Page 64 - Speedhorse February 2018

REGIONAL CHALLENGE OPEN FORUM
American Quarter Horse Association, January 17, 2018 - The tentative 2018 regional race schedule for the Bank of America Racing Challenge is available and can be found at www.aqha.com/racing.
In the quarter century of its existence, the Bank of America Racing Challenge has been a major source of quality racing for American Quarter Horses of all levels of ability, but especially for older horses.
However, the sources of income that finance purse revenue have diminished and adequate adjustments were not made to the money distributed. Consequently, the AQHA Racing Challenge Task Force, AQHA Racing Council and AQHA Executive Committee have made changes to this year’s 2018 regional race schedule.
Note that the changes reflected in this year’s schedule are for this year only and were necessitated to balance the distribution of purses in recent years.
Horsemen attended a Challenge Open Forum on January 18 at Heritage Place to discuss and
OQHRA Executive Director, AQHA Challenge Task Force and Racing Council Chair Debbie Schauf
comment on the Challenge program and for the AQHA to communicate to the membership about the current dilemma, the adjustments made for 2018, and their hope for the future.
According to AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber, “Most of you are aware that we are faced with tough circumstances surrounding our (Bank
of America Racing Challenge) program. In the 25 years since its inception, the program has endured very little modification. However, the various sources that finance the purse revenue have all been in decline. Over all, the Challenge Championships host site contribution has declined, sponsor support has diminished, and declining trend in both
foal registrations and Challenge enrollments are cumulative factors contributing to shrinking purse revenue. The serious dilemma that I’m faced with is that none of the declining factors were adequately considered when distributing purses in recent years (due in part to transitioning staff, and complications of taking a calendar year race schedule and balancing it to a fiscal year). Consequently, we’ve now learned that purses were overpaid, and our remaining revenue for this year’s Regional races is dramatically impacted. In short, we have approximately half the available funds available for this year’s Regional races compared to the past several years.
“The Challenge Task Force and Racing Council Chair Debbie Schauf joined me in rolling up our sleeves to determine our direction. After a lot of
AQHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines
consideration, we sought the approval of the Racing Council and the Executive Committee to make
a major modification for 2018. For this year, we will offer half the traditional Regional races, with the top two finishers garnering an invitation to the finals. This format allowed us to distribute added money without diluting it to the point that purses are not stake worthy. Historical participation, jurisdiction’s need, and geographic balance were among the factors considered in determining the schedule. We advised Racing Offices of the news, and most were understanding. Several tracks have taken the funds they had earmarked for the races they weren’t awarded, and combined them with their added money in the races they will host. This is a tough situation, and the spirit of cooperation is appreciated. The regional schedule will be posted online. Note also that there will be no Maiden Challenge races in 2018.”
VanBebber went on to say, “I am excited that there is something for us to work on to affect immediate change, and thereby keep our Bank of America Racing Challenge a viable program in the future of our industry.”
The Challenge Task Force is working diligently on a new format for 2019 that will enhance the program’s ability to support and foster Quarter Horse racing in all regions, and continue to host the illustrious Challenge Championships at the end of the year.
62 SPEEDHORSE, February 2018
AQHA President Ralph Seekin
s s
n
A
A
Q
J J
a a
n n
e e
t t
V
n n
B B
e e
b b
Q
C
H
Of f
HA
A
h
R
C
hi
V a
a
b b
e e
r r
i
e
ef f
O
Ra
a
c
c
ng
in
g
f
ce
i
ic
er
fi
r