Page 10 - September 2022

AQHA RACING UPDATE
“...we are never too busy to help you... in fact, we look forward to it! Please reach out to us if ever you need assistance, that’s what we are here for!”
The dog days of summer are here. As I sit at my computer to compose an article to share insight regarding AQHA’s activities, I’m pondering how the temperature is not the only thing that’s hot this time of year - so are
the races! Every jurisdiction is featuring premier racing opportunities, and that means we in
the AQHA Racing Department are very busy keeping up with it all. This is the peak season
for race results, which translate to the pedigree information that you see at the sales. It’s also a busy time for regional Racing Challenge stakes, and the management of payments, condition-of- entry hair testing, awards, etc., all keeps the team hopping. And then there are the yearling sales and key racing events scheduled to coincide with them. I travel to several throughout the year and enjoy the opportunity to see many of you.
I mentioned sales...this would be a good time to remind you that if you like to see the online catalogues before you get your hardcopy, be sure and get our latest QData application and take advantage of our most updated technology.
In addition to having attended sales in Texas and Louisiana, right now I am preparing for the AQHA Racing Council’s summer meeting to be conducted at Ruidoso Downs later this month. Once there, three days of All American trials will ensue. The next weekend will be highlighted by Ruidoso’s Challenge stakes, followed by the Jay Pumphrey Cowboy Classic Golf Tournament, which is the traditional precursor to the All American
Sale. And, as always, Labor Day weekend will be crowned by the prestigious All American Futurity, Derby, Oaks and Gold Cup.
Although briefly mentioned above, don’t overlook Ruidoso’s regional AQHA Racing Challenge stakes which are sandwiched between the All American trials and finals. The John Deere Juvenile, Adequan Derby, and Q-Racing Distaff are slated for Saturday, August 27 and will again this year feature AQHA Day at the Races. AQHA members can secure free Turf Club seating and lunch and watch the versatility of the American Quarter Horses on display between races. It’s a fun event, and I’m always proud to showcase our phenomenal equine athletes’ varied talents. Visit AQHA.com/racing for a link to reserve your seats.
In other news, we anticipate receiving several applications seeking recognized racing in both South America and a new venture in Kentucky in advance of the upcoming Racing Council meeting. While you may have already read that the Kentucky track has received approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, their application
has yet to be presented to our leadership. We are excited about Revolutionary Racing’s interest in building a venue for Quarter Horses but will need to ensure that their proposal adheres to AQHA rules, protects the safety of the horse and rider, and offers our breeders, owners, and horsemen a viable opportunity. I hope to have more details to offer on this topic in next month’s article.
While all of this is going on, we will
also be completing work for the Challenge Championships at Horseshoe Indianapolis on October 22 which will be held in conjunction with the AQHA Racing Conference. We hope to see you there! Information about tentative schedule and our host hotel (The Omni Severin, 40 West Jackson Place in Indianapolis) will
be on our website shortly, and when making reservations, tell them you are with AQHA to take advantage of our group rate.
The AQHA Youth Racing Experience, a program that is very important to me, will be held during the Challenge Championship,. This year, we are proud to offer scholarships to its five participants that exceed the amount offered in
the last several years. For this I must offer my personal thanks to the generosity of several Racing Committee members, who stepped up to fund the scholarship portion of the program. Fostering the interest of the next generation is critical and I have witnessed this program as it changes lives. I am very grateful that we have Racing Committee members who see the value in the investment!
Wrapping up the litany of coming events,
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention AQHA’s Hall of Fame celebration. The festivities will be conducted in Amarillo September 16 and 17. While there are 12 being inducted, our Racing discipline is represented by revered owner, breeder and businessman, John Andreini, as well as James V.A. Carter, who has been preceded in the Hall of Fame by his homebred Top Moon, and finally, Corona Cartel, a stallion whose impact on our industry will last for generations to come. It’s a grand event, and if you have
an interest in attending, go to aqha.com/ celebration to learn more.
It’s clear that the Racing Department is, as always, busy. My suitcase seldom gets put away this time of year. But we are never too busy to help you...in fact, we look forward to it! Please reach out to us if ever you need assistance, that’s what we are here for!
SUMMER 2022
September 2022
by Janet VanBebber, AQHA Chief Racing Officer
8 SPEEDHORSE September 2022