California Riding Magazine • March, 2010

PCHA Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic
Qualifying classes underway
for 2010 finals.

The Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association has started approving qualifying classes for the 2010 Jack and Linda Baker Reining Classic Finals. This will be the 20th year of this classic event.

Horse and rider combinations must be registered with the PCHA to be eligible for points. Ten points will qualify the horse and rider combination for the Finals to be held August 20-21 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

The prizes set this event apart. Last year over $15,000 worth of prizes were handed out. In addition, every finalist received a beautiful personalized commemorative plate with his or her name and that of their horse. Finalists, trainers and sponsors received monogrammed towels and hoof picks denoting them as a participant in the Baker Reining Classic.

Prizes included three Continental Saddlery custom trophy saddles, sterling silver belt buckles to tenth place, headstalls, silver stirrups, silver spurs, reins, splint boots, Professional’s Choice skid boots, gift certificates, Grand Meadows nutritional products, a Chaskit Custom Horse Blanket and monogrammed jackets. Six perpetual trophies are also awarded.

Qualifying classes are available at all PCHA approved shows. Other shows, such as breed shows or reining shows may also hold Baker qualifying classes after receiving approval from PCHA.

The PCHA Baker Reining Classic Finals is a two go-round event. The first round will be run Friday and the final round on Saturday. The PCHA Baker Reining Classic Finals also has a competition within a competition. There are two Divisional Rookie categories: 49 and under and Prime Time (50 and over). These riders must not have earned $500 in total National Reining Horse Association earnings at the beginning of the calendar year of the Baker Finals. These riders must also have never been Champion or Reserve Champion in any breed or National Horse Association. Saddles are awarded to
both Champions.

In order for a horse show to hold a Baker qualifying class, they must apply for registration with the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association. The horse show pays a small fee to PCHA and must send back the results within a certain period of time. The Baker qualifying class can be run concurrently with other reining classes.

A show may hold more than one qualifying class, but they must be judged by different judges.

Riders, horses and trainers of horse and rider combinations must be registered with PCHA in order for points to count. Applications are furnished to the horse shows so that riders can apply for membership and their points will count at that show.

This year is looking to be the biggest year yet for the Baker Reining Classic. Already over 25 horse and rider combinations have received points for the Finals. Qualifying classes are the largest classes at reining horse shows. This event continues to be a major reining event and is something the reining community looks forward to every year.

For more information contact the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association at 818-842-8194.