18/ FEBRUARY 2019 THE RIDER INSIDE


AQHA News.....................................18 CQHA News.....................................18 OQHA News ....................................19 EOQHA News ..................................22 Racing News.....................................22 QROOI News ...................................23


AQHA Director’s Report


find what you’re looking for. • Mobile-device friendliness. • Ability to complete more business trans- actions online. • Fresh, modern look. • New content, such as a timed-event sec- tion. • New and better opportunities for corpo- rate partners and advertisers. • Personalization capabilities. • Translated navigation in six languages. To preview the new website before it


is launched, visit www.aqha.com/newweb- site. Each week, we’ll post photos and videos explaining some of the improved features you’ll soon be able to enjoy. The AQHA Customer Care team will


By Kathy Patterson AQHA Director


January/February 2019


A New AQHA Website The American Quarter Horse Asso-


ciation is excited to announce that, coming soon, AQHA members and visitors will enjoy a new website experience, backed by a brand-new AQHA database system. The AQHA website will offer a refreshed and personalized experience, complete with en- hanced features to better meet the needs of the American Quarter Horse community worldwide. Behind the scenes, a new database


system will allow the website to provide more online interaction with members and customers. Online access to information in addition to online transactions will be made simpler with this new technology. The up- dated system will also allow AQHA em- ployees faster and easier access to information, assisting with timely customer support over the phone and more expedient paperwork processing. Internal training on the database system is currently in progress to ensure employees have the proper train- ing, tools and knowledge to best serve members and customers across the globe before the new database and website are launched. For the new website design, AQHA


partnered with experts, including well-cre- dentialed digital experience company Base22. Base22 has guided the AQHA dig- ital team through multiple user- testing ex- ercises and listened to valuable feedback from AQHA members and website visitors to build a custom experience tailored to the AQHA member and fan. The AQHA.com redesign will in-


clude: • Improved search capabilities. • Improved navigation and easier ways to


be standing by to assist people navigating through the website or with any questions. Contact us Monday-Friday at 806-376- 4811 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central if you have questions after the new website is live.


AQHA and ARHA Form Alliance AQHA is proud to have formed an


alliance with the American Roan Horse As- sociation. ARHA is a secondary registry for all


roan-coloured American Quarter


Horses, and this alliance will help recog- nize and highlight these horses and their owners. The purpose of ARHA is to define, promote and enhance the enjoyment of roan-horse ownership by providing a reg- istry and communication venues to facili- tate member participation through showing, breeding and competing.


International levelling Update At the 2018 AQHA Convention, the


show format and procedures subcommittee approved to amend SHW245.1 to add lev- eling for international shows, including Canada, to be calculated at 1/3 of the points utilized for each class and levels as domes- tic shows. The 2018 Executive Committee approved the amendment to the rule based on the projected implementation of the new computer system, which at the time was scheduled to launch this year. Based on the current projection of the new computer sys- tem launch, AQHA does not anticipate im- plementation of this rule for 2019. The rule is approved, but implementation is pending computer programming. AQHA recognizes the importance of levelling the playing field for international exhibitors to provide more opportunities for people to participate in AQHA events.


FEI Terminates Cooperation Agreement On November 19, 2018 the AQHA


was notified that the Federation Equestre Internationale terminated its Cooperation Agreement with AQHA and NRHA due to


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9013 Pigram Road, Brownsville, ON N0L 1C0 Brian Robinson, AQHA PROFESSIONAL HORSEMAN


presents Marnie Somers with her plaque during the CQHA Annual General Meeting held January 19th, 2019 in Cambridge, Ontario.


Calgary, AB — January 21, 2019 — “On the occasion of her ‘semi’ retirement from the board of directors of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association (CQHA), the above plaque was presented to Marnie Somers in recognition of


Dr. Wayne Burwash, President of the CQHA


breach of agreement terms regarding age divisions, reciprocity and stew- ard/drug regulations. As discussed below, AQHA does not feel it has breached the terms of the agreement and welcomes continued dialog with FEI.


To begin, reining became an


FEI discipline in 2000 and was first recognized as a sport in 1949 by AQHA. AQHA is proud of the reining industry and the growth of this US- based sport worldwide. The American Quarter Horse is the ideal horse for reining, and breeders have taken pride year after year in the genetic base of the horses that are bred for and excel in reining. Pursuant to the Cooperation


Agreement, all events specifically or- ganized for horses 7 years of age and older are to be held under the jurisdic- tion of FEI. AQHA does not offer a class that is specifically organized for horses 7 years of age and older. At AQHA events, American Quarter Horses in the open division compete in junior reining (ages 5 and under) or in senior reining (ages 6 and older). With respect to the welfare re-


quirements addressed by the Cooper- ation Agreement, AQHA’s regulations and practices, in particular those asso- ciated with stewards and drug testing, are consistent with and meet such re- quirements. The Association has taken and will continue to take the appropri- ate measures to ensure the safety and welfare of the horses competing at AQHA-approved events. AQHA actively implements


measures to protect American Quarter Horses competing in reining and all disciplines. AQHA began drug testing


The Canadian Quarter Horse Association is an affiliate of the AQHA. Annual membership is


on-line, visit the CQHA web site: www.cqha.ca, and choose


Choose “Affiliates” to link to provincial Quarter Horse & Racing Association sites. Contact: CQHA President,


Wayne Burwash, ph: 403-246-8283, email: president@cqha.ca


in 1973, establishing itself as a leader in welfare among equine breed asso- ciations. The drug-testing program is designed to ensure that horses compet- ing in AQHA-sanctioned competition are doing so in a manner that will pro- mote the safety and well being of all horses competing and ensure the en- forcement of fair and equitable rules and procedures. In each instance that FEI has notified AQHA of a penalty imposed by FEI as a result of a drug violation, AQHA has afforded reci- procity. In addition, the AQHA stewards


program plays an important role in ad- vocating for the horse and helping to safeguard fair competition. Stewards help to ensure that legal tack and hu- mane practices are used and appropri- ate conduct is displayed at AQHA shows and events. AQHA stewards are trained and tested to protect these ath- letes and, most importantly, to protect the breed, advance animal welfare and ensure the integrity of the competition, including reining. Again, AQHA disagrees with


the allegation that AQHA has breached its agreement with FEI and welcomes continued dialog with FEI. As always, AQHA’s commitment to the sport of reining and to upholding the well-being of the American Quar- ter Horse in competition remains a top priority.


Annual Conventions The 2019 AQHA Convention


will be held on March 8 -11, in Fort Worth Texas. The Canadian Quarter Horse


Association 2019 Annual General Meeting took place in conjunction


CQHA presents Marnie Somers with plaque of recognition and appreciation


and great appreciation for her tireless dedication and de- votion to the CQHA; for her unmeasurable contributions and lasting influence on CQHA promotional programs for the American Quarter Horse; and for her superb, uncom- promising leadership of the entire Quarter Horse Industry in Canada since 2001. Marnie was instrumental in reactivating the


CQHA in 2001, being a Charter Member. She served as the President of the CQHA for over a decade then, when she dismounted as president, she took over the reins as secretary, website master, e-news editor, social media guru, membership coordinator and many other tasks, too numerous to mention. Marnie is truly the untiring, trusted, “work horse” of the CQHA. She leaves a big hole in our organization to fill and will be greatly missed.” Wayne Burwash, DVM, CQHA President


with the Ontario Quarter Horse Asso- ciation Annual General Meeting and Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 19th 2019 at the Sunbridge Hotel & Conference Centre in Cambridge On- tario.


At the CQHA meeting President


Dr. Wayne Burwash, presented Marnie Somers with a plaque of recognition and appreciation for her dedication and service to the organi- zation since 2001. Following the general meetings


the Ontario Quarter Horse Association banquet celebrated the accomplish- ments of their members and horses over the past show season. Congratulations to Heidi Nelson


on being crowned the 2019 OQHA Queen!


One of the evening highlights


was honouring Mr. George Laidlaw as the 2018 Inductee to the OQHA Hall of Fame. George is a lifelong member who has dedicated over 50 years breeding, raising, promoting, and sell- ing Quarter Horses at his farm in Chatham, Ontario. Thank you to Sharon Hammer


OQHA Awards Chair and Mary Moore OQHA Banquet Chair for their work and dedication in preparing for this successful event! Congratulations to all


OQHA award winners and Good Luck in 2019!


Till next time if I can be of as-


sistance, please contact me at: Phone: (519) 345-2861, or by e-mail at: tbrkathy@hsfx.ca.


“Membership” section.


free to current members of AQHA. To enroll


the


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