During a meeting on Sept. 15, the AQHA Executive Committee considered an application for affiliate status from Deutsche Quarter Horse Association (DQHA), which served as the AQHA affiliate in Germany for more than 40 years until its affiliate status was terminated on Feb.15. This separation was driven by the inability to reach agreement with the DQHA board on topics of security and sharing of AQHA data, as well as AQHA’s position as studbook of origin for the American Quarter Horse.

On Aug. 1, during an extraordinary meeting of the DQHA membership, a new board was elected to lead DQHA toward realignment with AQHA. Since that time, DQHA’s new board has entered into a data-share agreement with AQHA to appropriately protect AQHA data, has taken steps to re-align as a daughter studbook of AQHA and has applied for affiliate status with AQHA.

Under the conditional affiliate status granted to DQHA, the organization will have one year to achieve daughter studbook status. Once this status is formally completed, DQHA can apply for full affiliate status.

“We are pleased to be able to take this step toward realignment with an important and long-term partner,” said Craig Huffhines, AQHA executive vice president. “AQHA looks forward to continuing to work with DQHA to best serve our members and enthusiasts in Germany.”

For questions regarding AQHA international affiliates, please contact international@aqha.org.