Carli Kerns wins high-point youth title at East American Quarter Horse Association Championships

Carli Kerns earned the Rookie High-Point Youth title at the East AQHA Level 1 Championships in Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 7. Photo courtesy of American Quarter Horse Association.

Carli Kerns of Manchester, Michigan, earned the Rookie High-Point Youth 13 & Under title at the East AQHA Level 1 Championships in Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 7. Kerns showed her American Quarter Horse, Zippin Past The Best, a 2012 chestnut gelding. Zippin Past The Best, sired by Its A Zippo Good Bar and out of Ima Barhoppinmomma, was bred by Patty Roberts of Chatsworth, Georgia. As Rookie High-Point winner, Carli received a trophy and a Noble Outfitters backpack.

The American Quarter Horse Association’s Level 1 Championships are the pinnacle event for American Quarter Horse Level 1 and Rookie exhibitors who competed in each of the classes representing halter, English and western disciplines. Rookie and Level 1 are the two levels of AQHA competition designed for beginner to minimally accomplished competitors, respectively. The Level 1 Championships were designed to celebrate the accomplishments of these riders and their horses in an environment that provides education and fun competition. More than 1,800 entries competed for 83 champion titles at the 2017 East AQHA Level 1 Championships May 2-7 at the Governor James B. Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.