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National Academy Championship Finals
I’D LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY
The National Academy The National Academy Championship Finals Championship Finals
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This is it, the show that brings academy riders from all over America, and crowns the best as they ride in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The National Academy Championship Horse Show is a three-round competition held November 2-4 in website for a full list of prizes and awards. What else makes the National Academy Championship Horse Murfreesburo, Tennessee. Over the three-day show, riders must qualify in the first two rounds to make it to the final round. Sound difficult? It is, but it’s lots of fun, and an affordable way to get into the excitement of show ring competition.
The Academy Division has two uses: one as a training ground for new students interested in getting experience in the show ring, the other as a final destination for students who prefer to continue to show and compare their skills against other riders. Whether you are a new academy rider or you have been competing in academy shows for years, the National Academy Championship Horse Show is a great place to learn from the best.
The judges and the awards for the show are always first-rate, and 2012 is no exception. This year’s judges will be Sherry Brandl, Mark Bodnar and Cindy Mugnier. The top ten Finalists in the Jr. and Sr. Divisions will be presented with the highly coveted tri-colored Grand Championship ribbon, a custom made medallion, a neck ribbon, and a U.S. Savings Bond. The Sr. Equitation Final Winner will additionally receive a $1,000 Scholarship to William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. The Jr. Winner will receive a Jeffries Saddle, donated by Winners Circle Tack. Together the prize money, trophies and awards total over $12,500! See the Show so special? It is the only academy show in the country to present an annual Trainer of the Year award, given to the trainer with the most wins at the National Academy Horse Show that year. There is also an “Academy Horse of the Year” award. Each year, they select one horse to go into their Academy Hall of Fame. To enter your horse, download a form from their website and send it back, along with a picture of your horse. Don’t wait too long to make plans to attend the 2012 National Academy Championship Horse Show; the deadline for entries is October 12. For the show entry form, the “Academy Horse of the Year” entry form, and lots of other helpful information, visit the website at www. nationalacademychampionship.org. n

Top: Happy finalists. Above: Cash Lovell Stables Academy Nationals Team 2011. Photos: provided
by Nancy Norton, Executive Editor