AQHA Experiencing Delays In Processing Results
AQHA is currently experiencing some delays in processing the results for the Prairie Classic. They have been concentrating on the VRH shows and expect to finish up those shortly and begin work on regular shows. This will delay the posting of year end standings while we wait for the results to be completed.
2021 Amy Russell Scholarship Winners Announced
Jodi Banks and Caitlyn Champagne were announced as the winners of the 2021 Amy Russell scholarships awarded at the Salt City Circuit held in Hutchinson, KS March 25 through the 28th. The scholarship honors long time member Amy Russell, daughter of Karen Russell. Amy won many awards while competing as a youth including AQHA Youth Champion with Sho Nuf McCue, AQHA Youth World, Congress and AQHA Honor Role titles. Karen was on hand to present the girls with their scholarships.
Paula Pray Awarded KQHA MVP
Paula Pray has been awarded the KQHA Most Valuable Professional award given by AQHA Professional Horsemans Association to horseman who display the highest level of professionalism in the industry. A longtime member of KQHA Paula came up through the ranks as a youth competing at the Youth World on several occasions. She currently operates a training barn in Louisburg, KS specializing in the hunter-jumper disclipine but she also dabbles in some of the western events having shown in the working cowhorse and ranch riding classes. She is always willing and ready to volunteer at the shows, setting jumps and running gates for us in addition to being a long time sponsor of the youth and amateur associations.
Jeff Mellott Inducted into Hall of Fame at Prairie Classic
Wednesday morning KQHA honored past president Jeff Mellott with induction into the KQHA Hall of Fame. Jeff presented the initial idea of producing the show to the KQHA board of directors along with Chuck Sperry and Craig Cole and was instrumental in the current success of the event. Chuck Sperry presented Jeff with his placque prior to the start of the trail.Thank you Norfleet Photography for the wonderful photos.
AQHA Waives Qualifying For 2021 VRH World Championships
On Dec 31, 2020 AQHA announced that the traditional qualification requirements for the 2021 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals scheduled for June 22 - 27, 2021 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma would be waived.
“Even though VRH qualification was rolled over from 2020 to 2021, due to the 2020 AQHA VRH World being cancelled, we believe it is in the best interest of our exhibitors and their American Quarter Horses to waive qualifying for the 2021 AQHA VRH World and AQHA RHC Finals,” said Karen McCuistion, AQHA senior director of member programs. “In a traditional year, we would continue with the qualifying requirements, especially because we understand the impact on our affiliates; however, under these extenuating circumstances, we want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to compete in 2021, especially because most affiliates were only able to hold a fraction of the events compared to a typical year. We also took into consideration that the rolled qualification would not benefit our youth and amateurs with new horses or horses that were too young to qualify in 2020. We still encourage exhibitors to compete at the qualifying events now through February 28, especially to have the opportunity for the chance to win the $20,000 John Deere VRH Double-Qualifying Incentive.”
AQHA Modifies Qualifying For 2021 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Show
Changes were also announced for the Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show, tentatively scheduled for July 28 - August 8 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, OK.
AQHA has established two options to compete at the 2021 Ford Youth World. AQHYA exhibitors will have the choice to nationally qualify by the end of the qualifying period, April 30, 2021, or meet their state/provincial affiliate requirements. Affiliates will not have a cap on the total number of entries per class or for the show.
“The decision to waive traditional qualifying for the 2021 Ford Youth World was based on extensive discussion, comparison of previous years’ qualifying data and the cancellation of approximately 30% of the qualifying shows since May 1, 2020, when the qualifying period began,” said Justin Billings, AQHA chief show officer. “We anticipate continued effects of the pandemic, especially in the harder hit areas of the world where many lockdowns remain in place.”
AQHA To Waive Qualifying For Open, Amateur World Championships
AQHA has announced that they will again waive qualifying for the Open and Amateur World Championships with the exception of a modified plan for the roping classes. This decision was made after examing the number of shows that would be available to exhibitors during the qualifying period. At this time AQHA plans to resume traditional qualifying for the 2022 championship shows.
With guidance from the AQHA Cattle Advisory Committee and approval from the AQHA Show Council and Executive Committee, AQHA is debuting a pilot program in 2021 for junior heading, senior heading, junior heeling, senior heeling, junior tie-down and senior tie-down, which would allow American Quarter Horses that compete in at least three AQHA-sanctioned events in the respective class during the traditional qualifying period a lower entry fee than American Quarter Horses that do not compete in three AQHA-sanctioned events between August 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021. Additional information will be released at a later date.
Stormont Vail Events Center Re-opening For Shows
The management of the Stormont Vail Events Center has notified KQHA that we will be able to hold Hope In The Heartland at the facility this fall. The dates will be changing to Sept 30 - October 3. The show schedule is currently being worked on and will be posted shortly.
2021 Shows, Points and Year End Awards Rules
KQHA has modified the rules that control show approvals, awarding of points and requirements for year end awards. You can click on the link below to see the new requirements that will be in place beginning on Jan 1 2021.
2021 Changes To Show Approval Process
Beginning with the 2021 show season a new show approval process will be in place for all AQHA shows in Kansas seeking to have their results count towards KQHA year end awards. Click on the links below to see the letter explaining the process and the show approval form.
Letter From KQHA On New Show Approval Process