The Executive Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has designated Regional Championship competitions throughout the United States for 2010.

Launched in 2005, and part of the Association’s effort to improve public education and awareness of the breed throughout the nation, Regional Championships also enhance competitive opportunities for horses and riders at all levels of competition.

New to the lineup in 2010 is the North Carolina State Championship Horse Show in Raleigh. The Saint Louis National Charity Horse Show will once again host the Region 5 Championship after serving as the designee in 2006 and 2007. Additionally, the Executive Committee is exploring the possibility of establishing a Mountain Region for 2010 with the championship event to be hosted by the Colorado Fall Classic Horse Show in Denver.

At this time, there is no designated Regional Championship in Region 6/7 due to an absence of eligible competitions. Further details will be forthcoming for exhibitors in this region.

Updates to the Regional Championship Guidelines include a new standard qualifying period of September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010 for all regions. Three-Gaited Park is now a required championship class. Youth Showmanship is no longer required, but ASHA encourages all Regional Championship competitions to consider including the class if offered at area local competitions.

For further information on the Regional Championship program, including complete qualifying requirements, click www.asha.net .

2010 ASHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS:

REGION 1 Southwest Regional Championship Arizona Saddlebred Futurity Scottsdale, Arizona, October 29-31

West Coast Regional Championship California Saddle Horse Futurity Pomona, California, September

REGION 2 Northwest Regional Championship NWSA Fall Classic & Futurity Salem, Oregon, September 29 – October 2

REGION 3/4 North Central Regional Championship Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival Madison, Wisconsin, September 15-19

REGION 5 Heart of America Regional Championship Saint Louis National Charity Horse Show Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, September 29 – October 2

REGION 6/7 South Central Regional Championship No eligible competitions

REGION 8 Bluegrass Regional Championship All American Horse Classic Indianapolis, Indiana, September 7-11

REGION 9 Atlantic Coast Regional Championship North Carolina State Championship Horse Show Raleigh, North Carolina, September 15-18

REGION 10 Southern Regional Championship Southeastern Charity Horse Show Conyers, Georgia, September 22-25

REGION 11 Eastern Regional Championship American Saddlebred Horse Association of Virginia (ASHAV) Lexington, Virginia, September 29 – October 2

REGION 12 New England Regional Championship Eastern States Exposition Horse Show West Springfield, Massachusetts, September 16-19