AQHA’s Stewards Program
June 25, 2010
AQHA is committed to the health and welfare of the American Quarter Horse.
As AQHA continues its commitment to ensure that the health and welfare of the American Quarter Horse remains paramount, I am more than pleased with the debut of the AQHA Stewards program. Funding for the stewards program comes from an increase in show processing fees that became effective in 2010.
To help level the playing field for exhibitors and ensure the welfare of horses in competition, a portion of those funds have been designated for breed integrity initiatives like the stewards program.
Stewards are assigned to specific shows selected by AQHA with geography in mind to minimize travel costs. The most critical and urgent need for stewards is to monitor and patrol show grounds and warm-up areas at events to carry out AQHA’s pledge to humane training practices. The safety of participants, both human and equine, must not be compromised, nor should the fairness of competition. Additionally, stewards will also help show management, judges and exhibitors to help them increase their usefulness at various events.
Stewards are required to have a comprehensive knowledge of AQHA’s show rules and assist in answering questions in other areas, such as equipment, prohibited conduct, eligibility, safety, show management concerns and overall class operations. Stewards’ feedback on situations they encounter will be key to helping the program evolve.
Above all, stewards are asked to be ambassadors for the American Quarter Horse, AQHA and AQHA shows, so that as AQHA expands its show menu, horse owners will feel more comfortable participating in AQHA events.
Beginning in April, the 39 people who attended the inaugural comprehensive training program March 18 in Dallas began stewarding some of AQHA’s more than 3,200 annual shows and special events. To date, AQHA stewards have been present at more than 45 AQHA-approved show days of competition.
The program is making AQHA’s members aware of the concern the Association has for animal welfare, and we have heard many positive comments about the program. Many people say they think the program further illustrates the commitment of AQHA’s judges and Professional Horsemen to protect all animals from inhumane treatment.
While the program may not yet be perfect and may not resolve all problems, I hope you would agree it’s a step in the right direction and that progress is being made toward AQHA’s commitment to the welfare of the American Quarter Horse.
Don Treadway
AQHA Executive Vice President
Comments
7 Comments on “AQHA’s Stewards Program”
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June 27th, 2010 at 11:22 am
This is not a comment on the AQHAs Stewards Program which I applaud.
Rather this is about the apparent sad state of repair our halter horse show program has fallen into…..yesterday (Saturday) my wife, Susan and I traveled to Des Moines, Iowa from Minneapolis, MN to show at the IQHA show. Our son, Cody (a professional trainer) hauled 3 horses up from our home in Stephenville, Texas to meet us. We had high expectations of completing our qualifying on a 3 yr old gelding (Open & Amateur)and a yearling mare (Open & Amateur) plus Cody is hauling an Aged Gelding (Open) for the Senor Hi-Point.
The IQHA set up to have 4 judges on 1 day….a gift for the exhibitor! I just knew it would be a great show with many large classes. Would you believe only 2 classes had at least 5 entries…most classes had 2-3 entries only!
The judging was more than fair, the IQHA was perfectly hospitable as always but no one came! Why is that?
And yes, I did come away with points on all 3 horses we took so this is not sour grapes talking.
We had planned to continue on down to Columbia, MO for the double judged show on Sunday but a phone call ended that when we were advised it was was to be weaker than Des Moines. So we went home.
I am fine with spending the $363.00 for entries, the $480 for stalls/shavings, the $127.00 each for 2 motel rooms, the $111.00 for meals, the $502.00 for fuel because I truly love it!
But where were the points….there were people that came and spent their money as I did who came away with little or no points. I have come to believe that we need to change our system somewhat…the AQHA needs to revise the point system. If there are 1, 2 or 3 horses in a class, they get 1/2 point. Nothing changes above that.
It now becomes worthwhile to continue to go down the road. I know this affects the IF money but look at how it will help the respective shows and more importantly the attitude of the members….plus more entry fees, stalls & shavings, food/motels for the local economy.
I trust someone will consider this option, I believe it is viable and has merit.
AQHA has so many programs in place for other disiplines, how about for once we do something good for the halter horse segment. We have taken so much flack for the HYPP issue….yet we too love and cherish our American Quarter Horse.
Thank you for the temporary use of your soapbox.
Luther Copeland
Copeland Show Horses
Stephenville, Texas
June 29th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
In response to Mr Copeland’s letter I would say what has happened to our showing over the last 20 years has been the specialization of the breed whereas there are only horses that show halter; only horses that show pleasure; etc., and the lack of AQHA champions is evident in the results. We as a group have limited the abilities of our horses to be able to perform in all events and thus when you only have a specific horse for a specific class this is exactly the result, less and less people participating because maybe their horse doesn’t fit that ‘one’ specialty. Judges no longer give awards to horses that may cover all the bases…we’re not wanted anymore so why bother to show up. This is what you all wanted and you got it. Now the association is actually adding halter classes for working horses! Wasn’t that the original point of the breed, the horse that could do it all. Somewhere we all lost touch with that. And this is the result. We have left out the backbone of the industry and it will be to our loss. I for one am one of those people. I have horses that are well bred multi-talented animals and I wouldn’t waste my time or money bringing them to shows anymore. Instead I take my horses to the local shows that provide a venue for their talents. We used to have a column just for AQHA Champions and it was an honor to get that award. What happened??
Cordially
Amy I Meighan
Roy Utah
July 8th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Like Amy, I too have greatly scaled back my competition in AQHA shows and have shifted my riding to Open shows. My favorite classes are performance classes such as English Pleasure, Western Pleasure and Equitation. I am a 50 year old woman who over time has developed spinal stenosis and so to help me continue riding I use a wonderful trainer that keeps my gelding in tune. The problem that I face in AQHA shows is being able to ride my horse in that slow hock driven hyper collection that you need to have to win in the pleasure classes, this kind of gate requires a very strong leg and back to get the horse to self carry and my limited strength limits my ability to get the horse to do this. It also takes a lot of skill for the non disabled riders too. The open show community offers walk trot classes that allow me to compete in greater comfort and in the pleasure classes a working lope (not the collected lope) is used by the judges. I am not the only one going this route, open shows in our area, especially those who are recognised by a multi state org called the WSCA (Western Saddle Club Association) are huge. (Go to the WSCA champ show in September in Saint Paul Mn and see the numbers). When my local saddle club combined efforts with the NDQHA on an introductory show there was only 3 to 5 people competing in most of the classes. Others chose not to because they were confused and really didn’t care about AQHA points.
AQHA needs to make some classes easy and more rewarding for mid level riders.
Just a thought
December 30th, 2010 at 7:49 am
Its about time that people like me are speaking out about the way the judges are judging these quarter horses. I go to the Congress every year and I sit and watch the pleasure classes with great disappointment. If you want to watch a mechanical looking horse to go around the ring, then I say go buy one. I find it very sad to see a western pleasure horse trying to keep its balance at the lope by bobbing its head with a dead expression you might say. What happen with the natural moving horse. Not only that, if you don’t have a 15,000 dollar horse or one that costs in the thousands who is 17 to 18 hands they don’t look at you.
I go to club shows where its relaxing and everbody enjoys having a good time whether you win or lose. I find today its all about money which alot of us don’t have.
I agree with Michelle. My Quarter Horses are are old foundation. Smaller and a lot more versatile in many ways.
Just a suggestion. Maybe AQHA should have classes for horses under 16 hands.
December 30th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Unfortunately, for me, Mr. Copeland answered the problem for many when I totalled up $1,710 in expenses for his one show. I just can’t do it. And, Ms. Meighan, you are so right. I am almost 67 with the same physical problems you describe. While I much prefer to show AQHA, I am both physically and fiscally unable to do so. I am afraid my four horses and I have to do the opens shows. Bummer.
December 30th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
I sure hope AQHA is listening! All of you have the same opinion that myself and most of my friends have! I purchased the AQHA DVD “Showing to Win – Western Pleasure.” Was amazed that the DVD actually showed horses working with forward motion..no head bobbing, etc. Now, if the judges would only use those horses!
If it weren’t for the local shows, I wouldn’t get to compete at all. I love showing in halter and in western pleasure. Have done so most of my life (now 54). But, I cannot afford AQHA shows! I’ve only done a handful of them in my lifetime..mostly because of the money and the fact that if you’re not in with the “in” crowd, you might as well be showing a mule, not your QH! At local shows, most all participants are having fun and you don’t have to be a part of the “in” crowd to feel welcome! Wake Up AQHA!
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:52 pm
I may not have a right to voice my opinion because I haven’t shown for years. I disagreed with having silver on the tack since it has nothing to do with the performance of your horse and the expence of that alone left many young people out of the show ring who could not afford it. I disagreed with the cutting of the tails, tying their heds high overnight so the horse will keep it’s head low during show. In my day, the performance of the horse and the rider’s ability to show the horse were more important than the fluff that is in the showring now. I am against unatural gait that seems a necessity these days. I watch the horses and they do not look happy or natural. Politics has become so important that what is best for the horses that we are supposed to love is forgotten. I have 5 Quarterhorses who’s welfare comes above everything else including making sure a buyer will provide protection and a good home. Why do horses need tail extensions? What does that have to do with how well the horse performs? I think this piece of fluff also has no place in a showring. I know I sound angry and I will admit what I have mentioned have made me angry over the years.