AQHA World Championship Show Drawing Near

Exhibitors ready for competition, spectators for great entertainment

Amarillo, Texas - October 31, 2003 - The 2003 American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show gets ready to celebrate 30 years of equestrian competition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, November 8-22.

This year's show features 3,551 entries from 47 states and 11 countries. Total purse is nearly $2.3 million with an economic impact on Oklahoma City of more than $20 million. The largest payout is the 2-year-old western pleasure class with a purse of $65,000, followed by junior cutting at $62,000.

In addition to the bevy of awards sponsored by AQHA Corporate Partners, exhibitors placing third in each of the 86 classes will receive a bronze trophy in addition to the other great awards. All World Show champions, reserve champions and finalists (through 15th place) also will receive a specially designed logoed jacket courtesy of Cripple Creek Outerwear.

Several corporate partners have joined together to present special evening performances which include - Wrangler Night, November 20 with the presentation of Team Wrangler and gifts to those spectators wearing Wrangler products; Ford Night, November 21 which features a drawing for a 2004 F-150 Supercab 4x2 XLT to one lucky audience member; Sooner Trailer and Nutrena Night, November 22 concludes the show with a drawing for a new Sooner Trailer full of Nutrena feed. Additionally, Michelin will give away a set of four passenger car or light truck tires to someone present in the coliseum during the evening finals performances on November 19-22.

Anniversaries
Although this is the 30th year for the AQHA World Show, there are other anniversaries to be celebrated at this year's event. The coveted All-Around Amateur Award celebrates its 20th anniversary of recognizing an outstanding duo in amateur competition with 45 vying for the honor. This year commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Superhorse Award which honors the most versatile horse in open
competition. There are 43 contenders this year. Both awards are sponsored by Sooner Trailer which presents a new three-horse trailer to each winner.

The AQHA World Championship Collegiate Judging Contest also celebrates it 25th contest to be held during the show. The top senior and junior universities and colleges receive $2,000 scholarships. Grants of $1,250 go to the reserve team in each division, and $750 is awarded to the third-place teams.

Other Activities
Supreme Champion Showcase
Meet one of only two living American Quarter Horses who've earned the coveted AQHA Supreme Champion Award. Lucks Easyfanta Boy, a grandson of American Quarter Horse legend Easy Jet, earned the prestigious award in 1997 which requires earning points in halter and performance classes along with two or more racing speed index ratings of 90 or higher. The former racehorse who competed in roping, reining and working cow horse is one of 46 American Quarter Horses to attain the honor since it was first awarded in 1967. No horses have earned the distinction since 1997.

Lucks Easyfanta Boy will parade during the evening finals performance on Wednesday, November 12 during a special Versatility Showcase.

Author Dr. Marty Becker to sign Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul

Dr. Marty Becker, America's best-loved family doctor for pets and co-author of Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul, will be available to sign his latest book at the AQHA booth in the Trade Show on Wednesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 20.

Dr. Becker's weekly column, "The Bond, " appears in 350 newspapers, and he has co-authored such best sellers as Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's' Soul and Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul. He also was featured in the September/October issue of America's Horse magazine and will be a part of "America's Horse" television's special show featuring celebrity American Quarter Horse owners on November 9 on the Outdoor Life Network. Voted the 2002 Veterinarian of the Year by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Becker and his family own five American Quarter Horses.

Internet Coverage
In-depth coverage of the AQHA World Show will again be featured on AQHA's Web site, aqha.com, with The American Quarter Horse Journal providing minute-by-minute results of the show including interviews with winners, behind-the-scenes stories and other information that you can get exclusively via AQHA's Web site. The January issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal will feature complete coverage from this year's show.

The 30th AQHA World Championship Show is sponsored by Bayer, FedEx, Ford, John Deere, Justin Boots, Markel Insurance, MBNA AmericaR, MD Barns, Montana Silversmiths, Nutrena, Professional's Choice, Sooner Trailer, State Line Tack, Tex Tan, Wrangler, State Fair of Oklahoma, The American Quarter Horse Journal and the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

AQHA World Championship event sponsors are Cripple Creek Outerwear, Michelin, Oster, Professional Auction Services, Inc. and Kiser Arena Specialists.

For a complete schedule of activities of the 2003 AQHA World Championship Show, log on to www.aqha.com or contact AQHA at (806) 376-4811.