Reporting live from the AQHA Convention in Grapevine, Texas, GoHorseShow.com is excited to report on the festivities, parties, general membership meeting and committee meetings held on Saturday and Sunday at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. With a gorgeous backdrop of this one-of-a-kind Texan themed convention center, we saw and met with some of the major industry leaders from the American Quarter Horse Association.
1. To amend rule 404 to include great aunt/uncle.
2. To amend Rule 450 (q) to allow the same horse to be exhibited by more than
one family member in the same class at the same show in different age divisions in youth.
3. To amend 404 (a) to include and unless otherwise permitted pursuant to AQHA rules and regulations,any horse exhibited in the youth division…
4. To form a strategic planning group to review AQHYA’s organizational structure, programs and events in an effort to revitalize the organization for the purpose of generating growth and more opportunities for youth.
5. To implement and fund a youth reward program.
6. To hold a hippology contest at the youth world show in 2012.
7. To enhance the hospitality efforts at the Youth World Show.
8. To form an advisory group to help ease and encourage the transition from 4H, FFA, junior high and high school level equestrian organizations to the AQHYA on both the national and state/provincial levels.
9. To elect Roger Elder as Chair.
AQHA Convention– Sunday, March 6, 2010
Leveling Program
With regards to the Leveling Program that was presented yesterday by AQHA Director of Shows Patti Carter-Pratt, GoHorseShow.com has provided more detailed information about the potential structure of the program. Click on this link to view a diagram of the levels that are being developed. Click on this link for a class sample of how show managers can set up their classes at their shows.
Like I mentioned in my earlier report, these suggestions made by the Blue Ribbon Task Force are not “set in stone” and AQHA is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this program that is tentatively set to launch in 2012. AQHA will have more detailed information provided on their website and Facebook Page. (please scroll down to see more information about the program from Saturday’s report).
AQHA World Champion Charlie Cole of Pilot Point, Texas says that he believes that the Blue Ribbon Task Force did an outstanding job presenting this program. “I think AQHA has made a positive move in trying to implement this program. My only concern is to make sure the advanced horses will not get penalized due to limited numbers in this category and their potential for losing out on points. However, I talked to someone on the Blue Ribbon Task Force today and they are thinking about giving the advanced horses one point more than the highest point class. For example, if the Intermediate Western Riding has 25 in the class then the winner of the advanced division would receive 6 points. It is still in its beginnning stages, but I am happy with the direction the leveling program appears to be going.”
Show and Contest Committee
General Subcommittee Report
The Chair of the General Subcommittee John Trafton presented our report to the entire Show and Contest Committee on Sunday. We did recommend to approve the use of weighted tails and lip chains with amateur and youth competitors. The subcommittee suggested that in order for a horse and exhibitor to be eligible to compete in the Performance Halter at the World Show and be eligible for year end awards, the horse must earn 10 points in a performance class other than Showmanship during the qualifying period. The committee recommended to take no action on the suggested addition of rules with regard to making Hunter In Hand a class, Sidesaddle equipment, performance halter suggestion rule suggestion with the exception of an amendment to 5 (b). We chose to refer the Incentive Fund, points needed to be able to show in Performance Halter in International countries, walk trot division and speed event suggestions to each specific task force and/or committee. The committee took no action on excessive white in performance halter, spayed mares, and point value changes.
Show Management Committee
The Chairman of the committee Peg Edmondson presented their report to the whole committee. They chose to take no action regarding to reverting back to the two junior and two senior horses past rule because there was not a two year wait before this suggested rule change was brought before the committee. It was brought up too early.
World Show Committee
The committee Chairman C.A. Cofer presented the report to the entire committee. They recommended approving and adding World Show finalists to horse’s show records. They also approved the idea that amateurs and select amateurs adopt the youth state qualifying rules to be able to qualify through the state to compete at the World Show. An interesting concept that was presented and approved by the committee was to have shootout rounds at the World Shows. If there is more than 80 entries in a class, there will be 15 more horses taken from placings 16-30 where they will compete again and the Top 5 of that group will come back for the finals. They also approved the rule change where horses need to be lined up in front of the judges during the Select Amateur World Show. They also approved the idea of giving all AQHA members free admission into the World Shows, and also they recommended that AQHA staff to examine the idea of having only 48 hours between preliminaries and finals at AQHA World Shows. They also approved the idea of creating a task force to study and investigate our present qualifying system for the Open World Show and be able to nominate (buy in) a horse into the AQHA World Show. The committee also approved the idea of adjusting Youth World State Qualifying to take all unfilled state slots where they can be used for other classes up to a maximum of six in any class (versus four) as recommended by Youth Advisors. Finally, they approved the idea that if the Youth World Champion graduates out because of age, then consider inviting the Reserve World Champion to the following Youth World. All of the other suggested rules–the committee chose to take no action.
Western Subcommittee
The Chairman of the Western Subcommittee John Pipkin, who was also just voted in as the new Chair of the Show and Contest Committee, read the rule suggestions from his committee including approving Green Reining as a class. Also to allow Novice Amateur and Novice Youth to show two handed with a snaffle bit in any class. They also recommended adding Amateur Stake Race as a class and to modify rule 465B (f), Western Pleasure, change to read, “At the option of the judge, horses may be asked to lengthen their stride at the walk or lope, one or both ways of the ring. Lengthened stride was suggested from the combined NSBA/AQHA western pleasure meeting.
English Subcommittee
The Chairman Kim Leiter read the comprehensive overhaul of the wording of the qualifications of Green Working Hunter and Progressive Working Hunter to make it better for the exhibitors regarding eligibility. It was recommended to add in severe faults of Hunt Seat Equitation that loose reins will be severely penalized. They also recommended lowering the fence heights of Senior Working Hunter from 3ft to 3 ft 3 inches. Finally, they recommended adding the word about the walk in Rule 447 (b)(1)[gaits]. Add the word “forward” in this paragraph. Recommended verbiage: “The horse must move straight, true and forward at the walk.
**All of these rule suggestions still have to be approved by the AQHA Executive Committee that meets in April. Stay tuned for the final rules that passed. Also look out for Dakota Diamond’s Griffith’s AQHA Convention Youth Committee Report coming soon!
AQHA Convention–Saturday March 5, 2010
General Membership Meeting
The general membership meeting started off at 9 am in the Grapevine meeting room where it began with the current AQHA President, Johannes Orgeldinger from Germany, who welcomed everyone to the convention. They had a few guest speakers including, Red Steagall, who livened up the audience with a speech filled with accolades toward the American Quarter Horse. There was also introduction of several Directors of Emeriti which is director who are at least 65 years old and had 10 years of service which included several well respected, horseman: Sandy Arledge, Harry Knight, Clark Bradley, Sarah Kunkle, Ken Cochrane, and Jo Anne Perlich. The Directors at Large were also rewarded for their service. These are individuals who have been directors for 15 years or more–there were over 26 individuals recognized including: Pete Kyle, Randy Alderson, Wayne Halvorson, Laurel Walker-Denton, Marilyn Randall, Scott Merritt, Gene Parker, Fritz Leeman, Roger Elder, Ken Banks, John Pipkin, and Mike Jennings to name a few.
There was also recognition given to AQHA’s corporate sponsors including Wrangler, Pfizer, Liberty Mutual, John Deere, and Bank of America that presented a check to AQHA for two million dollars.
The 61st president, Johannes Orgeldinger, also gave his President’s address by showing several pictures during his childhood and his involvement with American Quarter Horses throughout his lifetime. Then, Treasurer Trent Taylor provided the economic outlook of AQHA. where they explained that despite the economy, AQHA is increasing its net assets. Executive Vice President Don Treadway mentioned the current strategic operating plan for AQHA which included improving customer satisfaction, increasing membership, Infrastructure, Products and Programs, Communications and marketing, Business Developments, and Governance.
Treadway mentioned that membership, transfers and registrations are down mainly due to the economy and loss of jobs. The memberships are down from the highest of 353,000 in 2004 to approximately 300,000 in 2010. They estimated that 40% of the membership is under 30. 75% are females, but there needs to be a better reach out to young males, 4-H members and the Hispanic population. AQHA mentioned that they have not increased fees since 2009 largely due to the economy. Treadway discussed that since the recession started in 2008, eight million four hundred thousand Americans have lost their jobs which estimates to 1% of AQHA members:$84,000 AQHA member have estimated to have lost their jobs in the past two years. Treadway said that, “Despite these economic challenges, AQHA has chosen to not give in and find ways to be innovative and unify during these difficult times.”
Leveling Program
GoHorseShow.com was able to be present during several committee meetings and the Leveling Program that was discussed by Director of Shows Patti Carter-Pratt. The Leveling Program that was presented in the Dallas Room at 2 pm on Saturday afternoon was probably the most interesting and innovative program presented today. While nothing is set in stone, it proves to be a positive step toward trying to make it fair for everyone. AQHA and the Blue Ribbon Task Force is currently trying to figure out how to break down the levels of competition. There is a suggestion of having a Limited Rider program and most of the levels being associated to the level of the horse: i.e. advanced, intermediate, limited, etc level of horse. With regards to when there is a issue of safety, limited riders will be able to ride advanced horses in events such as Working Hunter, Working Cow Horse, etc. There is a thought from AQHA to have a three year cycle of reevaluating the levels of eligibility. AQHA plans to put the information on their website and their Facebook page. Patti Carter-Pratt mentioned during the the presentation that show management can arrange their shows to fit their particular market.
Their levels of competition include: A Walk Trot division, Rookie Division (Open, Amateur and Youth), where amount of points are to be determined by the Blue Ribbon Task Force; Limited (Green and Novice), Intermediate, and Open. They also provided a break down of the halter classes similar to the way Congress has broke it down. Open/Youth/Amateur will be broken down into yearling, two year-old, three year-old, aged, and performance. Intermediate and Open will run concurrently and show management will have the option to combine age groups into 2 and under/ 3 and over and performance halter depending upon the number of entries with exhibitor’s consent.
There is also the talk of having recognition of Intermediate Champions at the AQHA World Shows. Their goal is to enable exhibitors and horses to compete against other exhibitors of comparable experience and ability.
It is suggested that the leveling program and a “Limited Championship Show” to be launched in 2012. The Limited Championship Show will be exhibitors who have placed in the Top 10 of the Regional Championship shows. It is recommended that the show will take place right before the Youth World and will be for Amateurs and Youth. Further information about the leveling program can be found on the AQHA website in the near future or you can also contact Patti Carter-Pratt at [email protected].
Youth Committee Minutes
Thanks to Dakota Diamond Griffith for providing the unofficial minutes to the youth meeting.
404 – Permit horses owned by Great Aunts and Uncles to be shown by Youth Exhibitors (opponents believed that a lease would provide the same benefit without continuing to open the doors to include more distant family members in the future. Advocates felt that great aunts and uncles were more closely related to exhibitor than step-sibling type relationships, etc.).
Rejected: 12 votes
Accepted: 15 votes
To increase entries, permit one horse to be exhibited by multiple family members in the same class, but different age divisions, i.e. 11 and under, 12-14, 15-18, etc. (concerns were that multiple classes could affect animal welfare, advantages were to increase entries and help with family economics in those situations where they could only afford to own and haul one horse)
Accepted: 14
Rejected: 10
(Amateur committee disallowed, so youth committee assumed that this would not pass)
Reduce the age of halter exhibitors at the Youth World Show from 9 years to seven years providing that younger exhibitor has qualified outright. (No advocates. Opponents felt that exhibitor safety was a primary concern.)
Accepted: 0
Rejected: Unanimously
Currently, a youth member can purchase a life membership for $50; a 3 year membership for $35; and a one year membership for 15.00. Rule change would require all youth exhibitors, regardless of age to purchase a life membership.
Rejected: Unanimously
Marilyn Randall was recognized for her longtime service as Youth Committee chair. With her term ending, Roger Elder was nominated for this post.
Show and Contest Committee
It is proving to be a lively Show and Contest committee meeting so far about lip chains and reverting back to having two horses allowed to be shown in junior and senior. These topics will not be discussed until Sunday morning.
Senior Writer and Editor of GoHorseShow.com Laura Gilmer is also on the General Subcommittee of the Show and Contest Committee. She had a productive committee meeting this afternoon. The committee recommended no action on approving Hunter In Hand as a class. We also recommended that a rule be passed that in order for a horse to be able to show in the World Show in the Performance Halter or to be eligible for year end awards that a horse should have earned at least 10 points during the qualifying period. The idea of being shown at least fifteen times during the qualifying was rejected due to the possibility of it being abused. The belief that “halter horses” could still be showed in this class was the reason we rejected the idea of the 15 times rule.
GoHorseShow.com will update the votes of all committees on Sunday afternoon after all recommendation and votes have been passed through the committees. These recommendations will then be passed on to the Executive Committee for discussion.
More later after the committee meetings on Sunday!
