What is the difference between FQHA and NFQHA?

[Foxglove]

Bob is doing well learning all his ranch horse skills. We are aiming for a Ranch Horse show in May 2025. His trainer asked if Bob was “Foundation Bred.” Bob is registered AQHA and I had seen his pedigree to 3 generations (on his papers). My guess was yes. Then I began to wonder . . .

I asked for and received his 8 generation pedigree from the AQHA and did the math --to me he appeared Foundation Bred --so I submitted his information to the FQHA (and $17) to find out for sure. He is Foundation Bred 85.13 percent.

Now a stumbling block --there are apparently two groups: Foundation Quarter Horse Association and National Foundation Quarter Horse Association. Both charge about $30 to join. I don’t want to join both if I don’t have to --and since Bob is a gelding, his foundation status is not really an asset other than bragging rights.

I would like to join the bigger, more active group, but can’t seem to find membership numbers or anything else about the benefits of joining either group.

I sent an email to both groups asking for clarification --but nothing back yet. I will ask my trainer when I see her on Tuesday --but just curious.

Thoughts?

Which should I join?

Pix of Bob:

[LilDunFilly]

They are both foundation bred registries (85% foundation bred or higher), but NFQHA has stricter requirements.

It subtracts all TB blood from the pedigree for the past 11 generations, regardless of how far back it is.

FQHA is less strict. It also subtracts TB, but not always 11 generations back. All horses that were born + registered AQHA before 1940 are considered full foundation bred. The registry just works backwards till it finds that foundation bred horse. So this means a horse born in 1939 that was technically 50% TB would considered 100% foundation in the calculations.

[clanter]

11 generations?

We had a Morgan born in 1989 that traced back to Figure in 12 generations…200 years

[LilDunFilly]

It’s 11 generations looking for TB or to the parents of the first registered horse in the pedigree.

[Foxglove]

@LilDunFilly @clanter --It appears Bob is qualified for either/both NFQHA or/and FQHA I had an email back from FQHA who simply stated that FQHA and NFQHA are different organizations. Period. Well, I knew that when I asked what the difference was!

I will ask my trainer when I see her next Monday. She is a member of FQHA so I am thinking that’s where we will send our money.

Any other insights?

[LilDunFilly]

Frankly, I think they are both fine. I’d wanted to register my girl with either one/both, but never got around to it. I preferred the presentation of NFQHA (very update, professional site). The stricter requirements for registration also make it a bit more picky. However, at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter for anything outside bragging rights or breeding. There are also special events, but if you don’t plan to attend them, then it is also a moot point.

[roseymare]

I don’t know that there are any benefits to registering a gelding accept the nice certificate. I don’t think there are any shows or incentives. I’d choose the one who references Denhardt if I was choosing.