2026 AQHA West Level 1 Championships, High-Points and End-of-Show Awards
Below are the all-around and high-point honors awarded at the end of the 2026 Level 1 West Championships, courtesy of AQHA:
Abigail Merschman and Money Gate – photo by Shane Rux Photography.
The 2026 AQHA West Level 1 Championships concluded May 17, following seven days of competition at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas that saw top Level 1 exhibitors from across the country compete for championship honors. Below are the all-around and high-point honors awarded at the end of the show. Congratulations to everyone who competed at this year’s show!
Level 1 Amateur All-Around
Abigail Merschman and Money Gate, 2018 sorrel gelding (The Lopin Machine-RL Essence by A Sudden Impulse).
Level 1 Select All-Around
Ashley S. Mossman and Touch N Go Show, 2015 bay gelding (A Touch Of Sudden-Divalicous by Ziprageous).
Level 1 Youth 13-&-Under All-Around
Leah Nim and Only One More Drink, 2018 chestnut gelding (The Best Martini-Willys Red Chip by Willy Be Invited).
Level 1 Youth 14-18 All-Around
Bailey Saenz and If Only In My Dreams, 2017 bay roan gelding (Righteous Invitation-MS Goodtime Vanna by Goodtime Sonny Dee).
Rookie Amateur High-Point
Patricia Schuster and Zipped By Blue, 2020 sorrel gelding (Blue Skies Only-Too Hot To Be Sleepy by Too Sleepy To Zip).
Rookie Youth High-Point
Leah Nim and Only One More Drink, 2018 chestnut gelding (The Best Martini-Willys Red Chip by Willy Be Invited).
Level 1 Amateur Walk Trot High-Point
Chelsea Bagby and Aintikindamightty, 2021 grullo gelding (Mightty Mouse-PS Good Bars Chex by PS Good Bars Kat).
Level 1 Youth Walk-Trot High-Point
Kenzie Honea and Overdue To Be Invitd, 2011 bay gelding (Invitation Only-She Due Good by Zippos Mr Good Bar).
Small-Fry High-Point
Kennedy Grace Wright and KM Three Bars Down, 2015 chestnut gelding (RL Best Of Sudden-Winnie Three Bars by Zippos Mr Good Bar).
Youth Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse
Sophia Lynn Ciancio and Disturbing The Peace
2019 bay gelding (No Doubt Im Lazy-Shes A Lopin Machine by A Good Machine)
Breeder: Kenneth or Laina Banks, Schulenburg, Texas
Owner: Sophia Lynn Ciancio, Hesperia, California
Amateur Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Horse
Marci Carlson and Ill Be A Dual Cat
2016 bay gelding (OSR Catty Dual Pep-Ill Be Sweetest by Ill Be Smart)
Breeder: Running U Livestock, Erda, Utah
Owner: Marci Carlson, Tacoma, Washington
NSBA Level 1 Amateur All-Around
Michelle Hustad and Couldnt B Any Lazyer, 2017 black mare (Lazy Loper-Who Could Be Certain by Certain Potential).
NSBA Level 1 Select All-Around
Peggy Beeghly and That Sudden Smile, 2012 bay gelding (RL Best Of Sudden-The Smile Maker by CFS Rocky Rode).
NSBA Level 1 Youth 13-&-Under All-Around
Harper Rose Black and Lazy Intentions, 2012 bay gelding (Lazy Loper-Intendin To Pleasure by Investment Asset).
NSBA Level 1 Youth 14-18 All-Around
Bailey Saenz and If Only In My Dreams, 2017 bay roan gelding (Righteous Invitation-MS Goodtime Vanna by Goodtime Sonny Dee).
NSBA Rookie Amateur High-Point
Patricia Schuster and Zipped By Blue, 2020 sorrel gelding (Blue Skies Only-Too Hot To Be Sleepy by Too Sleepy To Zip).
NSBA Rookie Youth High-Point
Haddie Elizabeth Hovik and A Dry Martini, 2019 sorrel gelding (The Best Martini-Zip Skip And Strut by Don’t Skip Zip).
NSBA Level 1 Amateur Walk Trot High Point
Leane K Capps and Huntin An Invitation, 2012 sorrel gelding (Huntin For Chocolate-Only When Invited by Invitation Only).
NSBA Level 1 Youth Walk-Trot High-Point
Charley Jean Fields and I Am Ur Huckleberry, 2015 bay gelding (Lazy Loper-Chexme Out Willy Gud by Winnies Willy).
NSBA Small-ry High-Point
Kennedy Grace Wright and KM Three Bars Down, 2015 chestnut gelding (RL Best Of Sudden-Winnie Three Bars by Zippos Mr Good Bar).
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