COVID-19 Preparedness Letter For AQHA World Exhibitors
AQHA Publicity
Dear AQHA World Show Exhibitors and Members,
Over the next three weeks, we will be engaged in a historical, record-setting Farnam AQHA World Championship Show; AQHA Select World Championship Show, presented by Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan); Adequan® Level 2 Championships; Nutrena Level 1 Championships; and AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals held in accordance with local, state and federal mandates at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. Our entries have doubled from approximately 4,000 to more than 8,000. As a result, the facility is sold out for this event. Over the past several years, we have envisioned a world show with much more activity. The year 2020 began with so much hope. In a few short months, a world-wide pandemic, the likes of which we had not been seen in 100 years, was upon us all.
We had to make difficult decisions to cancel the three Nutrena Level 1 Championships shows, AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships, AQHA RHC Finals and Adequan® Select World earlier in the year. We then made calculated decisions to reschedule most of those events to November to accommodate the wishes of our members. Additional modifications were made to qualifying for the 2021 AQHA VRH World since this show was not rescheduled for 2020.
At the request of the vast majority of the trade show vendors, we have been able to move them from the Bennett Event Center into the main facility to be able to serve you better, while also adhering to social-distancing protocols. In the beginning of 2020, AQHA partnered with Jim Ware to plan the 41st Annual Fall Triangle Sale to be held in conjunction with the show. The sale, featuring nearly 500 consignments, brings the grand reputation held by Triangle Horse Sales of offering the finest trained performance horses, prospects and breeding stock to the Farnam AQHA and Adequan® Select Worlds, making this a top venue for both buyers and sellers.
It has been a cooperative and unprecedented effort by so many – AQHA members, AQHA Show Council, AQHA staff, OKC Fairgrounds staff – and many others behind the scenes to accomplish our desire to exhibit the most popular horses in the world, our American Quarter Horses.
We now ask for your help in ensuring the success of this show. Please lend a hand to others where you see need. Understand this show is important to all exhibitors, whether they are competing in the AQHA RHC Finals, Nutrena Level 1, Adequan® Level 2 or our highest-performing horses and members in Farnam and Adequan® Level 3 classes. Work with our ring crews who will be doing their best to ensure the show pens and practice arenas are groomed to perfection. Every effort is going to be made to meet all expectations for the Farnam AQHA and Adequan® Select Worlds. We are all in this together because of our shared passion!
Finally, it is our responsibility to do our best in protecting one another during this pandemic. For those of you who attended the Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show, you experienced the cooperation of all in following the health protocols that were in place. The result was success. We have improved and elevated our health protocols to protect you and your friends in our industry. Please help us be successful in accomplishing this most important goal and adhere to the health protocols, including wearing your facial protection while at the facility. We need your help to host a successful and safe show.
View the AQHA World Show Health Protocols.
We look forward to seeing you in Oklahoma City and wish you the best of luck!
Sincerely,
Butch Wise, AQHA President
Norm Luba, AQHA First Vice President
Dr. Scott Myers, AQHA Second Vice President
Ken Banks, AQHA Executive Committee Member
Jim Hunt, AQHA Executive Committee Member
Gene Spagnola, AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Council Chairman
Robin Frid, AQHA Show Committee Chairman
Craig Huffhines, AQHA Executive Vice President
Aaron Bovos, AQHA Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Justin Billings, AQHA Chief Show Officer
