Don't Miss the December 31 Deadline for 2004 AQHA Convention Agenda Items

Amarillo, Texas, December 15, 2003 - The American Quarter Horse Association's annual Convention is fast approaching, and you can have a voice in proposed changes made in your Association.

Any AQHA member may request an item to be included on any AQHA Committee Agenda. The deadline to submit your agenda item is December 31. To submit an item, please contact AQHA by phone at 806-376-4811; by e-mail at aqhamail@aqha.org; by mailing your item to AQHA at P.O. Box 200, Amarillo, Texas, 79168, or by visiting with any AQHA Director.

The 2004 Convention will be held at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Reno, Nevada, March 5-9. One proposal on the agenda for the stud book and registration committee deals with rule 227 (c), commonly called the "white rule."

The proposal is as follows:

1. A numbered American Quarter Horse bred to a numbered American Quarter Horse will result in a foal eligible for registration by AQHA.
2. If the foal has white outside the presently prescribed limits, after parentage verification the foal will be registered in the proposed supplemental registry.
3. Horses registered in the supplemental registry will be eligible to race and perform in AQHA-approved events; however, they will not be eligible for halter classes.
4. Foals resulting from the breeding of a supplemental registry stallion to a supplemental registry mare will not be eligible for registration with AQHA.

During AQHA's World Championship Show, a halter task force met with a subcommittee of the stud book and registration committee and with the executive committee. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss proposals that the stud book and registration committee made in October relating to HYPP.

Based on this discussion, the subcommittee will recommend the following to the entire stud book and registration committee during the 2004 AQHA Convention in Reno:

1. Foals of 2006 and later tracing to the stallion Impressive will be required to be parentage verified and tested for HYPP.
2. Foals of 2006 and later testing positive for HYPP (H/H) will not be eligible for registration with AQHA.
3. Foals of 2024 and later testing positive for HYPP (N/H) will not be eligible for registration with AQHA.

In addition, the subcommittee supported a recommendation made by the executive committee to commence an education and awareness campaign informing the membership of the effects of HYPP.

Also featured at the 2004 Convention will be the American Quarter Horse Foundation Convention Auction. The big event will take place on Monday, March 8 at John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel. You won't want to miss this chance to swing into Reno, Nevada, with your poodle skirt or leather jacket, because this year is all about Rock-n-Roll!

This auction event helps to provide funding for scholarships, education and valuable equine research through the American Quarter Horse Foundation.

If you have an item you wish to donate to the 2004 Convention Auction, please contact Veronica Almanza at 888-209-8322.

AQHA's Standing Committees:

Amateur
American Quarter Horse Foundation
Equine Research
Finance
International
Judges
Marketing and Public Information
Membership Services
Professional Horsemen
Public Policy
Racing
Shows
Stud Book and Registration
Youth Activities