The tentative schedules are now available online for the 2014 Nutrena East and SmartPak West American Quarter Horse Association Level 1 (Novice) Championships. 

The Nutrena East Level 1 Championship in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is tentatively slated for September 30 – October 5. The SmartPak West Level 1 Championship in Las Vegas is tentatively scheduled for September 30 – October 5. 

View the Nutrena East tentative schedule, or view the SmartPak West tentative schedule. 

This year, core Rookie classes (showmanship, horsemanship, hunt seat equitation, western pleasure, hunter under saddle and trail) have been added to the schedules. The classes, designed for beginning competitors, will be offered in addition to the current line-up of Level 1 (formerly Novice) classes. 

To be eligible for a Rookie-level class, the horse and exhibitor independently must have earned 10 or fewer lifetime points in that class in any division (open, amateur or youth). The eligibility is from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013. To verify Rookie eligibility, visitwww.aqha.com/leveling and use the online level verification system.

Ranch horse pleasure will also debut at the 2014 Nutrena East and SmartPak West Level 1 Championships. 

As a reminder, if a horse and rider competed in reining, performance halter or ranch horse pleasure at the 2014 Zoetis AQHA Cattle Novice Championships, the horse and rider will not be able to compete in those classes at either 2014 SmartPak West or Nutrena East AQHA Level 1 Championships.

The national qualifying period is July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014, for the 2014 Nutrena East and SmartPak West Level 1 Championships. Competitors may qualify through either national methods, state/provincial methods or place in the top 10 at a Merial AQHA Regional Championship in a Level 1 class. Qualifiers may choose which of the two Level 1 Championships to attend. Visit www.aqha.com/novicechampionships to view the Level 1 qualifying methods.

Rookie and Level 1 are the two levels of AQHA competition designed for beginner to minimally accomplished competitors, respectively. The Level 1 Championships were designed to celebrate the accomplishments of these riders and their horses in an environment that provides education and fun competition. 

To learn more about AQHA’s show levels or to determine the levels you are eligible for, simply use the online level verification system at www.aqha.com/leveling. 

As a proud sponsor of the Nutrena AQHA East Level 1 (Novice) Championship, 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.  

A proud sponsor of the SmartPak West AQHA Level 1 (Novice) Championship, SmartPak is the official supplement feeding system and joint supplement supplier of AQHA. When you pack for the trail, show or race, make sure you include the patented SmartPak supplement feeding system. AQHA members can save 5 percent on all purchases at SmartPak. Learn more about SmartPak’s products and how to save today!

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 visitwww.aqha.com/news.