Discussions with stock show/state fair managers, ranchers, and show managers further encourage AQHA’s Executive Committee to bring together focus groups to discuss suggestions relative to shows.

Mike Major ropes his cow under the judges' eyes during the ranch remuda contest at Battle in the Saddle in Oklahoma City in July 2010.

The past couple of weeks have been busy with several meetings taking place. In addition to the AQHA Executive Committee, the past presidents, the American Quarter Horse Foundation Council, AQHA Investment Oversight Committee and the AQHA Hall of Fame Selection Committee all met. Among the items the Executive Committee reviewed and discussed was criteria for racing at the Jockey Club de Sorocaba in Brazil, the AQHA World Show financial statements along with regular business items related to registration and show issues that require the committee’s action.

The Executive Committee also met with stock show managers. Discussion focused on the changing demographics of the stock show/state fair audience, which is typical of the changing demographics of the horse industry enthusiasts. In previous years, spectators at stock shows and rodeos were “in tune” with agriculture-related events and had a knowledge of livestock events. Today’s audience strictly wants entertainment.

Many different scenarios and suggestions were discussed to attract more spectators and exhibitors. These discussions, coupled with a show managers’ summit held in June, have further encouraged the Executive Committee to move forward with bringing together focus groups to discuss a wide range of suggestions relative to AQHA shows. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

View standing committee reports and Executive Committee action.

Many great recommendations came out of AQHA’s 14 standing committees, which met during the AQHA Convention.

The Executive Committee spent a great deal of time reviewing the reports. You can review the reports and recommendations by visiting  Member Services (second column below MEMBER ACTION, click COMMITTEE REPORTS) to view all the standing committee reports and the Executive Committee’s action.

Read the rest of this entry »

Even if you’re not a competitor or a diehard reining fan, the World Equestrian Games “World’s Fair atmosphere” will be something itself.

I hope you are planning to attend the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, Kentucky, September 25 – October 10. As you know, AQHA is the official breed sponsor of reining, one of the eight international disciplines spotlighted at the games. Even if you’re not a competitor or a diehard reining fan, the World’s Fair atmosphere that surrounds the games will be something itself.

Read the rest of this entry »

Join me in welcoming our new AQHA Executive Committee.

Johannes and wife, Astrid, with Fritz Power, the leading sire of the German Quarter Horse Association.

On March 8, at the 2010 AQHA Convention, we welcomed the first international AQHA President, Johannes Orgeldinger of Grosswallstadt, Germany.

Johannes has been involved with American Quarter Horses for more than a quarter of a century and has volunteered his time and talents to the  the AQHA Executive Committee for the past four years. He was first elected to the AQHA Executive Committee in 2006. He divides his time between Germany and a Read the rest of this entry »

Check out a few of your many member benefits.

Events like the Ford Youth World Show are made possible by AQHA's Corporate Partners.

AQHA’s corporate partners provide many discounts and benefits, such as America’s Horse magazine, plus support for some of AQHA’s most popular programs and events.

By becoming an AQHA member, you will receive discounts with the following Corporate Partners.

Ford

Along with sponsoring the Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show, Ford Motor Co. gives every AQHA member a chance to save big on a new vehicle. Each member receives a $500 rebate toward the purchase of a new Ford or Lincoln Mercury. And not only that, but you receive up to four of these rebate certificates each year — two for Ford, and two for Lincoln Mercury. So, if you are Read the rest of this entry »

As a testament to the dedication of AQHA employees, those that were able to get to the office dug in where they were most needed.

The first month of 2010 ended in a flurry of activity – literally. A severe winter storm hit Amarillo last week. On Thursday, January 28, the AQHA offices closed at noon due to deteriorating weather and road conditions. We were able to reopen the offices Friday with a skeleton crew. As a testament to the dedication of AQHA employees, those that were able to get to the office dug in where they were most needed. Customers that called in to the customer service department were greeted by yours truly and employees from other departments.

After a foot of snow fell on Amarillo, new customer service representatives were recruited to answer AQHA's phones.

With the beginning of a new decade, we look forward to a productive year at the Association.

The Treadway family had a great holiday, and I hope you did, too. Grandson Connor received his first horse. Connor’s mom insisted that we wait a little longer before he gets his American Quarter Horse so this year we had to settle for just a quarter-sized horse.

Connor Treadway rides his Christmas pony.

With the beginning of a new decade, we are looking forward to a Read the rest of this entry »

AQHA members have opportunity to shape the world’s largest equine association.

AQHA members are vital to the Association and have been influential in shaping the organization since its founding in 1940. The opportunity to propose new rules or changes allows members to voice their ideas and help continue to improve AQHA. If you are an AQHA member, you can submit a suggestion for a rule change for the AQHA Official Handbook. All proposals are due by December 31, 2009. Constructive rule change proposals will then be assigned to Read the rest of this entry »

Exciting matchups on the racetrack aren’t the only things happening during the Challenge weekend.

Snowbound Superstar. Photo by Scott Martinez.

Fall is here, which means a cornucopia of events featuring the best and the brightest American Quarter Horses. Sandwiched between Congress and World Show, I will be looking forward to watching the fastest horses on earth compete at the Bank of America Challenge Championships over Halloween weekend at Los Alamitos in California.

The Orange County racetrack has a storied history, opening in 1951 under the care of Frank Vessels Sr., and today Read the rest of this entry »

The 2009 Ford Youth World Show featured great American Quarter Horses and talented AQHYA members.

It’s always fun to spend time with our AQHYA members and see the future of our association in action. Last week, I witnessed some top competition at the Built Ford Tough American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show in Oklahoma City.

There were 883 youth exhibitors from 45 states, four Canadian provinces, France, Germany and the United Kingdom who competed for 33 world championship titles. This year’s theme was “Rock Your World” and the AQHYA members did just that from the talent show, the contests and the show arena.

For nine full days the competition kept State Fair Park in Oklahoma City hopping. Oklahoma City rolled out the welcome mat for our exhibitors. It’s no wonder given the fact that the show provides an estimated $10.9 million boost Read the rest of this entry »

Charlie Hemphill answers questions about Incentive Fund changes in 2010.

We’ve had a few questions that have arisen after my recent post on AQHA’s introductory shows. The following is from AQHA’s Senior Director of Shows Charlie Hemphill:

The introductory shows are not intended to qualify people for the World Show but instead, as the name implies, be an introduction to AQHA classes. The AQHA show department has reviewed the entries at the introductory shows and at this time has not found anyone abusing these shows to get qualified for the World Shows. Show Management has the Read the rest of this entry »