The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), based in

Amarillo, Texas Amarillo ( ; Spanish for " yellow") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Potter County. It is the 14th-most populous city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. A portion of the city extends into Randall Cou ...

, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the

American Quarter Horse The American Quarter Horse, or Quarter Horse, is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name is derived from its ability to outrun other horse breeds in races of a quarter mile or less; some have been clocked at ...

. The association sanctions many competitive events and maintains the official registry. The organization also houses the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum and sponsors educational programs. The organization was founded in 1940 in

Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is the List of cities in Texas by population, fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Texas and the List of United States cities by population, 13th-largest city in the United States. It is the county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, T ...

, and now has nearly 234,627 members, over 32,000 of whom are international.

History

The American Quarter Horse Association was born at a meeting on March 15, 1940, in

Fort Worth Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Texas and the 13th-largest city in the United States. It is the county seat of Tarrant County, covering nearly into four other counties: Denton, Johnson, Parker, and Wise. Accord ...

, Texas. The original idea had come from articles published by Robert M. Denhardt during the 1930s about the history and characteristics of the quarter horse. In an article entitled "The Quarter Horse, Then and Now" in a 1939 ''

Western Horseman ''Western Horseman'', a monthly magazine published by the magazine division of Morris Communications, was first published in January 1936. It features articles on Western riding, the breeding and care of horses, horse training and tack, and ranchin ...

'' magazine, Denhardt also suggested that those interested in forming a breed registry meet in Fort Worth to discuss the idea and hopefully act on the idea.Price ''The American Quarter Horse'' p. 14-16 About seventy-five people met in Fort Worth to discuss the proposals, with the eventual decision being to form a non-profit stock holding association in Texas to be the registry. Thirty-six people bought stock at the initial meeting. A board of directors and officers were selected.Denhardt "Organization of the American Quarter Horse Association" in ''Foundation Sires of the American Quarter Horse'' p. 5-36 For the first five years, AQHA was the only registry for American Quarter Horses, however there were controversies over which horses would be registered, as well as how much non-Quarter horse to allow in. Other disputes included the fact that AQHA only allowed stock owners to vote, and some breeders felt that this arrangement kept too much power in too few hands. Another contentious issue was racing, and how the association would support the needs of breeders and owners who raced their Quarter Horses. All three of these issues were woven together, for the racing interests were also desirous of more Thoroughbred blood being added to the Quarter Horse, and some racing breeders felt that the AQHA was too restrictive on what outside blood was allowed in.Goodhue "A History of Early AQHA Registration" in ''Legends'' p. 4-10 The racing interests formed the American Quarter Racing Association (AQRA) on February 1, 1945. This group mainly was concerned with the operation of racetracks and their registration efforts were limited to what was needed for identification for racing purposes. They set the standards for racing, and set up a Register of Merit system to help with handicapping racing. They registered horses that were in AQHA's stud books, as well as

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are ...

s. Even "Paint" horses, which at this time had no registry and would not for another two decades, were registered. Painted Joe, a foundation stallion with the

American Paint Horse Association The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) is a breed registry for the American Paint Horse. It is currently headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

(APHA), was registered with the AQRA and ran against many of the early Quarter Horse racers.Oelke ''The Paint Horse'' p. 101Haynes ''The American Paint Horse'' p. 175 Individuals who believed AQHA was too restrictive in its registration and membership policies formed the National Quarter Horse Breeders Association (NQHBA) in December 1945. Registration criteria in the NQHBA were much less stringent than AQHA, but yet were not exclusively focused on racing like AQRA. For example, Thoroughbred crosses were freely registrable in NQHBA, and they even registered Thoroughbreds. Within AQHA, there was a recognition that three organizations were sapping the strengths of the Quarter Horse breeders and owners, and within all three organizations there were efforts to merge. In July 1949, AQHA offered to merge with both AQRA and NQHBA. The AQRA voted to merge with AQHA in September 1949, and the NQHBA did likewise in November 1949. AQHA absorbed both organizations and moved their records to AQHA's recently established headquarters off

Interstate 40 Interstate 40 (I-40) is a major east–west Interstate Highway running through the south-central portion of the United States. At a length of , it is the third-longest Interstate Highway in the country, after I-90 and I-80. From west to ea ...

in Amarillo. According to an article in the Amarillo Globe Times, the AQHA was based in College Station, Eagle Pass and Fort Worth before moving to Amarillo (home of the secretary Raymond D. Hollingsworth) in 1947, where they rented space at 1405 B W. 10th Avenue. Their first owned building was constructed in 1952 at 2736 W. 10th Avenue where they remained until construction of the Hall of Fame off

in 1989.

Registration

AQHA now registers the offspring of other American Quarter Horses in its numbered

stud book A breed registry, also known as a herdbook, studbook or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders ...

. However, AQHA does not maintain a completely

closed stud book A breed registry, also known as a herdbook, studbook or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeder ...

; there is also an "Appendix" section. An "Appendix" American Quarter Horse is a first generation cross between a registered Thoroughbred and an American Quarter Horse or a cross between a "numbered" American Quarter Horse and an "appendix" American Quarter Horse. Horses in the "appendix" registry can "earn" their way into the main stud book by completing an extensive set of performance requirements in either racing or some form of show competition and receiving what the Association refers to as a Register of Merit (ROM). Currently there are over 2,800,000 Quarter Horse registrations, 430,000 of which are international. Horses produced by means of

artificial insemination Artificial insemination is the deliberate introduction of sperm into a female's cervix or uterine cavity for the purpose of achieving a pregnancy through in vivo fertilization by means other than sexual intercourse. It is a fertility treatment ...

embryo transfer Embryo transfer refers to a step in the process of assisted reproduction in which embryos are placed into the uterus of a female with the intent to establish a pregnancy. This technique (which is often used in connection with in vitro fertilizati ...

may be registered, but

cloned Cloning is the process of producing individual organisms with identical or virtually identical DNA, either by natural or artificial means. In nature, some organisms produce clones through asexual reproduction. In the field of biotechnology, ...

horses cannot be registered. Parentage now is verified by means of DNA testing. In recent years, registration requirements for AQHA have significantly changed. In the past, horses with too much white or with

cremello The cream gene is responsible for a number of horse coat colors. Horses that have the cream gene in addition to a base coat color that is chestnut will become palomino if they are heterozygous, having one copy of the cream gene, or cremello, ...

traits were not eligible for registration. One reason was lack of a full understanding of equine coat color genetics (For example, people did not know that

Palomino Palomino is a genetic color in horses, consisting of a gold coat and white mane and tail; the degree of whiteness can vary from bright white to yellow. Genetically, the palomino color is created by a single allele of a dilution gene called t ...

is an incomplete form of the cremello dilution gene) and the other was a legitimate a concern about a condition called

lethal white syndrome Lethal white syndrome (LWS), also called overo lethal white syndrome (OLWS), lethal white overo (LWO), and overo lethal white foal syndrome (OLWFS), is an autosomal genetic disorder most prevalent in the American Paint Horse. Affected foals are bo ...

, which was not fully understood at the time. There was also belief that excess white indicated "impure" breeding with non-Quarter Horses. Today, modern DNA testing has now made verification of parentage possible, and also permits the detection of certain genetic diseases such as

. Thus AQHA now allows registration of "high white" body markings typical of the sabino gene and other

pinto Pinto is a Portuguese, Spanish, Jewish (Sephardic), and Italian surname. It is a high-frequency surname in all Portuguese-speaking countries and is also widely present in Spanish-speaking countries, Italy, India especially in Mangalore, Karnatak ...

spotting patterns. Many horses formerly registrable only as

American Paint Horse The American Paint Horse is a breed of horse that combines both the conformational characteristics of a western stock horse with a pinto spotting pattern of white and dark coat colors. Developed from a base of spotted horses with Quarter Hors ...

s with APHA are now cross-registered with both registries. Because the genetic mechanism that creates palomino is also understood and has been found to have no connection to lethal white,

and

perlino The cream gene is responsible for a number of horse coat colors. Horses that have the cream gene in addition to a base coat color that is chestnut will become palomino if they are heterozygous, having one copy of the cream gene, or cremello, if ...

coat colors are also allowed. Cross-registration of American Quarter Horses with APHA, the Palomino Horse Breeders of America (PHBA), and the

American Buckskin Registry Association American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the " United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

(ABRA), is often a benefit to horses who have these distinct colors. Currently, AQHA is in the process of phasing out registration of horses who carry the dominant genetic disease

hyperkalemic periodic paralysis Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP, HyperKPP) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder that affects sodium channels in muscle cells and the ability to regulate potassium levels in the blood. It is characterized by muscle hyperexcitability ...

(HYPP) and sponsored research that, in 2007, developed a genetic test for HERDA.

Competition and awards

Currently AQHA recognizes achievement by American Quarter Horses and their owners with a number of awards. Some are annual, some are based on lifetime achievement. AQHA awards points to horses competing in

horse show A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer ...

rodeo Rodeo () is a competitive equestrian sport that arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain and Mexico, expanding throughout the Americas and to other nations. It was originally based on the skills required of the working vaq ...

and

horse racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

. AQHA assigns points to animals who win or place in horse shows and on the racetrack. The number of points given depends in part on placing and on how many other horses were in the class or race. Accumulated points result in annual awards to the top competitors and certain lifetime achievement recognitions for both horse and rider.

AQHA affiliates

State affiliates

* Alabama Quarter Horse Association * Alaska State Quarter Horse Association * Arizona Quarter Horse Association * Arkansas Quarter Horse Association * Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association (California) * Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association (Colorado) * Connecticut Quarter Horse Association * Delaware Quarter Horse Association * Florida Quarter Horse Association * Georgia Quarter Horse Association * Hawaii Quarter Horse Association * Illinois Quarter Horse Association * Indiana Quarter Horse Association * Iowa Quarter Horse Association * Kansas Quarter Horse Association * Kentucky Quarter Horse Association * Louisiana Quarter Horse Association * Maine Quarter Horse Association * Maryland State Quarter Horse Association * Massachusetts Quarter Horse Association * Michigan Quarter Horse Association * Minnesota Quarter Horse Association * Mississippi Quarter Horse Association * Missouri Quarter Horse Association * Montana Quarter Horse Association * Nebraska Quarter Horse Association * Nevada Quarter Horse Association * New Hampshire Quarter Horse Association * New Jersey Quarter Horse Association * New Mexico Horse Breeders Association * New Mexico Quarter Horse Association * Empire State Quarter Horse Association (New York) * North Carolina Quarter Horse Association * North Dakota Quarter Horse Association * Ohio Quarter Horse Association * Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association * Oregon Quarter Horse Association * Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association * South Carolina Quarter Horse Association * South Dakota Quarter Horse Association * Tennessee Quarter Horse Association * Texas Quarter Horse Association * Utah Quarter Horse Association * Vermont Quarter Horse Association * Virginia Quarter Horse Association * Washington State Quarter Horse Association * West Virginia Quarter Horse Association * Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association * Wyoming Quarter Horse Association

Provincial affiliates

* Quarter Horse Association of Alberta * British Columbia Quarter Horse Association * Manitoba Quarter Horse Association * Maritime Quarter Horse Association * Ontario Quarter Horse Association * Quebec Quarter Horse Association * Saskatchewan Quarter Horse Association * Canadian Quarter Horse Association

Horse shows and rodeos

Today, people show American Quarter Horses in a variety of competitive events, including, but not limited to,

halter A halter or headcollar is headgear that is used to lead or tie up livestock and, occasionally, other animals; it fits behind the ears (behind the poll), and around the muzzle. To handle the animal, usually a lead rope is attached. On smalle ...

classes;

western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

style events such as

Western Pleasure Western pleasure is a western style competition at horse shows that evaluates horses on manners and suitability of the horse for a relaxed and slow but collected gait cadence, along with calm and responsive disposition. The horse is to appear to ...

Reining Reining is a western riding competition for horses where the riders guide the horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops. All work is done at the lope (a version of the horse gait more commonly known worldwide as the canter), ...

, and

cutting Cutting is the separation or opening of a physical object, into two or more portions, through the application of an acutely directed force. Implements commonly used for wikt:cut, cutting are the knife and saw, or in medicine and science the scal ...

;

English riding English riding is a form of horse riding seen throughout the world. There are many variations, but all feature a flat English saddle without the deep seat, high cantle or saddle horn that are part of a Western saddle nor the knee pads seen on an ...

events in the

hunt seat Hunt seat is a style of forward seat riding commonly found in North American horse shows. Along with dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting. Hunt seat competition ...

style, such as Hunter Under Saddle, working hunter, and

hunter hack Hunter hack is a type of English pleasure class where exhibitors in Hunt seat tack and attire perform on the flat at a walk, trot, canter and hand gallop, and then jump two low fences. The desired horse in this competition is to resemble a quiet, w ...

Driving Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and bicycles. Permission to drive on public highways is granted based on a set of conditions being met and drivers are required to ...

classes are available at some shows, as are some timed

games A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or games) or art (suc ...

. There are also

equitation Equitation is the art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship. More specifically, equitation may refer to a rider's position while mounted, and encompasses a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids. In horse show competit ...

and halter showmanship classes for non-pro exhibitors. The annual AQHA World Show, the largest AQHA-sponsored event, is held in November of each year in Oklahoma City. In the show ring, the AQHA awards a number of year end awards, including Rookie of the Year (awarded at the state, regional, and national level); Year End Top-Ten awards in for the Open Junior Horse, Open Senior Horse, Youth and Amateur divisions; Year End High Point awards in the same divisions; Year End High point all around and reserve all around in the same divisions, and a few miscellaneous awards to novice and limited riders. As lifetime awards, the AQHA awards Register of Merits in Performance and Halter, AQHA Champion, AQHA Performance Champion, AQHA Versatility Champion, Superior Event Horse, Supreme Championships in the three showing divisions (Youth, Open, Amateur), and a Supreme Performance Champion.

Year end awards

Requirements can change, these are the current requirements as of January 2010.

Lifetime awards

Requirements can change, these are the current requirements as of January 2010. AQHA also recognizes horses that compete outside of AQHA sanctioned shows. Some awards go to horses that compete in the

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is the largest rodeo organization in the world. It sanctions events in the United States and Canada, with members from said countries, as well as others. Its championship event is the National ...

(PRCA) timed

events, others go to horses competing in the United States Team Penning Association, National Cutting Horse Association, or the National High School Rodeo or

National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), based in Walla Walla, Washington, was established in 1949. The NIRA sanctions more than 100 college rodeo Rodeo () is a competitive equestrian sport that arose out of the working practice ...

.AQHA Awards & Rewards
accessed on July 6, 2007

Racing

On the racetrack, AQHA offers year-end champion awards in age and sex divisions, plus broodmare, distance horse, Canadian champion, owner, breeder, trainer, and jockey. Thus there is a champion two-year-old colt, filly and gelding plus champion two-year-old from the preceding. The three-year-old and aged categories work the same way, with the World Champion being chosen from the winners of the age and sex divisions.AQHA Race Awards
accessed on July 6, 2007 In addition to the year end awards, there are three lifetime awards - Race Register of Merit, Superior Race Horse and Supreme Race Horse. A Register of Merit is awarded when a horse attains a speed index of 80 or above. A Superior Race Horse is achieved when the horse earns 200 racing points. A Supreme Race Horse award requires the horse to satisfy the following three criteria: (1) win over $500,000 in earnings, (2) win two Grade 1 stakes races and (3) win a total of ten races.AQHA ''Official Handbook of Rules & Regulations'' 2007 edition In 1993, AQHA launched Quarter Horse

racing In sport, racing is a competition of speed, in which competitors try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time. Typically this involves traversing some distance, but it can be any other task involving speed to reach a specific go ...

's first series of races with a championship-ending day, called The Bank of America Racing Challenge. It is a series of 60 races run throughout North and South America with the winners of each race earning a starting berth into a season-ending Championship Day. The Bank of America Racing Challenge currently offers nearly $6 million in purse and bonus awards.

Pleasure riding

AQHA also offers a Horseback Riding Program, which rewards AQHA members for

pleasure riding Pleasure riding is a form of equestrianism that encompasses many forms of recreational riding for personal enjoyment, absent elements of competition. In horse show competition, a wide variety of classes are labeled pleasure classes with judging st ...

of American Quarter Horses. Riders log their hours spent riding, and receive recognition awards and prizes. From January to December 31. The horse must be registered with the AQHA and his number an registration name will be needed to peripatetic. Also for leisure riders, AQHA sanctions a series of some 100 trail rides open to all breeds of horses at locations around the world, in locations on both public lands and on private lands not normally open to the public. There are also AQHA trail rides hosted in various locations. The meet up schedule can be found on the AQHA website under trail riding.

Notes

References

AQHA Awards & Rewards
accessed on July 6, 2007

accessed on July 9, 2007

accessed on July 9, 2007

accessed on July 6, 2007 * AQHA ''Official Handbook of Rules & Regulations'' 2007 edition
AQHA Race Awards
accessed on July 6, 2007

accessed on July 9, 2007 * Denhardt, Robert M. "Organization of the American Quarter Horse Association" in ''Foundation Sires of the American Quarter Horse'' Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press 1976 * Goodhue, Jim "A History of Early AQHA Registration" in ''Legends: Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions and Mares'' by Diane C. Simmons Colorado Springs, Colorado: Western Horseman 1993 * Haynes, Glynn W. ''The American Paint Horse'' Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press 1976 * Oelke, Hardy ''The Paint Horse: An American Treasure'' Germany 1992 * Price, Steven D. ''The American Quarter Horse" An Introduction to Selection, Care, and Enjoyment'' Lyons Press 1999

External links

*

{{Authority control Organizations based in Amarillo, Texas Sports organizations established in 1940 Horse breed registries Equestrian organizations American Quarter Horses 1940 establishments in Texas