Page 17 - November 2017

AQHA RAISING FEES
The American Quarter Horse Association announced a fee increase via their website. The increases will take effect in 2018. According
to the statement by AQHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines, “To deliver the best service to our members and horse lovers around the world, it is necessary for AQHA to review the Association’s budget and make changes to maintain a strong financial position to support the future of our great Association.”
Prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, AQHA staff prepare a tentative budget, which is approved by the AQHA Executive Committee prior to Oct. 1. The Association’s final budget is approved by the Executive Committee at its April meeting following
the AQHA convention, where the AQHA treasurer and chief operating officer presents the Association’s audited financial statements. Those statements are also posted at aqha.com.
Huffines goes on to explain, “AQHA
has supplemented its income for years with investment earnings to keep fees as low as possible for AQHA members. We have arrived at a point where the Association’s fees need to reflect the Association’s services provided to our members, and we must continue to be a financially healthy Association with at least a
half of a year to a full year budget in reserves.” The Executive Committee reviewed the tentative budget during its September meeting
and approved multiple fee increases that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2018. Among the fees that will be increased are membership fees, which will increase to $55 for an annual membership or $140 for a 3-year membership. Registration fees for foals younger than seven months will be $40 for AQHA members and $90 for non- members. By logging into Member Services, AQHA members will save $5 by using the online registration form. Submitting the form online should reduce the processing time, too. The five-panel genetic test will cost $100 in 2018, and the five-panel genetic test plus DNA will cost $120 next year. The complete list of increased fees can be found at aqha.com and in the 2018 AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.
“While we know the fee increases will affect our members, like you, I can assure you that we kept the fees as low as possible in order
to be cost effective for our members, provide members with the best services available and help our great Association stay financially strong, not only for today, but for years to come,” stated Huffhines on the website.
YOUTH CHALLENGE WINNERS
Five youth competed to earn scholarships worth a total of $6,000 at the 2017 American Quarter Horse Youth Association National Youth Racing Experience at Prairie Meadows Race Course in Altoona, Iowa, during the Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships.
The youth who were selected to attend this year’s AQHYA National Youth Racing Experience were: Claire Baudler of Clive, Iowa; Claire Lee of McAllen, Texas; Kennedy
Stanek of Lino Lakes, Minnesota; Kimberlee Standeford of Atlanta, Indiana; and Ricardo Canales of Phoenix, Arizona.
Three scholarships were presented to the high-scoring students who completed an application, online Racing Skillathon, including an essay question and an onsite interview during the Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships at Prairie Meadows Race Course. The winners are determined from the cumulative score of the application, skillathon and interview. Lee won the top prize of $3,000. Canales finished second and earned $2,000. Stanek earned $1,000 for third place.
The AQHYA National Youth Racing Experience introduces youth to the sport of American Quarter Horse racing. Participants got a behind-the-scenes look into the industry and met the people who help races go on every day, including stewards, announcers, owners, trainers, jockeys and their horses. Top AQHYA members were picked through a nomination and application process for this all-expenses- paid trip.
SPEEDHORSE, November 2017 15
TRACK CHATTER