Outside of the American Quarter Horse Association's Heritage Center and Museum.

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), based in Amarillo, Texas, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the American Quarter Horse. The association sanctions many competitive events and maintains the official registry. The organization also houses the Hall of Fame and Museum and sponsors educational programs. The organization was founded in 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas and now has over 300,000 members. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 750 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1500 × 1200 pixel, file size: 445 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Outside of the American Quarter Horse Associations Heritage Center and Museum in Amarillo, Texas. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 750 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1500 × 1200 pixel, file size: 445 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Outside of the American Quarter Horse Associations Heritage Center and Museum in Amarillo, Texas. ... Nickname: Location within the state of Texas Coordinates: , Country United States State Texas County Potter (and Randall) Government  - Mayor Debra McCartt Area  - City  90. ... A palomino Quarter Horse shown at halter. ... Nickname: Motto: Where the West Begins Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: , Country United States State Texas Counties Tarrant and Denton Government  - Mayor Michael J. Moncrief Area  - City  298. ...

History

The American Quarter Horse Association was formed in 1940, at a meeting in March in Fort Worth, Texas. The original idea had come out of the 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 magazine, Denhardt also suggested that those interested in forming a breed registry meet in Forth Worth to discuss the idea and hopefully act on the idea.^[1] About seventy-five people met on March 15, 1940 to talk over 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 in the initial meeting, and a board of directors and officers were selected.^[2]

For the first five years, the AQHA was the only registry for Quarter Horses, however there were controversies over which horses would be registered, as well as how much non-Quarter horse to allow in. Other bones of contention were the fact that the AQHA only allowed stock owners to vote, and some breeders felt that this arrangement kept too much power in too limited hands. Yet another contentious issue was racing, and how the association would support the needs of those 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.^[3]

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 the AQHA's stud books, as well as Thoroughbreds. Even paint horses, which at this time had no registry and wouldn't for another fifteen or twenty years, were registered.^[3] Painted Joe, a foundation stallion with the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), was registered with the AQRA and ran against many of the early Quarter Horse racers.^[4][5] Thoroughbred race horses The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known as a race horse. ...

The folks that felt that the AQHA was too restrictive in it's registration and membership policies formed the National Quarter Horse Breeders Association (NQHBA) in December of 1945. Registration criteria in the NQHBA were much less stringent than the AQHA, but yet were not exclusively focused on racing like the AQRA. For example, Thoroughbred crosses were freely registerable in the NQHBA, and they even registered Thoroughbreds themselves.^[3]

Within the 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 of 1949, the AQHA offered to merge with both the AQRA and the NQHBA. The AQRA voted to merge with the AQHA in September of 1949, and the NQHBA did likewise in November of 1949. The AQHA absorbed both organizations and moved their records to the AQHA's recently established headquarters in Amarillo, Texas.^[3] Nickname: Location within the state of Texas Coordinates: , Country United States State Texas County Potter (and Randall) Government  - Mayor Debra McCartt Area  - City  90. ...

The original genealogy bloodline chart of the Quarter Horse was created by the late Dr. Darrell Sprott of Killeen, Texas and is displayed at the American Quarter Horse Museum and Heritage Center. Killeen is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. ...

Registration

AQHA now registers the offspring of other registered Quarter Horses in its main stud book. However, AQHA does not maintain a completely closed stud book; there is also an "Appendix" section that allows the offspring of a Quarter Horse and a Thoroughbred to be temporarily registered and then "earn" its way into the main stud book by completing an extensive set of performance requirements in either racing or some form of show competition. A breed registry, also known as a stud book 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. ... A closed stud book is a stud book or breed registry that will no longer accept any outside blood for improvement of a particular breed of animal, and the registed animals are the foundation for the breed, with all subsequent offspring tracing back to the foundation stock. ... Thoroughbred race horses The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known as a race horse. ...

Horses produced by means of artificial insemination or embryo transfer may be registered, but cloned horses cannot be registered. Parentage now is verified by means of DNA testing. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Embryo transfer refers to a step in the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) whereby one or several embryos are placed into the uterus of the female with the intent to establish a pregnancy. ... As a word, clone was first coined by J.B.S. Haldane as subject for theoretical replication of a frog, though the term clone is derived from κλων, the Greek word for twig. In horticulture, the spelling clon was used until the twentieth century. ... The structure of part of a DNA double helix Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for the development and function of living organisms. ...

In recent years, registration requirements for the AQHA have significantly changed. In the past, horses with too much white or with 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 is an incomplete form of the cremello dilution gene) and the other was a legitimate a concern about a condition called lethal white syndrome, which was not fully understood at the time. There was also belief that excess white indicated "impure" breeding with non-Quarter Horses. Cremello is a color of horse consisting of a cream-colored body with a cream mane and tail. ... There are currently two theories of equine coat color genetics: Dr. Ann Bowlings and Dr. Phillip Sponenbergs. ... Palomino is a coat color in horses, consisting of a gold coat and white or flaxen mane and tail. ... Lethal white syndrome (LWS) is a common genetic disorder primarily associated with American Paint Horses. ...

Today, modern DNA testing has now made verification of parentage possible, and also permits the detection of certain genetic diseases such as lethal white syndrome. Thus AQHA now allows registration of "high white" body markings typical of the sabino gene and other pinto spotting patterns. Many horses formerly registrable only as {American Paint Horse|"Paints"]] with the 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, cremello and perlino coat colors are also allowed.^[6] The structure of part of a DNA double helix Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for the development and function of living organisms. ... Lethal white syndrome (LWS) is a common genetic disorder primarily associated with American Paint Horses. ... This Clydesdale horse has classic Sabino belly spots, white above its hocks, a chin spot and wide white facial markings. ... Pinto is a horse coloring that consists of large patches of white and another color. ... Cremello is a color of horse consisting of a cream-colored body with a cream mane and tail. ... Perlino is a color in horses created by a dilution gene, also known as the creme gene acting on an underlying Bay coat color. ...

Cross-registration of American Quarter Horses with APHA and the Palomino Horse Breeders of America (PHBA) is often a benefit to horses who have these distinct colors.

Currently, the AQHA is in the process of phasing out registration of horses who carry the dominant genetic disease Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis^[7] (HYPP) and sponsored research that, in 2007, developed a genetic test for HERDA.^[8] In genetics, the term dominant gene refers to the allele that causes a phenotype that is seen in a heterozygous genotype. ... Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), also known as Impressive Syndrome, is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder which affects sodium channels in muscle cells and the ability to regulate potassium levels in the blood of horses. ... Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) aka hyperelastosis cutis (HC) is an inherited autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder. ...

The Showing of America's Horse

Today, people breeding and show Quarter Horses in a variety of competitive events, including western style events such as Western Pleasure, Reining, cutting; english riding events in the hunt seat style, including Hunter Under Saddle, working hunter, and hunter hack. There are also equitation classes for youth riders and various in-hand halter classes. AQHA also awards points to horses competing in rodeo and horse racing. The AQHA assigns points to animals who win or place in horse shows and on the racetrack. The amount 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. A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. ... Western riding is shown in this sculpture, Great Western Tradition, by Doug Israelsen Western riding evolved from the cattle-working and warfare traditions brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors, and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy in the American West. ... Western Pleasure is an equestrian show event that tests a the suitability of the horse for appropriate gait cadence and speed, along with suitable disposition traits. ... Reining is a Western horseback riding competition. ... Cutting is an equestrian event in the western riding style where a horse and rider are judged on their ability to separate a calf away from a cattle herd and keep it away for a short period of time. ... English riding is a term used in the United States to describe a form of horseback riding that is seen throughout the world. ... Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refers to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American horse shows. ... English pleasure is a class seen at horse shows, ridden in either hunt seat or, more often seen in the United States, saddle seat tack. ... The show hunter is a type of show horse that is judged on its movement, manners, and way of going. ... A riders equitation is her/his ability to ride correctly with a strong, supple position and effective aids. ... A horse being shown at halter Halter is a term used to describe a type of horse show class where horses are shown in hand, meaning that they are led, not ridden, and are judged on their conformation and suitability as breeding stock. ... It has been suggested that History of rodeo be merged into this article or section. ... Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ...

The annual AQHA World Show, the largest AQHA-sponsored event, is held in November of each year.

The AQHA also recognizes horses that compete outside of AQHA sanctioned shows. Some awards go to horses that compete in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) timed rodeo 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.^[9] The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is a rodeo organization who members compete in rodeos around the United States. ... It has been suggested that History of rodeo be merged into this article or section. ... The National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) was incorporated in 1961 to promote interest in rodeo sports among high school students, to provide training, and to establish venues for their performances. ... The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) was established in 1949. ...

Awards

Currently the AQHA recognizes achievement by Quarter Horses and their owners with a number of awards. Some are annual, some are based on lifetime achievement.

Racetrack

On the racetrack, the 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.^[10] 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 $500,000.00 in earnings, 2) win two Grade 1 stakes races and 3) win a total of ten races.^[11]

Show Ring

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.^[9] 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.^[9]

Riding

Lastly, the AQHA offers a Horseback Riding Program, which rewards AQHA members for riding Quarter Horses. Riders log their hours spent riding, and receive recognition awards and prizes.^[12]

See also

• American Quarter Horse
• American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame

A palomino Quarter Horse shown at halter. ... The American Quarter Horse Association has created a Hall of Fame to honor both people and horses who contributed to the growth of the American Quarter Horse. ...

Notes

References

• AQHA Awards & Rewards accessed on July 6, 2007
• AQHA Equine Research by Year accessed on July 9, 2007
• AQHA HYPP Information accessed on July 9, 2007
• AQHA Horseback Riding Program accessed on July 6, 2007
• AQHA Official Handbook of Rules & Regulations 2007 edition
• AQHA Race Awards accessed on July 6, 2007
• AQHA White Rule Changes 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 ISBN 0-911647-26-0
• Haynes, Glynn W. The American Paint Horse Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press 1976 ISBN 0-8061-2144-0
• Oelke, Hardy The Paint Horse: An American Treasure Germany 1992 ISBN 3-89118-075-6
• Price, Steven D. The American Quarter Horse" An Introduction to Selection, Care, and Enjoyment Lyons Press 1999 ISBN 1-55821-643-X

External links

• AQHA official site
• Cremello & Perlino Educational Association: AQHA policies