Page 18 - April2022

AQHA RACING UPDATE
“Know that in all our various efforts, we work together to better serve you.”
Ihave just returned from the 2022 AQHA Convention at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event reflected
an abundance of enthusiasm and forward momentum for our association. Promising reports were given that reflect increases in many areas: memberships are up, registrations are up, mares bred in 2021 is the highest number seen in over a decade, and after several years of being in decline, AQHA has turned the trajectory in an upward direction based on the financial information reported by Aaron Bovos, the Chief Financial Officer.
Exciting news was offered about MyAQHA.com,
a robust website experience with development nearing completion. It will dramatically improve a member’s opportunity to conduct business online. A beta launch will be done later in the year, with implementation to follow thereafter. AQHA understands the need to improve the current capabilities, and such an improvement is on the horizon. Be on the lookout for news on this topic.
Specific to our discipline, we conducted the Graded Stakes Committee meeting, two sessions of the Racing Committee meeting, and then the Racing Council meeting. All action items brought forward from those gatherings were approved by the membership but will still need to be reviewed by the Executive Committee. Although lacking that ratification at this time, I can tell you that progress was made in the following areas: we are now better poised to move forward with microchipping, there was an amendment to the AQHA Awards and Media Policy, a minor modification to the guidelines for the Champion Selection Committee voting process, and the members of that committee were nominated.
During the Racing Committee meeting, there was a detailed presentation that reported on a concept for the Bank of America Racing Challenge. Since 2019, Andrew Offerman, Senior Vice President of Racing Operations at Canterbury Park, has served as Chair of the AQHA Racing Challenge Task Force. Andrew has devoted a lot of his personal time leading this group to re-imagine the Racing Challenge. After leading several in-depth discussions, he crafted a proposal to develop a side-pot program that is intended to create new interest in our program. He offered a very thorough
proposal, and the Racing Committee voted to approve the concept and move forward in better defining
the parameters, create the organizational structure necessary, and determine a final implementation plan. We still have a way to go before making a paradigm shift in the program as we know it today, but it is exciting to think about the possibility of crafting a new innovative idea and having the Challenge grow because of it. Just look at what the American Rodeo has done for Rodeo industry...we could experience that same level of renewed enthusiasm in our sport! I would sure like to offer $1,000,000 for the Challenge Championships, wouldn’t you?
There was also a motion carried to create a Rules Committee to offer support to me when seeking regulatory changes, or even in reviewing rule or guideline changes that are specific to AQHA Racing. I welcome the support of this group. Having both veterinarian and regulatory oriented people in our corner can only strengthen our pursuits.
Lastly, there was discussion regarding the Youth Racing Experience. We in racing hold this program in high regard. In short, it has made young people more aware of our sport and changed lives. Should allocation of funding be in question, the Racing Committee was unanimous in its support of continuing the endeavor and taking steps to ensure its future. If you have a kid who would like to learn more about racing Quarter
Horses and would like to compete for an opportunity to come the Challenge Championships and get hands-on experience both in the barn area, the regulatory processes, and track operations, tell them about this program and have them reach out to me for more information.
While at the South Point, I had the honor of being among the panelists for an Excellence In Horsemanship panel during Andrea Fappani’s Along For The Ride symposium. Andrea is a renown
reining horse trainer with NRHA earnings of over
$6 million. While addressing an audience that was largely performance horse oriented, I was pleased to represent racing and discuss the commonalities that all disciplines share in taking care of a horse. I joined Andrea, as well as Dr. John Newcomb (who happens to be my brother), Carol Rose, Shawn Flarida, Nick Dowers, and producer Jim Esseck. It was a pleasure, and I enjoyed fielding several questions specific to care that I afforded horses that were entrusted in my care.
Each morning I start my day asking God to present me with opportunities to bless the Quarter Horse racing industry and the AQHA membership. The varied events described above gave me a chance to do so, but I couldn’t have done it without the AQHA Racing Department’s help. I appreciate each team member for their support in all the endeavors. Know that in all our various efforts, we work together to better serve you.
VIVA LAS VEGAS!
April 2022
by Janet VanBebber, AQHA Chief Racing Officer
16 SPEEDHORSE April 2022
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse