AMARILLO, Texas -- The American Quarter Horse Association has introduced a new concept of showing American Quarter Horses that will entice working ranch horses everywhere.

It's called the Versatility Ranch Horse Competition and beginning in January of 2002 it will be an AQHA-approved event where competing horses will be eligible to earn AQHA points and Incentive Fund money.

The Versatility Ranch Horse Competition will be multi-faceted -each entry in the competition MUST compete in all five of the featured classes. The competition will be judged according to performance in the class and number of entries. AQHA points will be awarded in the Versatility Ranch Competition according to AQHA's existing point schedule.

The focus will be on the all-around horse and being well dressed isn't a requirement. In fact, silver on bridles and saddles is discouraged as is hoof polish and braided manes.

"I believe this is one of the greatest events to hit the American Quarter Horse show industry in a long time," said Bill Brewer AQHA Executive Vice President. "I am particularly pleased with the way it emphasizes the very foundation on which the American Quarter Horse really made his mark - helping cowboys work on the many ranches and farms across North America. I will truly look forward to the first competition in 2002."

Versatility Ranch Horse Competition Requirements: Each exhibitor in the Versatility Ranch Horse Competition is required to compete in the five areas of competition.

The five competition areas are:
· Ranch Riding -- This event shows the horse's ability to move at a working speed with a rider. Horses will be shown at three gaits--walk, trot and lope -- in each direction of the arena with specific requests of movements and transitions by the judge.
· Ranch Trail -- This event contains a course with a minimum of six obstacles and is designed to show a horse's ability and willingness to perform several tasks that might be asked of him during the course of a normal days ranch work. Some obstacles examples include: opening and passing through a gate; dragging a log; crossing a bridge or other obstacle and loading/unloading into a trailer.
· Ranch Cutting -- A single cow is cut from the herd and the horse must demonstrate its ability to work the cow. When satisfied that the horse has proven its cutting ability, the horse and rider must pen the cow at the far end of the arena.
· Working Ranch Horse - This event combines the reining ability and cow sense of the horse and will be judged on horse's ability, cow sense and smoothness. Each contestant will perform individually. First with the reining patter and then releasing one cow into the arena.
· Ranch Conformation -- The event will be based on balance, structural correctness, breed and sex characteristics, and degree of muscling with balance being the most important. The ranch conformation will be set up in ranch and youth divisions. The Ranch division will be allowed to exhibit stallions, mares and geldings. The youth division will feature mares and geldings.

There are youth and open divisions in the Versatility Ranch Horse Competition.

For more information on the Versatility Ranch Horse Class,contact AQHA at (806) 376-4811 or visit AQHA's Web site for a detailed explanation of each event.