AQHA explains fee changes to exhibitors for 2018

As the largest single-breed equine association in the world, the American Quarter Horse Association strives for excellence as a breed registry and to provide outstanding customer services as an Association.

To deliver the best service to our members and horse lovers around the world, it is necessary for AQHA to review the Association’s budget and make changes to maintain a strong financial position to support the future of our great Association.

Every year, internal staff develops a tentative budget prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, which is approved by the AQHA Executive Committee prior to Oct. 1, and a final budget, which is approved by the Executive Committee at its April meeting, after the AQHA convention. The AQHA treasurer and chief operating officer presents the Association’s audited financial statements every year at convention, and the financial statements are also published on AQHA.com.

When developing and updating the Association’s budget, we evaluate all of AQHA’s programs and focus on the pillars of excellence from our strategic plan, which include animal welfare, customer satisfaction, culture and communication. We also evaluate the multiple business areas that support the pillars: technology, business development, growth of the American Quarter Horse Foundation, youth development and operational efficiency. All of these, plus several other factors come into play when evaluating the budget.

AQHA has supplemented its income for years with investment earnings to keep fees as low as possible for AQHA members. We have arrived at a point where the Association’s fees need to reflect the Association’s services provided to our members, and we must continue to be a financially healthy Association with at least a half of a year to a full year budget in reserves.

With that being said, the Executive Committee reviewed the tentative budget during its September meeting and recently approved multiple fee increases that will go into effect January 1, 2018.

Membership fees are included in the fees that will increase on January 1, 2018. Membership fees support the services and programs that are provided by AQHA. Members receive 10 issues of the members-only America’s Horse, an official AQHA membership ID card, access to AQHA programs and direct access to members-only discounts, provided by Ford, SmartPak, John Deere and more.

Other fees affected are:

  • Registration fees (Members can log-in to Member Services to save $5 by using the online registration form. Submitting the form online will also reduce the processing time for this request.)
  • Genetic testing fees
  • Stallion breeding report fees
  • Certificate fees
  • Embryo transfer enrollment fees
  • Breeding permit fees
  • Lease fees
  • Rush fees
  • Show approval fees

View a list of the increased fees; this list only includes fees that will change as of January 1, 2018, and the show approval fees, which are effective immediately for 2018 shows. All fees can also be found in the 2018 AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations, which will be available soon.

While we know the fee increases will affect our members, like you, I can assure you that we kept the fees as low as possible in order to be cost effective for our members, provide members with the best services available and help our great Association stay financially strong, not only for today, but for years to come.

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