The American Quarter Horse Association Executive Committee met April 8 via conference call to review the rule-change recommendations from seven AQHA standing committees. Recommendations from the amateur, judges, ranching and show committees will be presented to the Executive Committee on April 16. Rule changes related to bylaw changes and rules of registration will not be considered until the 2021 AQHA Convention.

Careful consideration, discussion and debate were devoted to each item. Below are the highlights of approved agenda items from the 2020 standing committee reports. 

Read the full committee reports, which the Executive Committee has taken action on at www.aqha.com/committee-reports. Approved agenda items for the amateur, judges, ranching and show committees will be available once finalized.

All rules are effective January 1, 2021, unless noted otherwise.

AQHA Equine Research Committee
The Executive Committee approved the recommendations of the Equine Research Committee regarding funding $261,406 for the following research projects:

• “Diagnosis of Type 2 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy in Quarter Horses” at Michigan State University.
• “Efficacy of Xenogen-free MSCs in Equine Joint Disease” at Texas A&M University.
• “Quantification of Arginine Synthesis in the Equine Enterocyte: A Novel Approach in the Horse” at Texas A&M University.
• “Understanding the Role of MHCI Compatibility in Equine Allogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cells” at Texas A&M University.
• “Effects of Graded Levels of Protein Intake on mTOR Signaling and Muscle Protein Fractional Synthesis Rates in Horses” at the University of Kentucky.
• “Epidemic Strains of Equine Influenza Virus: Cross-reactivity with Vaccine” at the University of Kentucky.
• “A Novel Percutaneous Surgical Technique for Tenotomy of the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon in Horses” at the University of Wisconsin.

2020-21 AQHA Research Committee Chairman: Dr. Jason Bruemmer

AQHA International Committee
The Executive Committee approved:

• The International Showing Welfare Task Force proposal.
• The International World Shows Participation Task Force proposal.
• The formation of a task force to review how countries are assigned to international membership regions.

2020-21 AQHA International Committee Chairman: Jose Ignacio “Nacho” de Mendiguren

AQHA Marketing and Membership Committee
The Executive Committee approved the request to extend the current task force examining a rewards program for AQHA members doing a certain volume of business for one year.

2020-21 AQHA Marketing and Membership Committee Chairman: Marc Ristow

AQHA Public Policy Committee
The Executive Committee approved:

• To appoint working groups to review each section of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s policy book to identify the policies that affect AQHA and determine if such policies could be supported by AQHA. Will report findings to be reviewed by the Public Policy Committee and AQHA Executive Committee.
• To appoint new Political Action Committee trustees.

2020-21 AQHA Public Policy Committee Chairman: Dr. Calvin White

AQHA Racing Committee
The Executive Committee approved:

• The appointment of individuals selected for the 2020 Champions Selection Committee.
• The rule change submission regarding AQHA Rule RAC313.3 and thereby recognize American Chariot Racing Inc. as the entity to govern cutter and chariot racing.

2020-21 AQHA Racing Committee Chairman: Mark Brown

AQHA Recreational Activities Committee
The committee will focus efforts on revitalizing the AQHA Horseback Riding Program.

2020-21 AQHA Recreational Activities Committee Chairman: Bill Horton

AQHA Youth Activities Committee
The Executive Committee approved to:

• Clarify Young Horse Development program age requirements, such that participants must be no younger than 13 years old as of January 1 of the program year and must remain AQHYA members in good standing throughout the duration of the program.
• Update the Youth World Show hardship process with a simpler application; continue to require the approval of the member’s affiliate of residence and their requested affiliate; rename the process AQHYA World Championship Show Change Affiliation. (Approved March 19)
• Establish a Youth Development Sub-Council to liaise between the Youth Activities Committee and Foundation Council to support youth development through the American Quarter Horse Foundation.
• Announce only the slate of eligible officer candidates after the completion of director elections and all officers and directors after the completion of officer elections at the Youth Excellence Seminar.

2020-21 AQHA Youth Activities Committee Chairwoman: Abigail Pait NeSmith

AQHA Studbook and Registration Committee
2020-21 Studbook and Registration Committee Chairman: Ross Roark

AQHA Nominations and Credentials Committee
2020-21 Nominations and Credentials Committee Chairwoman: Georgianna Renouard

According to AQHA bylaws, only the AQHA Board of Directors can pass registration and bylaw rules in person at an AQHA convention. Therefore, agenda items for the Studbook and Registration and Nominations and Credentials Committees must wait until the 2021 AQHA Convention. AQHA will notify individuals who submitted agenda items for these two committees that the items will carry over to next year’s convention, unless the Association is notified otherwise by the individual who originally submitted the agenda item.

About the Cancellation of the 2020 AQHA Convention
The AQHA Executive Committee and AQHA leadership were faced with a difficult decision but, at the end of the day, it came down to the consideration of the health, safety and wellness of our members worldwide, board of directors and staff. This was the first time in the Association’s 80-year history that convention has been cancelled. Due to the uncertainty of the current COVID-19 pandemic witnessed around the globe, the AQHA Executive Committee opted not to reschedule the 2020 AQHA Convention, but to instead cancel the event until the 2021 AQHA Convention, which is scheduled for Feb. 25 to March 1 in San Antonio.