Leading AQHA breeder and exhibitor, Candace Jussen of Pilot Point, Texas,
is spearheading a grass roots movement that is proposing a few thought-provoking rule changes regarding judging and
qualification for the AQHA World Championship Show. How would you vote on these rule changes? Leave your
comments at the bottom of the story.
AQHA members have until December
31 to submit rule-change suggestions in order for them to be considered by the
appropriate AQHA standing committees at the 2011 AQHA Convention. AQHA’s
standing committees will meet March 5-7 in Grapevine, Texas, to consider
submitted items.
Candace Jussen’s proposal to AQHA Board Of Directors for changes
to be considered for 2011…
- Drop number of World Show judges to four
(4).
After consideration, the top horse is no longer
reflected in this system because throwing out the high and low results in an
average, not the best. Hiring one fewer judge will cut expenses for AQHA.
- Invite the first place winners of the
Regional Shows to the World Show.
This will open up the entries to a new group
of people and, encourage more participants to get involved with the Regional
Shows.
- Reconsider the judging system of Halter
to more establish a level playing field for everyone, by implementing the
following:
Appoint an Overseer to be in charge of witnessing
all classes and if there are any out of character or lines that are suspect of
being anything other than that particular judge’s top horses, then Overseer
shall approach judge after class to discuss reasoning for their placings. If it
does not meet with certain criteria of AQHA rules, then that particular judge
shall be asked to leave and not given the privilege of judging any other
classes at that year’s world show. For that particular class, an
alternate judge shall be assigned to fill obligations of judge that was
excused.
This will have no immediate affect on the class
in question but will certainly be an alarm that AQHA will not tolerate poor
and/or inconsiderate approaches to judging the World Show. Judging
along with showing at the World Show is our top honor and should be
treated as such.
Click here for more information on how to submit your proposed rule change to AQHA.
