AQHA English Special Event Update - It Passed !!

[Plumcreek]

The English Special Event has been approved by the AQHA Executive Committee !! ***** Add SHW108.3.5 to read as follows: [A maximum of two class types will be allowed per event] except for English Special Events which, for a trial period of three years, will be allowed to include English classes from Categories IV, V and VII. English special events will not be limited in number of events allowed per year during the trial period, but must have approval of affiliate and meet all other show approval requirements. Success at the end of the trial period to be measured by an increase or stabilization in the number of entries in all the English classes. Executive Committee: Approved, will be subject to annual review by Executive Committee . ****** This means that a full slate of English flat and over fences classes can be added to local Hunter-Jumper shows, or held as a stand alone English Special Event. . They can be held as separate classes, or combined with suitable fence height classes and judged combined (judge marks two cards). AQHA Special Event requirements are: Affiliate Approval, application lead time, the mileage rule, and hiring a H-J experienced AQHA judge or AQHA Specialty Over Fences judge, many who also hold USEF cards. (If you have thought about applying for this card, please do so, there will be a lot more judging opportunities next year). These English Special Events can begin in year 2020.

Now the real work begins. AQHA has done their part to help the “real” English-type horses but will not put these English Special Events on for us. Everyone who wants to see this succeed needs to join this grass roots effort, whether you want to show in these classes, sell horses for these classes, or manage a Special Event show at your facility, you will need to do your part.

Something you can do right now is talk to your local H-J show managers to see if they are interested in giving this a try. . In the near future, we who worked on this will post more info here on exactly how to hold an AQHA English Special Event. An info-sign up flyer is posted below that you can download and print for show managers to post. Considerable work will be involved, and show managers need to know if there are enough Quarter Horses at H-J shows in their area to offer an English Special Event.

Thank you all so much, and ESPECIALLY those who wrote letters or emails in support of this proposal at the AQHA Convention. Those letters were in the process all the way to the Exec Committee.

AQHA flyer to post at shows sm.pdf (98.9 KB)

[sandsarita]

Yeah!!! A lady I am showing with next weekend is very for this and has already started reaching out. I’ll make sure she knows and I will forward this on to our new state hja president who also does a lot of work nationally.

[Dewey]

OK, let me know if I’m understanding this correctly. If an USHJA show circuit agrees to do this, they could run either separate AQHA classes at their regular USHJA show, or (if they have only a few riders on AQHA horses) they could award AQHA points to those riders in the regular classes who qualify.

Is that correct?

[sandsarita]

I believe they can be run concurrently or separately, but they have to have a separate entry into the class and have a judge that is also able to judge AQHA shows, then points are awarded as normal. I am going to forward this onto a couple of people in our state, as we have lost SOOO many aqha hunters shows around here, and we have at least 3 or 4 in state judges that can do both USEF and AQHA.

[Plumcreek]

Hi Dewey, Where you are, Southeast Georgia, you easily could draw quite a few quality H-J Quarter Horses to a USHJA show. Out here in the West, not so much. We used to have plenty. So here and in other sparse areas, best to target the local state and schooling circuits to get people to give it a go at a lower cost.

The AQHA Specialty Over Fences Judge list does not identify those who also hold USEF cards, but I know there are several, including a poster on COTH. Years ago, I put on a small AQHA Special Event as part of a state-level show (only two classes allowed then) and found a judge with both cards already coming to judge the AA Circuit at the nearby Colo Horse Park. Score !!

Easiest way is to judge the QH classes concurrently with an open class at the relevant height level (two cards marked) but a QH could also enter that class slot/number on the QH card only. The flyer attached is to smoke out how many QHs are in an area, (maybe undercover as WB Crosses?) so the shows and jump levels can be tailored to what is actually out there to come to a future English Special Event. “Registered QHs” is part of the work to do - many people buy nice QHs for Open HJ shows and don’t bother to acquire their registration papers. Which is why anyone wanting to put on an English Special Event next year (when it starts) needs to do the background work now to get everyone signed up,and papers found and transferred. .

BTW, even though the amateur and youth divisions are owner-rider, . horse leases recorded with AQHA are allowed

BTW-2, if a trainer has a future Big Eq Kid, the QH Youth World Show or QH Congress are great places to learn to show under pressure at a big indoor show. The judging at both is on target, and winners at both are of the quality to also win at most A Circuits.

[Plumcreek]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x50AwQVsZWk

[Dewey]

Well, this is certainly intriguing. I ride an Appendix. I have never taken my horse to an AQHA show because I don’t have my own rig and show where my trainer shows. I am the only one at our barn on a AQHA-registered horse although trainer used to show a lot of them and has been to Congress back in the day.

I am actually eligible for the Select classes (rider over 50) although the national Select show in Texas is way too far for me even if I qualified. Still the idea of helping my horse earn regular AQHA papers is appealing. She’s a nice mare by Skys Blue Boy.

I also would love to do one of the AQHA hunter derbies, but again, without my own rig that’s not going to happen.

[MHM]

@Plumcreek

The AQHA Specialty Over Fences Judge list does not identify those who also hold USEF cards, but I know there are several, including a poster on COTH.

That might be me. I have both cards.

This sounds like a really good idea. I hope there is a lot of interest in it. There are certainly plenty of nice Quarter Horses out and about at different horse shows. It would be great to see them get a little more recognition.

[findeight]

@Dewey

Well, this is certainly intriguing. I ride an Appendix. I have never taken my horse to an AQHA show because I don’t have my own rig and show where my trainer shows. I am the only one at our barn on a AQHA-registered horse although trainer used to show a lot of them and has been to Congress back in the day.

I am actually eligible for the Select classes (rider over 50) although the national Select show in Texas is way too far for me even if I qualified. Still the idea of helping my horse earn regular AQHA papers is appealing. She’s a nice mare by Skys Blue Boy.

I also would love to do one of the AQHA hunter derbies, but again, without my own rig that’s not going to happen.

Can you move an older Appendix mare to regular papers? Been years but IIRC, the move had to be completed by a certain age with geldings, maybe 4?. Be wonderful if that has changed.

[Dewey]

@findeight

Can you move an older Appendix mare to regular papers? Been years but IIRC, the move had to be completed by a certain age with geldings, maybe 4?. Be wonderful if that has changed.

You are probably right. I am not an expert on AQHA rules. I just assumed it could be done any time.

[Plumcreek]

Just checked the rule book. It says nothing about age to advance from Appendix to Regular Registry. , just that you need the 10 point ROM, a vet certificate re no parrot mouth, and not cryptorchid for a stud. Also, points for a ROM must be in open classes, amateur and youth class points do not count. .

However, I would say that there are so many really nice hunter-type AQHA stallions now with regular papers, it is not the problem it used to be.

Dewey, if you and your barn are going to Aiken in June, let me know.

[findeight]

Thanks Plum, was hoping you’d chime in. It was a little more restrictive back on the…omg…70s when I looked into that,

But it looks like Select Classes won’t count for it.

[Dewey]

Well, it’s not the end of the world if my mare never gets regular papers. I’m not going to breed her, and she doesn’t know the difference. But Plumcreek–if we go to Aiken in June, I’ll let you know. We often do. We show there probably more than anywhere else.

[MHM]

Are there AQHA shows in Aiken?

[Dewey]

@MHM

Are there AQHA shows in Aiken?

I don’t know. There’s a South Carolina Quarter Horse Association, but I’ve never been to one of their shows.

[Plumcreek]

@MHM

Are there AQHA shows in Aiken?

No, most with fence classes and the 4th of July show with the Hunter Derby are at the Georgia Horse Park.

Dewey sent you a PM.

[MHM]

@Plumcreek

No, most with fence classes and the 4th of July show with the Hunter Derby are at the Georgia Horse Park.

Dewey sent you a PM.

Yes, I judged that one at the Georgia Horse Park in July a couple of years ago. It was hot! But fun.

I don’t see a PM yet.

[Dewey]

@MHM

Yes, I judged that one at the Georgia Horse Park in July a couple of years ago. It was hot! But fun.

I don’t see a PM yet.

I think she meant, “Dewey, I sent you a PM.” I received one from Plumcreek.

[Plumcreek]

Yes, MHM, I meant Dewey. Sorry for the poor wording. Being from Colorado, I cannot fathom showing in Georgia on July 4th. It is hot enough here at the Colo Horse Park that week.

[BroncoMo]

Plumcreek… it’s miserable but so much fun. One of my favorite shows. Last year was my first derby, and showed two horses. Considering Wyoming winter usually goes well in to May, I’m usually pasty white at the Big A and get absolutely fried. I think after my first derby round was the closest I’ve felt to heat exhaustion. But I had so much damn fun, I didn’t care.

Considering you a have a foot in both worlds, and local to me, are there many QH hunters in the area? I would love to see the special event grow around here, although I do not have anything to participate with at the moment; my QH fence horse is in Ohio, and my “home” horse is a paint (though could pass as a QH, and I would kill to be able to get his QH papers). A friend has mentioned that there are quite a few QHs in the area, but I have not yet ventured out to the rated shows other than to braid. If you are aware of any ways I can help network and grow the special event, let me know!