Horse Illustrated Magazine

As the popularity of western riding and the American Quarter Horse spreads, another country is adding a sanctioned show to its roster. Poland is set to host the Wild West Riders (WWR) Cup 2007, the first American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) approved event to take place there.

The show is scheduled June 2 – 3, 2007 at the Iwno Horse Stud near Poznan, and will include 27 AQHA classes, 16 halter and 11 performance. Open competition in reining, cutting and working cow horse will be among the highlights.

In addition to the AQHA events, there will also be a qualifier for the Polish Western and Rodeo League Championship, with reining, trail, western pleasure, superhorse, cutting, working cow horse, calf roping, barrel racing and pole bending classes.

The AQHA show will be judged by Brigit Bayer from Germany. The uncommon event is expected to attract people from neighboring countries, including the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria.

True to the western show scene, the WWR Cup will be a combination of sport, entertainment and sales exhibition. Attendees will experience music, line dance shows and games for children. Unusual, perhaps, for the European show scene, it’s sure to give some authentic western feel.