina to compete and to qualify for the AQHA Level 1 Championships.

“Entries for the one day Region 5 show topped 300,” Ale says. “It was very successful. We gave out prizes for first through 10th place and everyone had a great time.”

Barbara Ambrose attended the show with her husband, Al, who is the official photographer.

“No one was hurt, thank God,” says Ambrose. “Some of the bleachers outside flipped over and the wind opened up the seam on the roof the entire length of someone’s motorhome. But yesterday (Wednesday) was a beautiful day and the show was great.”

According to Charlie Hemphill, AQHA director of shows and new events, the goal of the regional championships is to offer members another opportunity to gain experience in the show ring with their American Quarter Horses.

“This also gives our members a chance to network and ride with other talented riders across their regions,” he says. “Additionally, placing in the top 10 as a Level 1 exhibitor in a regional championship level 1 class qualifies the rider and horse for the 2015 AQHA Level 1 championships.”

Regions Two and Six will also hold 2015 Merial AQHA Regional Championship shows. Exhibitors from every region are invited to attend a regional championship show, but an exhibitor may only compete at one regional championship per year. Visit www.aqha.com/regionalchampionships for more information on each show.

Debbie Kuffer

Debbie Kuffer, traveled from Quakertown, Pennsylvania, to show her 2007 sorrel gelding, Only An Invitation, in Level 1 (Novice) Amateur Western Pleasure. She placed eighth.”

“After a 15 year break from showing, I set my sights on attending this show to nationally qualify for the AQHA Level 1 (Novice) Championship Show-East,” she says. “I worked really hard, was able to fulfill my goal and look forward to showing in Lexington, Virginia in October.”

Competition continues today through Sunday at the Dream Park as the New Jersey Quarter Horse Association Youth Association presents its annual Youth Show featuring a full slate of AQHA classes. Judges for the event are: Tracy Willis, Patrick Keyer, Tanya Green and Michelle Tidwell.

Click here for a prize list for the show

Click here for candids from the Region 5 show courtesy of Al Ambrose

Click here for results from the first day of the show