Behind the Scenes at 2019 AQHA Convention With Gale Little

By: Brittany Bevis

The 2019 AQHA Convention is a wrap! Plenty of excitement took place in Cowtown this year, March 8-11 during the Convention, beginning with the General Membership Meeting where Red Steagall and AQHA Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas were guest speakers. Also during the event, the 2018 Don Burt Professional Horseman of the Year Award was presented to Gil Galyean. Chele McGauly was named the 2018 Professional Horsewoman of the Year. The 2018 Most Valuable Professional was Steve Meadows. Click here to read more.

Also, the 2019-2020 AQHA Executive Committee was elected during the Convention with President Stan Weaver, First Vice President Butch Wise, Second Vice President Norman Luba, Member Dr Scott Myers, and Member Ken Banks being sworn in. Click here to read more.

On March 10th, everyone dressed in their finest to attend the Hall Of Fame Banquet where six horses and five individuals were inducted. The stallions: Harlan, Mr Jess Perry, Tiger Leo, Trippy Dip (TB), and Zippos Mr Good Bar, were invited, as well as the mare, Vital Signs Are Good. Four men were inducted into the Hall Of Fame: Billy Allen, the late J.M. Frost III, the late Hans Hansma, and Jim Jennings. One woman, AQHA Past President Johne Dobbs, was inducted as well. Click here to read more. 

If you’re wondering which rule changes were voted through and which will have to go back to the drawing board, you will have to wait until after the April Executive Committee meeting for official word from AQHA. That’s because member-submitted proposals are first sent to committee members prior to the Convention so they’re prepared to discuss during the event. Then, committee meetings can be conducted in two sessions: an open session and a committee members-only session. After the committees vote on which proposals to advance out of committee, the chairman then presents a report to the general membership meeting. Then, the members in attendance vote on which committee recommendations should advance to the Board of Directors or be modified. Next, the Board of Directors vote on whether to modify or advance those recommendations to the AQHA Executive Committee. However, the Board of Directors does have the final say regarding bylaws and registration rules. Finally, the recommendations go to the AQHA Executive Committee to review, approve, or modify during its April meeting.

So, be sure to stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for word on official rule changes. In the meantime, scroll below for more fun photos from the Convention, courtesy of Gale Little, who received her belt buckle for serving on the AQHA Membership and Marketing Committee for three years as Chairperson.