AMARILLO, TX—DECEMBER 17, 2018—The American Quarter Horse Association released the 2019 Bank of America Regional Challenge schedule late last week. In 2019 the program returns to its full regional schedule.

In 2018, the Challenge program had an abbreviated schedule allowing for a rebalancing of the program’s financials. A full schedule in 2019, offers domestic and international regional races and continues its mission to support and foster racing for American Quarter Horses of all ages.

The regional program will offer 10 races per division, with the normal exception of the Distance division. The Challenge Bonus and Maiden races will not be conducted in 2019.

"We appreciate the horsemen who have continued to support the Bank of America Racing Challenge," said AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber. "We are dedicated to continuing to provide great racing opportunities for your horses for many years to come. We are looking forward to great racing all year, and a tremendous year-end party in New Mexico."

As always, the Bank of America Challenge regional races will culminate in the Bank of America Challenge Championships. In 2019, The Downs at Albuquerque, New Mexico, will host the championship event for the first time. It is scheduled for October 26.

"The Downs at Albuquerque is really excited about this Challenge," said Paul Blanchard, the track’s chairman of the board. "We are going to make it a full-day event at The Downs, starting in the morning. We will have a lot of events to bring out the public and carry it through night racing, and we’ve added some decent money to this. So we’re excited about this, and we want owners and trainers to know they will be well taken care of at The Downs."

Nominations for regional races will begin January 15th for scheduled races at the Hipodromo in in Mexico City and continue through August 1st of 2019 for regional races at Lone Star Park.

CLICK HERE to download the 2019 Regional Challenge Schedule.