AQHA Publicity
The American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee met April 26-28 in Amarillo to review the standing-committee recommendations approved at the 2016 AQHA Convention by the AQHA Board of Directors, with the exception of those related to bylaw changes and rules of registration, for which final approval lies with the board of directors. Even though some agenda items were not approved, careful consideration, discussion and debate were devoted to each item. Below are the highlights of approved agenda items from the 2016 standing-committee reports. Read the full committee reports at www.aqha.com/convention.
AQHA Equine Research Committee
The Executive Committee approved the American Quarter Horse Foundation funding of $304,933 in research projects. The Equine Research Committee also discussed its support of adding educational activities to the annual AQHA convention. The committee members believe the addition of these opportunities will get AQHA members more engaged in the organization and provide a sense of ownership for the programs and services provided by the American Quarter Horse Foundation.
2016-17 AQHA Equine Research Committee Chairman: Dr. Bob Coleman
AQHA International Committee
The Executive Committee approved a task force to review the AQHA leveling program internationally. The International Committee discussed a variety of international initiatives, including improving affiliate and international member communication, and improving affiliate and international member access to pending work, including billing and registrations.
2016-17 AQHA International Committee Chairwoman: Lori Bucholz
AQHA Judges Committee
The Executive Committee approved two new rules:
- With the exception of timed events, a judge may not judge for a show management team/entity that consists in whole or in part of: (a) common individual(s) listed as show management; (b) common individual(s) involved in the actual management of a show (whether or not listed); (c) common individual(s) who are compensated by or have an ownership interest in a show management team/entity; or (d) immediate family members (spouse, parent, child or grandparent) that the judge has already judged three shows, or set of shows for in a calendar year.
- Judges may confer in a timely manner regarding lameness, rule violations, disqualifications and major penalties, provided a ring steward is present.
2016-17 AQHA Judges Committee Chairman: Al Dunning
AQHA Marketing and Membership Services Committee
The Executive Committee approved the creation of a task force to research, coordinate and assist with the implementation of a strategic plan focused on the engagement of young adults. The committee also discussed and supported plans for a variety of other marketing and membership initiatives, including updates to the American Horse Council’s Time to Ride, a review of 2015 marketing tactics, the new You Hold My Heart and We Are AQHA advertising campaigns, AQHA publications plans and social media accounts, affiliate marketing opportunities, updates on new Robin Glenn Pedigrees products and a variety of other ideas to assist with growing AQHA membership and encouraging members to become more active in the Association.
2016-17 AQHA Marketing and Membership Services Committee Chairwoman: Anna Morrison
AQHA Nominations and Credentials Committee
The AQHA Board of Directors approved modifications to the following two bylaws:
- Bylaw Article IV, Section 3:
The President with the advice and majority vote of the Executive Committee may fill all vacancies in the Executive Committee occurring between annual conventions of AQHA.
- Bylaw Article III Section 1:
If a director’s service on the board of directors is terminated by the board of directors, or if a resignation in lieu of such termination is accepted, such director shall be ineligible to be nominated to serve as a director for a minimum of seven (7) years from the date of their termination or resignation.
2016-17 AQHA Nominations and Credentials Committee Chairman: Dr. Scott Meyers
AQHA Public Policy Committee
The Executive Committee approved supporting legislation to repeal the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) final rule. Additionally, the Executive Committee reaffirmed AQHA’s legislative position on a number of bills affecting the horse industry including the National Forest Trails Stewardship Act. The Public Policy Committee recommended and the Executive Committee approved continuing support of a variety of groups, including the Unwanted Horse Coalition. The Public Policy Committee recommended and the Executive Committee approved ideas to enhance AQHA’s public policy efforts by developing a plan to educate members through AQHA’s media outlets; establishing a designated account to assist in funding AQHA’s advocacy efforts; and implementing a voluntary one-quarter of 1 percent checkoff from horse sales.
2016-17 AQHA Public Policy Committee Chairwoman: Dr. Eleanor Green
AQHA Racing Committee
The Executive Committee approved the recommendation to appoint a task force to study how AQHA as an association can continue to lead the way in fighting the use of performance-enhancing drugs in American Quarter Horse racing.
2016-17 AQHA Racing Committee Chairman: Kelvin Childers
AQHA Ranching Committee
The Executive Committee approved recommendations to modify and clarify rules related to Versatility Ranch Horse ranch cow work, ranch riding, ranch trail and ranch reining classes to be more in line with AQHA alliance partners. This was the Ranching Committee’s inaugural meeting and committee members also approved an AQHA ranching division mission statement to guide future ranching initiatives.
2016-17 AQHA Ranching Committee Chairman: Jim Hunt
AQHA Recreational Activities Committee
The Executive Committee approved the appointment of a task force to study AQHA’s Trail Ride program. The Recreational Activities Committee discussed several items during convention including the second AQHA Celebration at Cross Country Trail Rides in Eminence, Missouri; potential expansion of the AQHA Horseback Riding Program; and potential expansion of the AQHA Trail Challenge program.
2016-17 AQHA Recreational Activities Committee Chairman: Tom Downing
AQHA Show Committee
The Executive Committee approved a recommendation from the Western Dressage Task Force to adopt western dressage as an AQHA-recognized discipline in 2018. The Executive committee also approved the use of task forces to investigate the health of the hunter division, review of the show leveling system and the viability of a special-event rodeo held in conjunction with the Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show.
2016-17 AQHA Show Committee Chairwoman: Stephanie Lynn
AQHA Studbook and Registration Committee
The AQHA Board of Directors approved the requirement of photographs of any horse that is advancing from the Appendix to the Permanent registry.
2016-17 AQHA Stud Book and Registration Committee Chairman: Norm Luba
AQHA Youth Activities Committee
The Executive Committee approved recommendations to modify the 2016 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show, which include discontinuing the variety show, team demonstration speech, Horse Bowl and freestyle contest with a goal of researching ways to improve the contests in the future. The Executive Committee also approved the creation of a task force to research the development of the Emerging Athletes Program, including regional clinic and internship options. Another task force will explore scholarship opportunities at the Ford Youth World. The Youth Activities Committee also discussed encouraging increased participation in AQHYA events by rodeo competitors and continuing efforts of AQHA to investigate and implement innovative youth programming opportunities.
2016-17 AQHA Youth Activities Committee Chairwoman: Rebecca Halvorson
About the AQHA Convention and Rule Changes
AQHA is an organization that works for its members. Each spring, AQHA holds a convention to review AQHA rules and policies. During the convention, member-submitted rule changes and suggestions are also reviewed. AQHA wants to hear any suggestions you have to make AQHA membership, programs and services to reach their fullest potential.
Even though members have until December 31, 2016, to submit items for the 2017 AQHA Convention, the Association encourages members to submit items as early as possible to give Association staff, committees and councils more time to prepare materials and communicate potential changes before the convention March 17-20, 2017, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Antonio.
Download and complete the rule-change proposal form; there are two versions of the form available for your convenience at www.aqha.com/convention.
Log in to the AQHA Member Services area for a list of the standing committees.
Once you have completed the form, please return it via email to rulechanges@aqha.org. If you prefer, items may also be submitted by mail at: AQHA ATTN: (Committee Name) P.O. Box 200 Amarillo, TX 79168
For guidelines on writing proposed rule changes, visit www.aqha.com/handbook.
If you have any questions on the 2016 committee reports or about submitting a rule change, contact us!
For more information on the AQHA Convention, visit www.aqha.com/convention.
AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHAnews on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.
