There were many hello’s and goodbye’s in 2011.
Many changes were made in 2011 that will affect how you show your American Quarter Horse in 2012. Be informed before you head off to your next AQHA show, plus celebrate the triumphs and mourn the passings from 2011:
- Patti Carter-Pratt: AQHA hired AQHA Professional Horseman Patti Carter-Pratt of St. George, Ontario, as AQHA executive director of shows. This appointment is another component of the AQHA Blue-Ribbon Task Force’s efforts to review and address AQHA’s show initiatives, with an eye toward increasing participation in AQHA events.
- Leveling: AQHA began developing a leveling program to offer a broader variety of exhibitor skill-level classes. The show leveling program includes more and different levels, including new Rookie and Intermediate showing levels.
- Rookie Classes: AQHA introduced a trial run of Rookie classes created by the AQHA Blue-Ribbon Task Force to make the transition from 4-H, open showing or no show experience at all less intimidating and more comfortable for exhibitors. Classes to reach AQHA members of all ages and riding levels were tested at several shows.
- Novice Championship Shows: An exciting component in the leveling program is the addition of the AQHA Novice Championship Show Weekend. Novice competitors will have their choice between two show locations on the weekend of October 5-7, 2012. The AQHA Western Novice Championship Show will be at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and the AQHA Eastern Novice Championship Show will be at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
- Passing of the Reins: Johannes Orgeldinger handed the president’s reins to Peter J. Cofrancesco III, who was elected AQHA president at the 2011 AQHA Convention in Grapevine, Texas. Peter is the first person to serve as president of both the American Quarter Horse Youth Association and AQHA, while Johannes was the first international member to serve as AQHA’s president.
- American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame: First Down Dash, Mr San Peppy, Skipper W, Streakin Six, Doug and Nancy Dear, Frank Howell and Joe Kirk Fulton were inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame at the 2011 AQHA Convention.
- Pfizer AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championship Show: The 2011 Pfizer AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championship Show was moved from January in Denver to March in Houston, during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
- More Versatility Ranch Horse: The amateur Pfizer Versatility World champion was Chica Shine and Holly Major of Fowler, Colorado; the open Pfizer Versatility World champion was Lil Ruf Catalyst and Mozaun McKibben of Whitesboro, Texas.
- EHV-1: The equine herpesvirus-1 outbreak began with horses that attended the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championship in Ogden, Utah, in late April 2011. The outbreak resulted in the cancellation of a number of major equine competition and recreational events.
- Equine Piroplasmosis Rule:Though equine piroplasmosis outbreaks from 2009 were under control, in 2011, Texas health officials were concerned about the spread of the disease at racetracks and large shows. Beginning July 1, 2011, all horses entering the grounds for any AQHA world championship show were required to present a negative certificate for equine piroplasmosis.
- Horse Welfare Study: In June, the Government Accountability Office issued a report on horse welfare and the unintended consequences after slaughter stopped in the United States in 2007. The 62-page report underscored that the welfare of countless horses in the United States has been compromised since domestic slaughter was outlawed.
- Intermediate World Show Awards: At the 2011 Built Ford Tough AQHYA, Adequan Select, Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open world championship shows, AQHA recognized the top three Intermediate exhibitors in each youth, amateur, Select and open class.
- Battle in the Saddle: Battle in the Saddle saw former American Junior Quarter Horse Association officer Phil Rapp score a 229 in cutting to win the open division of the Mercuria/NCHA World Series of Cutting. Battle in the Saddle also highlighted the Ranch Remuda Challenge won by Chance O’Neal on Royalty Return representing the Four Sixes Ranch.
- AQHYA President: Abigail Pait of Sparta, New Jersey, was elected president of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association.
- Hall of Fame Inductees: The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductees for 2012 were announced and include Bob Loomis, Gordon Hannagan, Past President Walter Fletcher and horses Streakin La Jolla, Indigo Illusion and Hollywood Dun It.
- AQHA Ranching Council: The AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders, the AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge and the AQHA Young Horse Development Project were launched. AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder is a designation for a ranch that is an AQHA member and produces American Quarter Horses for a remuda that is used to work cattle on the ranch.
- For the Record: First-, second- and third-place finishers in AQHA-approved classes at affiliate-owned shows (single or combined circuits) that have at least 7,500 entries, such as the All American Quarter Horse Congress, will soon have that accomplishment added to their horse’s record.
- Cowboy Mounted Shooting: The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association held its world championships in Amarillo, and participants who were not AQHA members but wanted to compete in AQHA-sanctioned classes, could join on the spot, as well as get their non-transferred papers in order.
- Adequan Select All-Around: Anne Wilson of Dallas and Visible Investment (Investment Asset-Visibly Royal by Sonny Go Royal) won the 2011 Adequan Select All-Around Amateur title.
- Farnam All-Around Amateur: Lauren Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania, and Its My Lucky Detail (Last Detail-Run To Seattle (TB) by Seattle Song) captured the 2011 Farnam All-Around Amateur title.
- Farnam Superhorse: Chex This Dually (Please Send Money-Docs Fashion Model by Docs King Chex) and AQHA Professional Horseman J.D. Yates of Pueblo, Colorado, captured the title of 2011 Farnam Superhorse.
- Good Numbers: The 2011 AQHA World Championship Show featured a 7 percent increase in entries and more than $2.7 million in prize money and awards.
- Goodbyes were made to some industry legends such as Jimmie Randals, Past President Bill Reed, Honorary Vice Presidents C.T. Tom Fuller and Ken Pautzke, Ted Wells Jr., Johnny Lake and some great horses such as Dash For Perks, Im Shy But Deluxe, A Good Machine, Tailor Fit, Barpassers Image, Dash Ta Fame, JST Topsail Skip, Show Diva and Genuine Doc – to name a few.
