The entry forms for all three 2016 American Quarter Horse Association Level 1 Championships can now be found online. Unlike past years, the entry forms will not be sent individually and instead can be accessed by visiting www.aqha.com/level1championships. Exhibitors should take note that all entry forms must be sent in prior to the championship show they are attending, and no entries will be taken at the shows.

The entry deadline for both the West and Central championships is March 15. Entries for the Nutrena East championship are due April 1.

Reservations are now available for hotel rooms at all three events. Those attending are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as possible. AQHA has blocked off rooms at the host hotels. When booking your rooms, advise the hotel to reserve your room within that block. Also available at the Central and Nutrena East championships, RV hook-ups are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional information on lodging can be found at www.aqha.com/level1championships.

The dates for the 2016 Level 1 Championships are:

• April 13-17: 2016 AQHA Central Level 1 Championships,
• State Fair Park, Oklahoma City.
• April 20-24: 2016 AQHA West Level 1 Championships, South Point Equestrian & Events Center, Las Vegas
• May 4-8: 2016 Nutrena East AQHA Level 1 Championships, Gov. James B. Hunt Horse Complex, Raleigh, North Carolina.

A horse/rider/class combination can compete in only one Level 1 championship per year.

Also new this year and for 2016 only, AQHA has changed the qualifying rules. To be eligible to enter the 2016 Level 1 Championship, an exhibitor must:

• Be Level 1 eligible in the class they wish to enter as of January 1, 2015.
• Be Rookie eligible in the class they wish to enter as of January 1, 2015.
• Be an AQHA member at the time of entry and at the time of the 2016 Level 1 Championships.

Additionally, if a competitor graduated out of Level 1 in the 2015 show season, he or she is still eligible and invited to enter the event.

Finally, if an exhibitor wins a Level 1 championship in 2015, the exhibitor cannot show in that same class at future Level 1 Championships, including the 2016 Level 1 Championships. However, the exhibitor can still show in that class at AQHA shows (excluding the Level 1 Championships) until the exhibitor meets the point level. The exhibitor can still show at the Level 1 Championships in any other class(es) for which they are still Level 1-eligible. Learn more about AQHA Rule SHW245.3 in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.

To determine both your level and your horse’s level in a class, please use the online AQHA level verification system.

For more information on the 2016 AQHA Level 1 Championships, visit www.aqha.com/level1championships.

As a proud sponsor of the Nutrena East AQHA Level 1 Championships, Nutrena delivers optimum nutrition, exceptional health and world-class performance for your animals. Whether you keep animals around for fun, competition or work, you can trust Nutrena to provide the right nutritional solutions.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter, watch the AQHA Newscast and visit www.aqha.com/news.