When you combine great weather, large classes and fierce competition you get the 2014 Texas Amateur Show being held April 23-27. The show is held at the Heart O’ Texas Fair Complex in Waco, Texas. The judges for the week include Gretchen Mathis, Jennifer Lynn Thompson, John Dean, Suzy Jeane, Tom McBeath and Tom Robertson.

Any youth trying to make the April 30, 2014 deadline to nationally qualify for the 2014 AQHYA World Show the Texas Amateur Show is definitely the place to be to get those last minute points. One of the largest western pleasure classes at the show was the Green Western Pleasure with two splits and a final. With four point horsemanship classes, four point pleasure classes, five point trail and four point english classes this is anyone’s dream show to come to.
The Texas Amateur Quarter Horse Association and the Big Country Quarter Horse Association have worked together to create one of the best horse shows in Texas.

“Hands down the Texas Amateur Show is by far the most exhibitor friendly show I have been to this year,” Myles McLean says.

The show staff goes above and beyond to make sure the exhibitors time at the Texas Amateur Show is a memorable time. Friday night Circle J Ranch sponsored an Exhibitor Dinner of mexican food. The dinner was a great way for exhibitors to relax after a busy day of showing. When you finished dinner they offered a complimentary boot shine for all exhibitors.

 
The stands were full at 8am Friday morning for the 3-Year-Oold Open Futurity. With 12 amazing riders, paired with some of the best 3-year-olds in the country, they definitely didn’t make it easy on the judges to pick a winner.

 
Champion : Andy Cochran and Suddenly Extreme owned by Nick Weiss
Reserve Champion: Rusty Green and Rock Country Kid owned by Sharnai Thompson
Third: Angie Rigdon-Cannizzaro and Wearin Only Moonlite owned by Lauren Love
Fourth: Joetta Bell and Lope Out The Best owned by Joetta Bell

 
Another exciting class to watch was the trail derby. Tim the trail man Kimura designed the course. Eighteen riders were entered and rode for paycheck of $1,000.00. In the first round each rider was scored and the top 15 riders advanced to the second round. In the second round the poles were raised and the pattern was very challenging, but riding to the Champion spot and a paycheck of $1,000.00 was Anthony Montes riding Blazeless.

Twelve competitors showed in the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure Sunday in Waco. It was Sharnai Thompson aboard Rock County Kid who rode out of the arena as the Champion. The Reserve Champion in the class was Courtney Chown showing Flashy Looking Touch.

The show goes on till Sunday so if your in the Waco area definitely stop by the Heart O’ Texas Fair Complex and if you can’t  then definitely mark your calendars for the 2015 Texas Amateur Show you won’t want to miss it.

Check out candids from the show here