Congratulations AQHA Award Winning Clubs!
AQHA Publicity
The Delaware, Washington State and Missouri Quarter Horse associations were named 2015 Bank of America Affiliate Achievement Award winners by the American Quarter Horse Association for their efforts of promoting the American Quarter Horse at the grassroots level.
To ensure the growth of the American Quarter Horse industry, resources need to be directed toward innovative projects and ideas that encourage new people to become involved with horse activities. The AQHA Affiliate Achievement Award recognizes affiliates for these innovations.
The award winners are chosen based on how well the affiliate’s ideas fit into AQHA’s goals:
- Creating opportunities for horse owners
- Bringing new people into the industry
- Encouraging increased memberships
- Promoting registrations or transfers of ownership
- Protecting the integrity and/or welfare of the breed
- Enhancing youth development
AQHA affiliates were divided into three divisions, which were based on the 2014 registered American Quarter Horse population, so affiliates were competing against other affiliates of similar size.
“As we reflect on our 75th anniversary, it is clear that we would not be the Association we are today or the world’s most popular breed without our members and affiliates,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines. “The efforts of the affiliates do not go unrecognized, and on behalf of AQHA, thank you for all you do for AQHA and the American Quarter Horse.”
The Division I recipient of the Affiliate Achievement Award is the Delaware Quarter Horse Association. DQHA plans to purchase a cargo trailer that would be utilized to create a “Mobile AQHA Model.” The model will be filled with AQHA and DQHA membership information, interactive media and equine-related information. DQHA members hope to make the trailer available for educational and promotional presentations and for display at horse shows, trail rides, fairs and expositions to provide education about horses and increase membership within AQHA and DQHA.
The Division II award recipient is the Washington State Quarter Horse Association. WSQHA has developed an intern program that brings together outstanding young men and women between the ages of 16 and 18 from Washington State Quarter Horse Youth Association membership. The interns promote the affiliate, its programs and initiatives along with the American Quarter Horse. WSQHA will use its funding to expand the Youth Ambassador-Intern Program to other groups and states in their region and in the nation.
The Division III recipient is the Missouri Quarter Horse Association. MQHA is hosting the Missouri Equine Industry Summit in St. Louis. The summit’s mission is to promote the equine industry and outline the economic impact the industry has in Missouri by forming an alliance of industry-based organizations. The ultimate goal is to provide a weekend event that provides horse owners with educational opportunities.
AQHA wishes to recognize these affiliate associations for their innovative plans and ideas while promoting the American Quarter Horse and ensuring the growth and future of our industry.
To view a list of AQHA’s state, provincial and international affiliates, visit www.aqha.com/affiliates.
Bank of America is a proud partner of AQHA. AQHA members can take advantage of exclusive checking and savings accounts, lines of credit and credit cards. Click for more information or to open an account.
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.
