2018 AQHA Standing Committee Reports Now Online

AQHA Publicity

The American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee met April 3-5 in Amarillo to review the standing-committee recommendations approved at the 2018 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 2018 standing-committee reports. Read the full committee reports at www.aqha.com/convention. 

AQHA Amateur Committee
The Executive Committee approved:

• A task force to amend rule SHW225.3.1 by making an exception to the remuneration rule that would allow an amateur to have received remuneration through an approved apprentice program and a task force to review SHW225.3.1, SHW225.3.4, SHW225.5 and SHW227 related to an amateur holding a judge’s card.
• Modify SHW245.3.1 to specify that at the time of application for Level 1, an individual may not have earned a superior award within the past 10 years in a particular class in any equine organization or association with a membership of more than 7,500 members (including AQHA).
• Add new rule, SHW245.3.6, to read, “When an exhibitor reaches 70 years of age or older (i.e. Super-Select), they may return to Level 1 if they meet the eligibility requirements as listed in SHW245.3, SHW245.3.1, SHW245.3.3, SHW245.3.4 and SHW245.3.5.

2018-19 AQHA Amateur Committee Chairwoman: Cheryllee Sargent

AQHA Equine Research Committee
The Executive Committee approved the American Quarter Horse Foundation funding $251,399.46 in research projects:

• Clinical and Biochemical Effects of Intra-Articular Autologous Conditioned Serum and Triamcinolone in an Equine Model of Synovitis, Auburn University
• Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Ethylphenidate in Horses, Racing Medication and Testing Consortium
• Effects of Aquatic Conditioning on Cartilage and Bone Metabolism in Young Horses, Texas A&M University
• The Effect of Horseshoe Length and Hoof Growth that Could Lead to the Underrun Heel Hoof Conformation Associated with Development of Injuries in Quarter Horses, University of California-Davis
• Platelet Lysate Modulates Systematic Inflammatory Responses in Horses, University of Georgia
• Proteomic Profiles of Stallions with Superb and Poor Semen Cryopreservation, University of Illinois
• Elucidation of the Mechanism of Suppression of Type-I IFN Response by Equine Herpesvirus-1, University of Kentucky
• Simplified Genetic Tests for Equine Embryos during a Standard Embryo Transfer, University of Kentucky

2018-19 AQHA Research Committee Chairman: Dr. Bob Coleman

AQHA International Committee

• The AQHA International Committee reviewed the reports from the following task forces: Educational Exchange Task Force, which dissolved after the 2018 convention; Affiliate Structure Task Force, which also dissolved after the 2018 convention; and International Championship Event Task Force, which is reinstated through the 2019 convention.
• The Executive Committee approved the formation of a task force to examine the requirements and process for establishing new international affiliates and a task force to develop and discuss an international steward program.
• The Board of Directors approved the modification to Article III Section1.(f) of the Bylaws by changing “Oceana and others” to “Australasia-Africa.”
• The Executive Committee approved the recommendation that Ecuador be granted provisional affiliate status until the 2019 AQHA Convention when the country’s application will be reviewed for full affiliate status.

The International Committee also recommended items to be placed on the AQHA Nominations and Credentials Committee 2019 convention agenda; that the AQHA Stud Book and Registration Committee implement a digital registration certificate system; the development of a 2019 post-convention educational seminar; the inclusion of the youth best practices document as an addendum to the international affiliate agreement. The committee also challenged AQHA staff to review and modify internal processes to allow email copies of registration certificates, DNA kits, DNA results, membership cards and correspondence.

2018-19 AQHA International Committee Chairwoman: Lori Bucholz

AQHA Judges Committee
The Executive Committee approved amendments to the following rules:

• SHW434.2 riding without contact of bottom of boot securely on pad of stirrup, at all gaits, including back up, as a major fault
• SHW520.5 by removing “breaking the barrier”
• SHW534.3 by removing “failure to stop on hindquarters and hold position through the completion of the run”

The Executive Committee also approved the Scoring Task Force recommendations for showmanship, horsemanship and hunt seat equitation.

• Scoring range of 0 to infinity and average of 70
• Maneuver scoring range of +3 to -3
• Patterns to have 6 to 10 maneuvers for scoring
• OF&P be renamed Rider Form and Effectiveness
• Rider form and effectiveness range from 0-5
• Penalty range 3 for minor, 5 for major, 10 for severe

2018-19 AQHA Judging Committee Chairman: John Pipkin

AQHA Marketing and Membership Committee
The AQHA Marketing and Membership Committee challenged AQHA staff to explore an introductory membership program. The committee also discussed a variety of other marketing and membership initiatives, including directing the various subcommittees to explore how to engage members and potential new members and report back to the committee.

2018-19 AQHA Marketing and Membership Committee Chairwoman: Gale Little

AQHA Nominations and Credentials Committee
Four bylaw changes were considered by the Nominations and Credentials Committee at the 2018. The committee’s recommendations were approved by the AQHA Board of Directors at convention. Read more about the bylaw changes.

2018-19 Nominations and Credentials Committee Chairwoman: Georgianna Renouard

AQHA Public Policy Committee
The Executive Committee approved:

• Continue to support Foreign Market Development and Market Access Program funding in the USDA appropriations bill, and the ongoing farm bill reauthorization at current or increased levels;
• Continue to support language in the Tax Extender Act of 2017;
• Continue to support the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act;
• Continue to support the Horse Protection Act Amendment draft final rule and encourage the administration to publish in the Federal Register;
• Continue to support the National Equine Health Plan;
• Continue to support the youth public policy program; and an AQHA public policy congressional fellowship program;
• Continue to oppose funding restrictions on USDA domestic processing facilities and the Safeguard American Food Exports Act;
• Appoint a task force to continue to advance the ¼ of 1 percent public policy fundraising effort at horse sales;
• Adopt the public policy strategic plan as presented by the task force;
• Develop an ambitious plan for educating AQHA members, legislators and other stakeholders about AQHA public policy initiative, concerns, impacts and successes.

The Public Policy Committee also recommended mandatory microchipping of all horses.

2018-19 AQHA Public Policy Committee Chairman: Dr. Calvin White

AQHA Racing Committee
The Executive Committee approved an updated policy concerning awards and publicity of horses and/or trainers with racing medication positives. Read more about the policy.

The Executive Committee also approved to modify the South American Racing Champion criteria to the same as Canada and Mexico champion categories, which reads:

“The top-10 money-earning Canada-foaled and Mexico-foaled racing American Quarter Horses that competed primarily in Canada or Mexico, respectively, will be placed on the ballot.”

South American horses are required to be registered with AQHA in order to be considered on the ballot.

The Racing Committee supported maintaining the traditional Racing Challenge program format and discussed ways to improve financial structure of the program moving forward.

2018-19 AQHA Racing Committee Chairman: Mark Brown

AQHA Ranching Committee
The Executive Committee approved several modifications and new rules related to ranch classes. View all the rules that were affected in the AQHA Ranching Committee report at www.aqha.com/convention. Rule-changes will also be shared on www.aqha.com/ranching. 

2018-19 AQHA Ranching Committee Chairman: Jim Hunt

AQHA Recreational Activities Committee
The AQHA Recreational Activities Committee challenged AQHA staff to explore pricing structure of the AQHA Horseback Riding Program and report back to the committee. The Executive Committee approved the recommendation to restructure the subcommittees with specific objectives and measurable goals: recreational activities outreach and youth involvement.

The committee also discussed reviewing and updating recreational riding programs, including Stewards for Trail, Education and Partnerships (STEP) and the Horseback Riding Program.

2018-19 AQHA Recreational Activities Committee Chairman: Bill Horton

AQHA Show Committee
The Executive Committee approved modifications to several show rules. More details on these rule changes are available in the AQHA Show Committee Report at www.aqha.com/convention and will also be released on www.aqha.com/showing. 

2018-19 Show Committee Chairman: Tom McBeath 

AQHA Studbook and Registration Committee
Modifications to registration-related items were approved by AQHA members and the AQHA Board of Directors at the convention. Read more about the registration changes.

2018-2019 Studbook and Registration Committee Chairman: Jimmy Eller

AQHA Youth Activities Committee
The Executive Committee approved announcing regional director election results on the second day of the Bank of America Youth Excellence Seminar; to allow officer candidates 30 seconds of preparation before responding with an impromptu speech during the election process; and to evaluate past performance as an officer or director in the cumulative score for American Quarter Horse Youth Association national officer candidates.

The Executive Committee also approved a task force to explore and develop youth alumni and young adult involvement with members of the Amateur, Marketing and Membership and Youth Activities committees and the creation of a grassroots-focused horsemanship outreach program.

Additional discussion topics included technologies in youth programs, an overview of AQHYA programs, 2018 AQHYA theme, YES and the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup, plus a variety of ideas to grow AQHYA membership and encourage involvement from current youth members.

2018-19 AQHA Youth Activities Committee Chairwoman: Jennifer Horton

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, 2018, to submit items for the 2019 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 8-11, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Read more about AQHA’s rule-change process or watch this video on AQHA’s YouTube channel. Log in to the AQHA Member Services area for a list of the standing committees.

For guidelines on writing proposed rule changes, visit www.aqha.com/handbook.

If you have any questions on the 2018 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.