From March 16 through March 21, over 1,000 AQHA members converged onto the city of San Antonio, Texas for the 2017 AQHA Convention. The convention kicked off with the general membership meeting on Friday morning, with speakers including AQHA’s out-going President Sandy Arledge and AQHA Hall of Famer, D. Wayne Lukas. Both spoke on their careers and the future of the American Quarter Horse.
Ms. Arledge also spoke on what the Executive Committee has accomplished during her term. She referred to the heightened focus on “AQHA’s position on the care, treatment, training and presentation of our horse” and how AQHA has “taken steps to improve our Association by making significant hires to improve communication and member services.”
Arledge mentioned that one of her goals was to improve and “reinvigorate” the affiliate program, which she believes is vital in the future of leadership and growth in the Association. The out-going President also stressed the importance of youth development and how new AQHA employees will bring new energy into all areas of the Association, and ended her speech with the statement; “Onward and Upward”.
AQHA Hall of Fame member, D. Wayne Lukas also gave a moving speech at the general membership meeting. The hall of famer spoke on how to view life with the horse. He spoke on characteristics of a well-balanced horse and how they look. Lukas also delivered powerful messages to the audience, he said; “Set your sights on something, then put 25 years into it” and “The world belongs to the risk takers, don’t be afraid to lose.”
Following the general membership meeting, AQHA committee members headed to their respective rooms to meet and discuss changes and improvements that each have work on throughout the year. The committees met for hours as the day went on, then concluded just in time for the PAC reception and the Awards Presentation Banquet.
Three distinguished honors were given to:
- Casey Devitt, 2016 Don Burt Professional’s Choice Professional Horseman of the Year
- Christa Baldwin, 2016 Professional’s Choice Professional Horsewoman of the Year
- Bennie Sargent, 2016 Most Valuable Professional
In between committee meetings on Saturday, the AQHA Foundation held a fiesta themed luncheon. The luncheon was hosted by AQHA Past President Frank Merrill (pictured left) who donned a sombrero and margarita on stage. The fiesta held a live and silent auction which raised over $115,000 for the Foundation.
As the day went on and meetings finalized, the stage was set for the 2017 AQHA Hall of Fame Inductions Banquet. The banquet honored the ten hall of fame inductees (five horses/five individuals). The horses that received honors were: Casey’s Ladylove, Dashing Phoebe, Majestic Scotch, Strawfly Special, and Zips Chocolate Chip. The individuals receiving honor were: Marvin Barnes, Peter J. Confrancesco III, Bobby D. Cox, Dick Monahan, and Sandra Vaughn.
The winner of the Merle Wood Humanitarian Award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies an ethic of kindness and benevolence in providing opportunities for young people to be involved with the American Quarter Horse, was Mr. Butch Hammer. The historic night was certainly one to remember.
The conclusion of each convention also means the changing of the guard in the AQHA Executive Committee. Mr. Ralph Seekins of Fairbanks, Alaska took the reins as President of the Association. He is joined by Dr. Jim Heird (First Vice President), Stan Weaver (Second Vice President), Butch Wise (Member), and Norm Luba (Member). The team looks to make improvements to the Association and looks forward to accomplishing goals that will be set out throughout the year.
For more information on the 2017 AQHA Convention, visit aqha.com/convention
