Yearly Archives: 2011

In late January, the AQHA Executive Committee reviewed a year-to-date comparison of qualifiers to the Ford Youth, the Adequan Select, Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open world shows. As of December 31, 2010, qualifiers were nearly even when compared to the same period the previous year. At this time, the Executive Committee reaffirmed the qualifying points and made no changes.

However, recognizing that fuel prices likely will continue to rise, the Executive Committee left the door open to consider trimming qualifying points for any of the world shows.

Looking at AAA’s national average for gas prices, the Executive Committee agreed that should gasoline prices reach $4 per gallon and/or diesel prices reach $4.35 per gallon and there are still at least 45 days left in a qualifying period, the following formula will be used this year to reduce qualifying points:

• .5 point needed to qualify will remain
• 1 to 4.5 points needed to qualify will be reduced by .5 point
• 5 to 9.5 points needed to qualify will be reduced by 1 point
• 10 and greater needed to qualify will be reduced by 2 points

Should gas prices rise higher than $4 and/or diesel higher than $4.35, the Executive Committee will again look at the formula to make a determination.

“We want to strike the right balance between helping our members and keeping qualifying points at a certain level,” said AQHA President Johannes Orgeldinger. “It is important that AQHA proactively respond to its members while ensuring the integrity of the world shows remains intact. We will continue to monitor how fuel prices are affecting our exhibitors and do what is necessary to help.”

In 2010, the American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee appointed a task force to review and address AQHA’s show initiatives, with an eye toward increasing participation in AQHA-approved events.

The resulting recommendations were to manage the number and types of approved shows in 2011, and develop a leveling program that offers showing opportunities for all rider and horse skill and ability levels – that is tested throughout 2011, with implementation in 2012. AQHA Professional Horsewoman Patti Carter-Pratt was hired as AQHA’s executive director of shows to oversee the development of AQHA's levels initiative. 

Other task forces were appointed to discuss versatility ranch horse, introductory shows, AQHA champions/performance halter, regional championships, English/over fences, halter, ethics, show managers, stock show managers and ranchers.

The regional championships task force met in January to examine the 11 AQHA Regional Championship shows. During the discussion, the question was asked, “What if Regional Championships ultimately became regional novice championships leading to a national championship?”

“The group pondered the question and it seemed to gain traction,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of competition and breed integrity. ”If a showing level above novice could be developed (which is being built as part of the new show “leveling” program being spearheaded by Carter-Pratt), the concept of a championship that recognized novices for their accomplishments then guided them into the next level could have some merit. This is in the very preliminary stages of discussion. We have a lot of due-diligence to do to make sure the concept is sound and viable.”

Persechino added that the topic will likely be discussed at length at the 2011 AQHA Convention, March 4-7 in Grapevine, Texas.

Read the article by Larri Jo Starkey of The American Quarter Horse Journal about the World's Greatest Horseman competition and how it come down to just a half a point separating three horses.

Half a point.

After a long day with four grueling western events, half a point separated the top three exhibitors February 6 in the World’s Greatest Horseman competition in San Angelo, Texas.

Click here to read the entire article

Snow storm after snow storm has caused hazardous conditions all over the United States and GoHorseShow.com has tracked down some amazing winter photos from several horse lovers across the country. Send us your photos so we can post them on our site. Everyone be safe and warm.

GoHorseShow.com asked some horse enthusiasts what they will be doing Super Bowl Sunday. Arlington, Texas--home of the Dallas Cowboys is the host city for this year's game. We like to think that most people who love horses also love football! Vote and let us know where your loyalties lie when it comes to the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A stunning stallion, Huntin For Chocolate, stands 15.3 hands and is a striking gray. He combines a successful show career with a strong popular pedigree. If some mare owners are still undecided as to who they will be breeding their mares to this year, make sure they consider this gorgeous western pleasure stallion.

WCHA Membership:

There are some exciting programs going on at WCHA! The WCHA Breeders Committee and Executive Committee the has put together a Breeders Championship futurity to be held in Des Moines, Iowa on September 22, 23, 24 and 25th in conjunction with the Iowa Breeders futurity. This is an exciting program that WCHA feels will have a positive impact on the Conformation Horse.

Additionally, the Breeders Committee has worked with many stallion owners and has put together a WCHA Stallion Nomination list. WCHA would like to thank the Stallion Owners who so graciously nominated their stallions and money to contribute to the success of this program.

I am including the list of stallions along with the owners, please thank the stallion owners who have nominated or if you are a stallion owner and would like to nominate your stallion please do not hesitate to contact the WCHA office at 405-282-8142 or email [email protected].

If you would like more information on this exciting program go to the WCHA website at www.conformationhorse.com.

Stay warm,

Rebecca Halvorson

2011 WCHA Breeders Futurity

Stallion Nominations

A Legend At Last  Wallace Heck, Jr.

All But Tru  Wade Ellerbroeck, Jr.

BR Eminence  Doug Landon

BRT Limited Edition  Bob Story, DVM

BR Maximus  Jack Brizendine

CK Kid  Terry Bradshaw

Coolest Go Lucky  Reata Ranch

CRS Gold Nugget  Daniel Chicola/Jarrell Jackson

DeRenzo  Terry and Stacy Kull

Dominates Image  Brian Causey

Fearles  Chad Beus

Gangstah  Wallace Heck, Jr.

Grand Slam Touchdown  Susan and Ernie Groeb

Hear The Cheers  Bobbie Atkinson

Hurricane Ivan  Ivan Harder

I Gotta Cool Secret  Huckabee Ranch

Im Te Totally Cool  Gary and Linda Gordon

Ima Tru Skip  Wade Ellerbroeck, Jr.

Image Of Kid  Gary and Linda Gordon

JMK In Reality  James Bramblett

JMK Supernatural  James Kifer

JMK Yella Clone  Russ and Jerrid Nightingale

Kid Clusified  Rick Leek

Kid Coolsified  Steve and Kelli Jensen

Kid Knockout  Reata Ranch

Kid Look  Dick and Debbie Donnelly

Kids Lookin Touchable  Evan Rees

Kids Classic Style  Scheckel Quarter and Paints

Link Design  Scheckel Quarter and Paints

LWR Pure Gold  Jim Bob Long

Mr Ice Te  Joanne Wiese

Mr Fancy Fella  Kenneth Boothe

Mr Yella Fella  Gary and Linda Gordon

Mister GQ  Jay Star Ranch

Mr Dun Promised  Daniel Chicola

Not Kiddin Me  John and Barbara Hoffer

Officially An Allstar  Cameron Brees

PTMA Star Kid  Terry and Phyllis Bewley

Saint Telusive  Jay Star Ranch

Self Employed  Terry Bradshaw

Sierras Tribute  Chad Beus

Smash My Package  James Bramblett

Spanish Link  Cameron Brees

TD Kid  Chad Beus

Te Coolest  Gene Parker

The Exceptional One  Knost/ Snow/Atkinson

The Home Run Kid  Monte Horn and Erin Jeffcoat

The Top Secret  Clark Rassi

Time To Touch  Lots Of Pines Farm

To Yella To Streak  John and Barbara Hoffer

Very Cool  Mark and Sherry Lakenburger

Western Gunslinger  Donnie and Lisa King