In 2010 AQHA enacted a new program to help the association stay true to its core values. The Steward program is in its fourth year of operation and most people believe it appears to be a success. According to Ward Stutz, the Director of Animal Welfare and Breed Integrity at AQHA, the amount of incidents are down from previous years. It appears it is becoming the flagship program that AQHA had intended.
Craig Johnson, a 14-time World Champion and NRHA million dollar rider approves of the program. “I like it! It has made things very pleasant. The Stewards aren’t out there just handing out tickets; they are answering questions, checking the footing and being a go between for the show committee and the riders. Just making things better.”
Johnson feels the most challenging part of the program is finding Stewards who know horses and know what they are doing. “Nobody minds being approached by someone who knows what they are talking about,” he says. It has also taken pressure off people at the shows. “Nobody wants to be the one to point out if something is wrong,” Johnson states. “The Steward program has made a huge difference, and is exactly as it should be.”
The program currently has 88 members with 12 in Europe. Stutz explains, “They have to go through a lot of training. They need to know all the rules and bylaws, and be able to enforce them according to AQHA standards.” With only 88 members at this time, there cannot be a Steward at every show.
When deciding which show will benefit from a Steward, Stutz says it is based on the amount of exhibitors and the amount of violations from previous years.
Stutz adds, “More classes will be given this December. Stewards need to meet a high level of knowledge and sign a Code of Ethics. They are taught how to deal with people in stressful situations and enforce the rules fairly.”
Casey Devitt, a Steward and an AQHA Professional Horseman and Judge, has been with the program since its inception. He can be seen doing his job at all the World Shows and Congress. “AQHA and this program are both near and dear to my heart. I think this is a great program and is the first of its kind.”
Devitt takes his job very seriously saying, “Stewards are there not just for the equine athlete but also for the competitor. We want everybody safe!”
Casey describes one aspect of his job as “putting out the spark before it becomes a flame.” He explains that people may come to the show not as prepared as they need to be, or maybe they just get a little too excited. “They just need to be reminded. We aren’t there to get into an argument with anyone and sometimes all it takes is just a friendly conversation. We have to be able to draw the line in the sand in a fair and ethical way.”
Devitt says the best thing anyone can do is know the rules–know what tack is legal and what is not. Read the rulebook and understand it. “If people have a question, they can ask us. We are here to help. Knowing the rules not only helps the Stewards, but it helps the exhibitor.”
Devitt goes on to say that expecting too much of the exhibitor’s horse is another problem that he sees. “Know where to exhibit your horse. Not every horse is a World Champion, but is still a great horse. You have to understand what level your horse is and show at that level.“
Casey Devitt is a huge advocate of animal welfare and believes a healthy horse is a happy horse. “And a happy horse trained with a good foundation will perform!” He explains that there is a class where your horse can excel somewhere within AQHA. He says Stewards should be a welcomed face at shows who is firm but fair.
Exhibitors appear to appreciate the program. Tori Langley, a 25 year-old who has shown most of her life at everything from local shows to large AQHA shows thinks the program is step in the right direction. She says, “The Stewards Program was designed to help monitor show grounds to make sure AQHA’s pledge to maintain the safety of both equine and humans is not compromised along with the fairness of the competition we all love dearly. Having the stewards around seems to provide security and benefits to all exhibitors, as they can provide knowledge in many different areas. While all new programs have flaws and I’m sure all problems are not always resolved, I believe it is a step in the right direction on making sure the welfare of our beloved American Quarter Horses is top priority.”
Michelle Wooley, an owner and breeder also has high praise for the program. “I love it!” she states. Having a program in place that truly puts the welfare of the animal first has caused her to want her horses shown almost exclusively at AQHA events. “I have even seen Stewards going around all the stalls making sure the horses were watered and in good condition. I wish other associations would follow AQHA’s lead with this program.”
Stewards can hand out violations that range from a verbal warning to being asked to leave the show grounds. They must turn in any violations to the grievance committee who makes suggestions that may be either a fine, penalty or both. These are then sent to the Executive Committee to make a final decision.
Ward Stutz adds (pictured left), “The program is making way for better training and animal welfare.” The only apparent problem with the program is, at this time there are not enough stewards to go to every show. Stutz says, “We still don’t have the coverage we would like in the Southwest and West region.”
With the success of this program, there will be soon!
About the Author: Donna Jahnke has been in the horse industry for four decades. With her husband Kent, they run 4J Performance Horses in Danville, Indiana where they stand their two AQHA stallions, Smart Sailing Dun It and Day Work For Cash. To Donna, horses are not a hobby, they are a lifestyle.
