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AQHA News Blog General Post

AQHA Animal Welfare Rule Changes

 

The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission met at the 2023 AQHA Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, and submitted several animal welfare-related rule-change recommendations to the AQHA Executive Committee, which approved them in April. These rule changes focus on revisions and updates to penalties, allowing the use of an approved lip cord in weanling halter classes, rules regarding the death of a horse at an AQHA-approved event and educational programming for animal welfare.

Here are the recommendations that were approved by the Executive Committee:

  • Keep the Conformation Alteration Task Force in place to identify funding mechanisms and continue to refine testing protocols and procedures for conformation alteration at AQHA World Shows.
  • Accept the Complaint and Reporting Task Force recommendations for the immediate implementation of: 
    • The recommended streamlined adjudication process for inhumane treatment violations; 
    • The update to the minimum levels of offense in VIO204.1-VIO204.20;
    • The revised AQHA Disciplinary Fine and Penalty Chart;
    • That all suspensions for inhumane treatment will trigger VIO657, a ban from AQHA show grounds;
    • That horses transferred out of the suspended persons name cannot be transferred back into their name until the probationary period resulting from their suspension is complete; and
    • That a suspended person cannot self-promote or be promoted by AQHA at any AQHA managed event.
  • Allow halter weanlings to be shown in an AQHA-approved lip cord or safety lead for immediate implementation.
  • Accept the task force recommendation to approve new AQHA Rule VIO207: In the case of a horse’s death as a result of an incident at an AQHA-approved event, AQHA will immediately appoint a three-person panel from the Animal Welfare Grievance Committee to review the incident. In conjunction with such investigation, a Responsible Party hereby agrees to cooperate with AQHA by (1) answering truthfully and promptly any inquiries; (2) providing medical/treatment records and post death reports/results (e.g. necropsy report) if any; and (3) authorizing any third parties to answer AQHA inquiries and provide the aforementioned records.
    VIO207.1 Subject to such panel’s review and recommendation, AQHA may temporarily suspend a Responsible Party as defined herein [see VIO250] pending AQHA’s further investigation of the horse’s death.
    VIO207.2 Should a temporary suspension be enforced a preliminary hearing will be held within two weeks of the horse’s death with the Responsible Part(ies), initial hearing panel and AQHA Staff.
  • Accept the task force recommendation to approve the mandatory necropsy rule as presented (April 13, 2023): This rule applies to fatalities of horses. For purposes of this rule, a “fatality” is defined as a death to any horse by any means including euthanasia at any time from when the horse/s arrives at the venue until the completion of the AQHA approved event or after the AQHA approved event where such fatal injury or illness is related to the horse’s presence at the AQHA approved event. This pertains to death on the grounds or death of horse transported to other facilities to seek care. 
  1. The trainer, owner or exhibitor as defined by AQHA rules, [see VIO250, Responsible Party], must notify the Steward or Show Manager as soon as possible but no later than one hour after such occurrence of any fatality. When a fatality occurs outside of competition hours, notification must occur as soon as possible but no later than one hour after the Steward/Show Manager reports to the show or returns to duty. 
  2. The Show Manager/Steward/Responsible Party must report a fatality to AQHA as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after the incident as well as an explanation as to what happened to the horse. 
  3. If an official show veterinarian is not available, an on-call veterinarian or a veterinarian on the grounds shall be appointed to collect samples (blood, urine and/or vitreous fluid) at the earliest opportunity and submits the samples for analysis to the AQHA approved laboratory. (If the responsible party refuses the collection of samples, they are subject to temporary suspension pursuant to VIO207). 
  4. In addition to the duties set forth in SHW133, the Steward/Show Manager shall file an Equine Fatality Report Form with AQHA within 24 hours of notification, except in exceptional circumstances. 
  5. Show management must post emergency veterinary contact information as well as identify prior to the start of the competition the nearest Veterinary Pathology laboratory to facilitate a rapid and accurate post-mortem (information available at www.equinediseasecc.org). 
  6. A gross postmortem examination including histopathology must be performed in all incidents of euthanasia or fatality, except where the nearest Veterinary Pathology laboratory is further than 200 miles from where the equine fatality or euthanasia occurred. The trainer, owner or exhibitor as defined by AQHA rules, [see VIO250, Responsible Party] is responsible to transport the horse for the postmortem examination. If a horse is uninsured or a postmortem is not required by the owner’s insurance, AQHA will cover the cost of the gross postmortem and transport costs to the appropriate veterinary facility, up to a maximum in total of $1,000.00, unless a greater amount is pre-approved by AQHA should the circumstances warrant. If AQHA covers the cost of the postmortem and the relevant postmortem report is provided to the owner’s insurance, AQHA will only be responsible for half of the cost of the postmortem up to a maximum in total of $500.00. If a postmortem is required by the owner’s insurance, at no cost to AQHA, the horse’s owner shall provide AQHA a copy of the postmortem report within 24 hours of receipt of such report. (List of pathology laboratories can be found at www.equinediseasecc.org) (If responsible party refuses the necropsy, they are subject to temporary suspension pursuant to VIO207).
  7. In certain circumstances, as approved by AQHA Director of Breed Integrity, who may be contacted at 806-679-5693, a necropsy may not be warranted. (Add secondary contact number) 
  8. Within 12 hours of the horse leaving competition grounds, AQHA Show Management shall provide AQHA with the contact details of the applicable Veterinary Pathology laboratory. 
  9. The owner shall provide the preliminary and final reports of a postmortem to AQHA within 24 hours of the pathologist completing their report or the owner’s receipt of the report. Failure to submit reports could result in the temporary suspension to responsible party pursuant to VIO207. 
  10. The cause of death and, if relevant, the method of euthanasia should be included in the postmortem report. 
  11. The competition or treating veterinarian shall submit all information regarding any treatment or substance(s) administered to the horse prior to or during competition and before or during death or euthanasia with owner’s written permission to AQHA within 12 hours. Failure to submit reports could result in the temporary suspension to responsible party pursuant to VIO207. 
  12. Once all medical and treatment records and post death reports/results are forwarded to AQHA the Animal Welfare Grievance Committee will review within 72 hours to determine if further investigation is necessary. 
  • Cooperate with the United Horse Coalition to utilize its educational content to conduct educational programming about responsible ownership for AQHA members.

Recognizing that animal welfare is the single most important issue facing the equine industry today, the AQHA Executive Committee created the Animal Welfare Commission in 2012. The Animal Welfare Commission serves as AQHA’s primary body for rules, policies and procedures related to all areas of animal welfare. In addition, the commission oversees the educational processes associated with AQHA officials responsible for animal welfare.

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AQHA News News Member News

Canadian Results from the 2023 Level 1 West AQHA Championships

Champion L1 Youth Hunter Under Saddle (14-18) – Gota Wear My Silks, 2011, MARE – exhibitor/owner: Hailey Olson, Maryfield, SK, Canada.

Reserve Champion L1 Youth Showmanship (14 – 18) – – Gota Wear My Silks, 2011, MARE – exhibitor/owner: Hailey Olson, Maryfield, SK, Canada.

3rd L1 Youth Hunt Seat Equitation (14-18) – Gota Wear My Silks, 2011, MARE – exhibitor/owner: Hailey Olson, Maryfield, SK, Canada.

5th L1 Amt Showmanship at Halter – Unanswered Prayerz, 2016, GELDING – exhibitor/owner: Tamara Marie Jameson, Surrey, BC, Canada.

6th L1 Amt Showmanship at Halter – Invite The Fortune, 2020, MARE – exhibitor: Ainsley Raine Linnell, Summerberry, SK, owner: Karen Linnell, Summerberry, SK, Canada.

7th Rookie Amt Western Pleasure – Unanswered Prayerz, 2016, GELDING – exhibitor/owner: Tamara Marie Jameson, Surrey, BC, Canada.

8th L1 Amt Trail – Unanswered Prayerz, 2016, GELDING – exhibitor/owner: Tamara Marie Jameson, Surrey, BC, Canada.

11th L1 Amt Performance Halter Geldings – Tee Jays Stylish Kid, 2015, GELDING – exhibitor/owner: Keegan Burt, Langenburg, SK, Canada

11th L1 Amt Western Horsemanship – Hez Willy Fancy, 2014, GELDING – exhibitor: Ainsley Raine Linnell, Summerberry, SK, owner: Karen Linnell, Summerberry, SK, Canada.

12th L1 Youth Western Pleasure (14-18) – Gota Wear My Silks, 2011, MARE – exhibitor/owner: Hailey Olson, Maryfield, SK, Canada.

15th Rookie Amt Showmanship at Halter – Invite The Fortune, 2020, MARE – exhibitor: Ainsley Raine Linnell, Summerberry, SK, owner: Karen Linnell, Summerberry, SK, Canada.

15Th L1 Amt Hunt Seat Equitation – Unanswered Prayerz, 2016, GELDING – exhibitor/owner: Tamara Marie Jameson, Surrey, BC, Canada.

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Blog Members Post Youth Post

Canadian Hannah Buijs Shines as an Athlete and Scholar at California State University, Fresno

By Hannah Buijs as told to Lynn Riley

Being an NCAA Division 1 student-athlete comes with a lot of time commitment and responsibility, but is an unforgettable journey. Personally, I feel as though I experienced the most out of being a student-athlete. Not only did I enter my collegiate career as a Biochemistry major, but I was also a competing member of the Fresno State Equestrian Team, traveling to every away meet we participated in.

Additionally, I was a team captain and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Therefore, I had a very demanding schedule. Despite this, it taught me a variety of life skills, such as time management and encouraged me to engage in a more active and healthy lifestyle.
A typical day for me, as an undergraduate, consisted of arriving at the barn at 7:00 a.m. for barn chores, followed by a one-hour riding practice. Then I would go to class for most of the day (as a science major meant lectures and 3-4 hour labs a couple times a week). My day would conclude with a one-hour fitness workout (twice a week) and catching up on homework and studying. In addition, I was spending time working as part of a research group in the chemistry department.

One of the many perks to Fresno State is that the equestrian facility is on campus, allowing me to go to the barn in between classes and cutting down a lot of travel time. I also liked in particular that we were assigned chore horses each year that we had to care for throughout the semester, so it was like having your own horse with you! Even though the team and school kept me busy, I argued that I wasn’t busy enough and still had extra time. Therefore, I decided to rescue a dog and retire a team horse in my spare time.

Living in Fresno, California also enabled me to travel and explore places where I’d never been. Throughout my time here, I have spent a lot of days in the mountains (where I was able to get my snow fix), as well as the beaches, oceans and lakes. One of the greatest advantages in my experience being a student-athlete aside from the obvious horse part, is the community you become a part of. Being a part of a team meant that you had family right from the start, which is important when you move across the continent to a different country! Older teammates are able to tell you which professors are more suitable for you and can lend you used books for classes you may have had in common. We have a great academic-athletic advisor that helped me with picking classes and ensuring I was staying on track with graduation. The team also has access to free tutors, a nutritionist, a private workout facility and a sports medicine facility. Our coaching staff created a welcoming environment and pushed me to be my best with every practice. Additionally, I was able to partake in other disciplines such as the jumping seat events and reining. This only improved my appreciation of these wonderful animals and the sport they allow us to do.

Some of my highlights over my five years on the team include becoming All-American Second Team in the Horsemanship and the All Big 12 Conference Horsemanship Team, and being named to the All-Academic First Team and All Big 12 Conference Academic First Team every year. I was also awarded with the Fresno State Horsemanship Rider of the Year for two years and received the Workhorse Award and the Award of Excellence. I am eternally grateful for all of the amazing horses I had the opportunity to meet and ride.

I highly recommend exploring the opportunity to become a member of a NCAA Equestrian Team. It is an experience like no other that enables you to do what you love while achieving a degree and opens so many doors for your future. The community you become a part of provides you with a home away from home and a variety of connections through various workshops put on by the athletics department. WHAT could be better than creating lifelong friendships with people who share the same passion as you, and spending time riding and caring for horses while achieving a university degree?

For other Canadians interested in recruitment for an equestrian team, recommend creating an academic and athletic resume, as well as putting together some videos of yourself riding multiple
horses, then contacting coaches from the schools you are interested in and sending this information to them. A variety of schools also put on equestrian camps, which are a great way for coaches to see your skills/work ethic, and for you to get an idea of the NCEA format, as it is different than what we know
from the CQHA/AQHA world. In addition, I recommend showing at some shows in the USA, especially the bigger ones such as the All American Quarter Horse Congress and AQHYA World Show where many coaches often go to recruit. Don’t be afraid to send a follow up email to the coaches of schools you are interested in, letting them know where you will be showing so they can keep an eye out for you!

If anyone has any questions or wants to learn more about the student-athlete experience, please feel free to send me an email:
hannahbuijs479@mail.fresnostate.edu.

You just never know what the future holds – follow your dreams!!!!!

Categories
Blog Breeders Post

Cnd Bred AQHA Horse of the Year Had to Be Ivory Stretches Winning Streak to Seven

Ontario-bred Had to Be Ivory has his ears pricked as he easily wins the $30,375 Norman Picov Maturity on May 17. (Clive Cohen/New Image Media photo)
Jockey Josh Scott takes a victorious leap off Had to Be Ivory (Clive Cohen photo)
AJAX DOWNS, MAY 18, 2023 – Making his 8-year-old debut, reigning Horse of the Year HAD TO BE IVORY showed no signs of slowing down as he romped to an easy 1 1/4 length win in the $30,375 Norman Picov Maturity at Ajax Downs on Wednesday. This was the fourth time Had to Be Ivory, owned and bred by Carol and Jaime Robertson of Hillsburgh, ON, has won the Maturity, the first stakes race of the Quarter Horse season.
 
“It’s incredible,” said jockey Josh Scott to Ajax Downs’ guest interviewer Terry Johnson, the popular host of the morning show on CKDO Durham radio. “The energy he has, he just keeps getting better.”
 
Trained by Bryn Robertson, Had to Be Ivory was bet down to 2 to 5 in the seven-horse field which included a pair of champions half his age: 2021 Horse of the Year First Cold Wave and the champion 3-year-old filly of 2022, Eye Live for Candy, both trained by Jason Pascoe.
 
After breaking quickly from post position two, Had to be Ivory was quickly in front of his rivals and never challenged. First Cold Wave finished second for owner Robert Bailey and Eye Live for Candy finished fast for third. The time for 300 yards was 15.364 for a 97 speed index.
 
It was the seventh straight victory for Had to Be Ivory dating back to his undefeated 2022 campaign. The son of Ivory James – Had to Be Fandango has won 23 of 29 career races and his earnings are over $376,000, making him one of the richest Ontario bred Quarter Horses in history.
 
“He’s never been worse than fourth in his career,” said Bryn Robertson. “He’s just a sweetheart at the barn and easy to handle. He just does everything right.”
 
*The combination of owner Milena Kwiecien, trainer Jason Pascoe and jockey JB Botello won two races on the May 17 card. SW Snowmagicallykool, a daughter of Kwiecien’s stallion Maryland Magic (who still races), won race 2 while Spy for the Senate, who doubles as a stallion and racehorse, won the fourth-race allowance event for his 13th career victory.
 
*Racing continues at Ajax Downs next Wednesday, May 24 with the final of the Open Derby for 3-year-olds. First race post time is 1:30 p.m. Don’t forget to check out all our race dates and special events at www.ajaxdowns.com and follow us on social media, @AjaxDowns.
 
 

 

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News Youth News

2023 Shannon Burwash Memorial Awards  for Equine and Agricultural Studies

Shannon Burwash with "Oprah" (Lopin Foran Invite) Credit: Holy Nicole Photography

Apply by midnight, June 1st, 2023  

April 1, 2023 – (Calgary, AB) – In May of 2014, Dr. Wayne Burwash launched the Shannon Burwash Memorial Fund for Equine and Agricultural Studies at Calgary Foundation, to honor the legacy of his wife Shannon’s love for the horse and her contribution to the horse industry.  

To build this fund, Dr. Burwash offered to match all donations, dollar for dollar, until the fund reached the target goal of $125,000. It was thought that this size of investment should be enough to generate $4000 to $5000 annually to be awarded as scholarships. The Fund at the Calgary Foundation has reached nearly $140,000 and is generating enough to continue awarding $4000 per year. To date there has been $31,000 awarded from this fund to 23 students from coast to coast in Canada.

However, each year the number of very worthy scholarship applications received far exceeds funds available for distribution, and the cost of higher education continues to rise. One of the most impactful ways to address this challenge is funding student awards. Gifts to the scholarship fund are invested, not spent, to generate an income which is used to award scholarships. Your support is an investment in the future of our horse industry as deserving students develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

Awards Overview: For 2023 there will be three student awards:

  • one award of $2,000 for full-time students entering more advanced years of study (third year and beyond) in any field of study with emphasis on horses, agriculture, agribusiness, animal health technology, or equine veterinary medicine at an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution. Click here to learn more.
  • two awards of $1,000 for full-time students entering first or second year of study at an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution in any field of study with emphasis on horses, agriculture, agri-business, animal health technology or equine veterinary medicine. Click here to learn more.

To apply, all students must visit the Calgary Foundation website at either of the underlined “Click here” links indicated above.  

To view the prior years’ award recipients, visit the CQHA website:   

 

Help us continue to provide these awards into the future
with a donation to the  
Shannon Burwash Memorial Awards for  Equine and Agricultural Studies

Each year the number of very worthy scholarship applications received far exceeds funds available for distribution, and the cost of higher education continues to rise.

One of the most impactful ways to address this challenge is funding student awards. Gifts to the scholarship fund are invested, not spent, to generate an income which is used to award scholarships.

Your support is an investment in the future of our horse industry as deserving students develop into the leaders of tomorrow.           To Donate:  

  • By Phone: To donate by credit card over the phone, call 403-802-7700 during office hours 8:00 am – 4:00 pm MDT. Please do NOT leave your credit card number on voicemail. 
  • In Person: Calgary Foundation, #1180, 105 12 Avenue SE, Calgary during office hours. 
Categories
News General News

Canadian Results from the 2023 Level 1 East AQHA Championships

CQHA would like to congratulate the Canadian AQHA Level 1 exhibitors and Canadian bred horses who made the top 20 at the 2023 Nutrena AQHA East Level 1 Championships which was hosted  April 25 – 30 at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio.

Photos: premiersires.com, Shane Rux Photography, Jodi Mallette & Tracey Patterson
Champion – Rookie Youth Hunter Under Saddle, CANADIAN BRED FIXNTOBEUNFORGETABand ADRIANNA MACLEAN,

Champion – Rookie Youth Hunter Under Saddle, CANADIAN BRED FIXNTOBEUNFORGETABLE, 2018, GELDING (UN FORGETTABLE x IMA FIXIN TO WIN) breeder: JOANN MACLEAN, NAPANEE, ON, rider/owner: ADRIANNA MACLEAN, NAPANEE, ON.

Champion - L1 Youth Trail (14-18), SURELY A GOOD COWBOY and ABIGAIL PARKER-SPRATT DUNLEVY

Champion – L1 Youth Trail (14-18), SURELY A GOOD COWBOY, 2012, GELDING – owner/rider: ABIGAIL PARKER-SPRATT DUNLEVY, ORO-MEDONTE, ON.

Reserve Champion – L1 Amt Hunt Seat Equitation, WHERE I COME FROM, 2012, GELDING rider/owner CALE THOMPSON, BARRIE, ON.

Reserve Champion – L1 Amt Two Yr Old Geldings, MY IRONS R CHEAPER, 2021, GELDING – owner/rider: CALE THOMPSON, BARRIE, ON.

Reserve Champion – L1 Amt Performance Halter Geldings, A CERTAIN CHEX, 2018, GELDING – SUSAN MANNING, RICHMOND HILL, ON.

Reserve Champion L1 Amt Performance Halter Geldings, A CERTAIN and SUSAN MANNING

Bronze – L1 Amt Hunt Seat Equitation, SLEEPY MONN, 2011, GELDING – owner/rider: AMBER ZABEL, GRIMSBY, ON.

Bronze – L1 Youth Working Hunter, CANADIAN BRED ENUFF IS ENUFF, 2016, GELDING (THE NEXT DETAIL x JOSIES ON THE HUNT) breeder: ELIZABETH ROBERTS, DRESEDEN, ON, Canada rider/owner: TESSA VOS, ADA, MI

4th – L1 Amt Walk Trot Horsemanship, FRED FORGOT TO ZIP, 2005, GELDING – rider: ERIC FARLEY, WILLIAMSTOWN, ON, Canada owner: ANNA SCHEITEL, WILLIAMSTOWN, ON.

4th – L1 Amt Walk Trot Trail, IN FRONT OF THE LINE, 2014, GELDING – rider/owner: CLARE ELISABETH ROMAN, TORONTO, ON.

4th – L1 Amt Showmanship at Halter, WHERE I COME FROM, 2012, GELDING – owner/exhibitor: CALE THOMPSON, BARRIE, ON.

4th – L1 Youth Performance Halter Geldings, CANADIAN BRED FIXNTOBEUNFORGETABLE, 2018, GELDING (UN FORGETTABLE x IMA FIXIN TO WIN) breeder: JOANN MACLEAN, NAPANEE, ON. rider/owner: ADRIANNA MACLEAN, NAPANEE, ON.

Bronze trophy winner in L1 Amt Hunt Seat Equitation, SLEEPY MONN and AMBER ZABEL

6th – L1 Amt Hunter Under Saddle, SOUTHERN COUTURE, 2018, MARE – owner rider MEAGAN FAHLMAN, DILKE, SK.

6th – L1 Amt Select Western Riding, IN FRONT OF THE LINE, 2014, GELDING rider/owner: CLARE ELISABETH ROMAN, TORONTO, ON.

6th– L1 Amt Western Horsemanship, SLEEPY MONN, 2011, GELDING – owner/rider: AMBER ZABEL, GRIMSBY, ON.

6th – L1 Amt Trail, SLEEPY MONN, 2011, GELDING – AMBER ZABEL, GRIMSBY, ON.

Multiple top 10 award winner IN FRONT OF THE LINE and CLARE ELISABETH ROMAN
8th place L1 Amt Western Riding, LAZY N SHY and CYNTHIA GLOVER

7th – L1 Youth Equitation Over Fences, CANADIAN BRED, ENUFF IS ENUFF, 2016, GELDING (THE NEXT DETAIL x JOSIES ON THE HUNT) breeder: ELIZABETH ROBERTS, DRESEDEN, ON, rider/owner: TESSA VOS, ADA, MI

8th – L1 Amt Western Riding, LAZY N SHY, 2013, MARE – rider/ owner: CYNTHIA D GLOVER, ELGIN, ON

8th– Rookie Amt Hunt Seat Equitation, CANADIAN BRED HUNTIN COWGIRLS, 2015, GELDING (HUNTIN FOR CHOCOLATE x GOOD AT BEING FIRST) breeder/rider/owner: JULIANNE SCHMUCKER, CALEDON, ON.

9th place in L1 Amt Select Hunt Seat Equitation, CANADIAN BRED TOTALLY UNDRESSED, and SANDRA DUHAMEL,

9th – L1 Amt Select Hunt Seat Equitation, CANADIAN BRED TOTALLY UNDRESSED, 2013, GELDING (DRESS WESTERN x TOTALLY INNOCENT) breeder: ROD JEFFRIES, SHANNONVILLE, ON, Canada rider/owner: SANDRA L DUHAMEL, VALCARON, ON.

9th – L1 Youth Western Pleasure (13 & Under), CANADIAN BRED COOLER IN BLUE, 2018, GELDING (VS CODE BLUE x SHES COOL N GOOD) breeder: ROD JEFFRIES, SHANNONVILLE, ON, rider: CLARA BRANDENBURG, BATAVIA, OH owner: KAREN BRANDENBURG, BATAVIA, OH

9th – L1 Amt Western Riding, CANADIAN BRED AN INNOCENT COWBOY, 2011, GELDING (GOODCOWBOYMARGARITA x A HOT WOMAN) Breeder: ROD JEFFRIES, SHANNONVILLE, ON,  owner/rider: LAUREN R KIRKENDALL, WARSAW, IN

10th– Rookie Amt Hunt Seat Equitation, FIND YOUR DRIVE, 2019, GELDING – rider/owner: JOHANNA MACMULLIN, TORONTO, ON.

10th – L1 Youth Walk Trot Hunt Seat Equitation, KEEPING SUNDI GOOD, 2015, GELDING rider: JORDAN CARNEY, KINCARDINE, ON,  owner: DANIELLE BANNERMAN, KINCARDINE, ON.

Multiple top 10 winner KEEPING SUNDI GOOD and JORDAN CARNEY

10th – Rookie Youth Western Riding, GOOD SWEET ANGEL, 2010, MARE rider/owner: ADRIANNA MACLEAN, NAPANEE, ON.

10th – Rookie Youth Western Pleasure, CANADIAN BRED COOLER IN BLUE, 2018, GELDING (VS CODE BLUE x SHES COOL N GOOD) breeder: ROD JEFFRIES, SHANNONVILLE, ON, rider: CLARA BRANDENBURG, BATAVIA, OH owner: KAREN BRANDENBURG, BATAVIA, OH

11th – L1 Youth Trail (13 & Under), CANADIAN BRED COOLER IN BLUE, 2018, GELDING (VS CODE BLUE x SHES COOL N GOOD) breeder: ROD JEFFRIES, SHANNONVILLE, ON,  rider: CLARA BRANDENBURG, BATAVIA, OH owner: KAREN BRANDENBURG

12th – Rookie Amt Western Riding, GOOD TO BE IRISH, 2016, GELDING rider/owner: JESSICA L MOSLEY-CAIRNCROSS, TINY, ON.

13th – L1 Amt Walk Trot Trail, VS CHECK MY IMPULSE, 2015, GELDING – owner/rider: SUSAN MANNING, RICHMOND HILL, ON.

13th – L1 Amt Select Western Horsemanship, IN FRONT OF THE LINE, 2014, GELDING – owner/rider: CLARE ELISABETH ROMAN, TORONTO, ON.

13th – L1 Amt Select Western Horsemanship, IN FRONT OF THE LINE, 2014, GELDING – owner/exhibitor: CLARE ELISABETH ROMAN, TORONTO, ON.

12th – Rookie Amt Western Riding, GOOD TO BE IRISH and JESSICA MOSLEY-CAIRNCROSS

14th – L1 Youth Walk Trot Hunter Under Saddle, KEEPING SUNDI GOOD, 2015, GELDING rider: JORDAN CARNEY, KINCARDINE, ON, Canada owner: DANIELLE BANNERMAN, KINCARDINE, ON.

15th – L1 Amt Select Showmanship at Halter, IN FRONT OF THE LINE, 2014, GELDING – owner/exhibitor: CLARE ELISABETH ROMAN, TORONTO, ON.

16th – Rookie Amt Ranch Riding, KEEPING SUNDI GOOD, 2015, GELDING owner/rider: DANIELLE BANNERMAN, KINCARDINE, ON.

16th– Rookie Amt Trail, REPEATED IMPULSE, 2010, MARE, owner/rider: MEGHAN ROY, CORNWALL, ON.

16th – Rookie Youth Trail, CANADIAN BRED COOLER IN BLUE, 2018, GELDING (VS CODE BLUE x SHES COOL N GOOD) breeder: ROD JEFFRIES, SHANNONVILLE, ON, rider: CLARA BRANDENBURG, BATAVIA, OH owner: KAREN BRANDENBURG, BATAVIA, OH

17th – L1 Amt Trail, CANADIAN BRED HUNTIN COWGIRLS, 2015, GELDING (HUNTIN FOR CHOCOLATE x GOOD AT BEING FIRST) – breeder/owner/rider: JULIANNE SCHMUCKER, CALEDON, ON.

19th – L1 Youth Walk Trot Trail, KEEPING SUNDI GOOD, 2015, GELDING – rider: JORDAN CARNEY, KINCARDINE, ON, Canada, owner: DANIELLE BANNERMAN, KINCARDINE, ON.

Categories
News Affiliates News

AQHA Hires Director of International Activities

The world’s largest equine breed registry hires Tate Eck as the AQHA director of international activities.

The American Quarter Horse Association is pleased to announce that Tate Eck has been named director of international activities. Eck will begin his new role on May 1.

“The love of the American Quarter Horse was instilled in me at a young age by my aunt who bred, raised and trained them for the rodeo and show arenas. I was given the opportunity to take my gift of teaching and my love of the horse to an international level as a clinician for the AQHA Educational Marketplace,” said Eck. “During these trips to Europe, I witnessed a new enthusiasm and desire to learn about the Quarter Horse and our western heritage. Promoting the American Quarter Horse on an international scale will be an honor. I look forward to meeting and working with the international affiliates and advancing AQHA into the future.”

As the director of international activities, Eck will be responsible for AQHA’s international member support by providing activities of value to the international membership through partnerships with AQHA international affiliates, U. S. Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE)/United States Department of Agriculture cooperator contract and programs sponsored through AQHA, such as Educational Marketplace. He will oversee policies and procedure

s to provide an overall direction of AQHA’s international affairs. Additionally, Eck will assist with maintaining and advancing AQHA’s international market by continuously examining, locating and developing international business relationships.

“We are proud to have Tate on board to serve our international members and their American Quarter Horses,” said Karl Stressman, AQHA chief executive officer. “He brings a broad skillset to the table alongside a long history of equine knowledge, and understands where our international members are coming from. We do business in over 90 countries and serve approximately 31,000 members and 440,000 registered American Quarter Horses and our goal is to provide more services to more members worldwide.”

Eck will lead an enthusiastic team that serves international affiliates and members, serve as the staff liaison for the AQHA International Committee, organize international events and travel internationally.

Eck received a master’s degree in agriculture education from North Dakota State University and also served as an equine science instructor at NDSU for 15 years. Eck brings over 30 years of experience in equine management and training. He is an avid supporter of AQHA and held multiple professional titles, such as the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association faculty president and is an AQHA Professional Horseman.   

For more information on AQHA staff, visit AQHA’s staff directory.

AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.

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News Member News Uncategorized

REMEMBERING NORMAN PICOV

Norm Picov passed away with his family by his side on Saturday, February 18 at the age of 86.
AJAX DOWNS, THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 – Community, family, philanthropy, and his beloved horses.


These were some of the most important things to Norm Picov, a man determined to grow the sport and community he loved in his hometown of Ajax. Taking the reins from his father Alex Picov in 1952, one of the founders of Quarter Horse racing in Ontario, Norm transformed his family’s farm, Picov Downs, into a state-of-the-art Quarter Horse track and casino known today as Ajax Downs.

Today, Ajax Downs’ popular Quarter horse racing season attracts thousands of fans each year completing Norm’s vision of bringing the community together to enjoy fast horses and family fun. It was important to Norm for fans to get up close to the horses and for the younger generation to engage in the sport at his new track. Through family events, he wanted to encourage the love of horses and benefit his hometown and community.  

The annual Family Fun Day at Ajax Downs raises funds for the local hospital, which has always been important to Norm, his wife Lynda, and the entire family.

Norm dearly loved breeding and racing horses, coming by his passion honestly as his father was well known for his horse business after arriving in Canada in 1931 and settling in what is now Ajax.  Alex and Norm opened the Quarter Horse Racetrack in 1969 on his family farm with a couple other horsemen where they funded the purses for races themselves. Within a few years the track opened a horse complex, arena and tack shop involving community horse shows and stallion stations. Pari-mutuel wagering was added in the 1980s.

The new Ajax Downs racetrack opened with a casino in 2009, as part of the now defunct slots-at-racetracks revenue-sharing program, and Ontario Quarter Horse racing and breeding prospered.

Norm was honoured by the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2016 with a special award for his “dedicated service and unique contributions” to Canada’s horse racing industry.

At the racetrack, Norm’s Picov Cattle Company’s horses, and those it sold, won hundreds of races and were a regular in the top five stables each season. In 2020 and 2021, Picov Cattle Company topped all breeders in the province. Picov Cattle Company also bred one of the richest Quarter Horses in the history of the track, Fiesty Icon, a son of Sugarman Perry, who was a two-time Horse of the Year and earner of over $350,000.

Norm would rarely miss a race by one of his homebred horses. If he wasn’t at the track, he was watching online from his office at the Tack Shop. In recent years, his homebred horses have been named in honour of Hanover Hill, where his farm is located, as well as various family and friends. Among those was multiple stakes winner Hanover Hill Chalsee, Hanover Hill Lynda, and Hanover Hill Teresa. Norm was also looking very forward to his namesake racing this year as a 2-year-old, Stormin Norman.

Norm passed away with his family by his side on Saturday, February 18 at the age of 86. Condolences poured in from the horse racing community and the Town of Ajax.

Ralph Pearson, also integral in the development of Quarter Horse Racing in Ontario, remembers the lengths Norm went to in order to bolster the horse population in the early days of Picov Downs.

“Norm went to the States and picked up a load of horses. There would be 20 to 30 horses and we’d sit and wait for the horses to come out of the truck. We’d buy them and race them,” Pearson said. “So that’s actually how it got going. It was a whole bunch of guys who just enjoyed it.”

The Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation was quick to offer its condolences to the Picov family, noting that Picov’s support for the hospital went beyond the contribution to the MRI campaign.

In 2010 the family donated $100,000 to Ajax-Pickering Hospital’s Image is Everything campaign – the largest cheque the hospital’s foundation had ever received – for the purchase of its first MRI machine.

“Since 2010, Norm’s beloved quarter horse racetrack has hosted ‘Family Fun Day’ every August in support of the Ajax Pickering Hospital,” said a post from the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation.  “Thank you, Norm, for your kindness, philanthropy and commitment to horse racing and our community.”

Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier said the Picov family and quarter horse racing have brought together neighbouring communities and “advanced the development” of the town. “Norm’s kindness, philanthropy and commitment to growing horse racing in Canada, and here in Ajax, will not be forgotten.”

Woodbine Entertainment’s CEO Jim Lawson said “Norman will be dearly missed. Thoughts are with his family,”

Norm followed in his father’s footsteps in more ways than horses; he loved horses but also people. He was widely known as an honest and trustworthy businessman and would take the time to chat with anyone. He always wanted to know about his horses and about what was going on at the track. He religiously read the program before each race day and always knew when his horses were running. He spent his later years, just like his dad, in the tack shop, in his favourite chair, waiting to talk horses.  

Norm was quoted once as saying ‘every day is fun. I love it’; his enthusiasm for the family business always stayed true and infectious to everyone around him.

Norman Picov will be remembered for his love of family, horses, and his community. He saw himself as ‘just a farmer’ but was seen by the rest as a force to be reckoned with. He will be missed by many and remembered by all that crossed his path. 


 
Ajax Downs’ 54th Quarter Horse Racing Season is set to open on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m. For information about our special event Sundays, stakes races, and news, please visit www.ajaxdowns.com. For information on how you can buy a Quarter Horse to race, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at www.qrooi.com.
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Blog General Post

Barn & Stable First Aid

Every Barn & Trailer should be equipped with a first aid kit that has safe & practical items for an emergency! Both a equine & human emergencies should be considered for these!

ORDER NOW

Kits are $10 each (tax included) Team Canada receives $4 from each kit sold to support their fundraising goals for the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup.

Every Barn & Trailer should be equipped with a first aid kit that has safe & practical items for an emergency! Both a equine & human emergencies should be considered for these! 

Keeping in mind you should be prepared to provide emergency health assistance until Paramedics or a Vet can attend. Please keep in mind that any emergency care you provide should only consist of knowledge you have & are confident doing until professionals can attend. 

When an emergency arises the most important thing and one of the hardest is to stay calm. 

Depending on the nature of the injuries you maybe able to manage the problem on your own with items from your First Aid Kits. 

If Not 

  • Call 911 or a vet needs to be called send someone to do that immediately (get the professionals to you as quickly as possible) 
  • Do a visual examination of the equine or human to determine the nature of the injuries.
  • If Paramedics are attending send someone to the roadside to flag them down direct them to the patient.
  • If a Vet is attending, make some notes on the horses condition and call the vet back to update. (A vet usually takes longer to attend)

I hope this will give you a better understanding of the importance of a stocked first aid kit in the barn or trailer. 

EOQHA is selling an assortment of first aid kits suitable for home, barn, trailer, or vehicle. 

A portion of all sales will go to the association to help support the 2023 Hot Hot Sizzler AQHA Circuit.

To Order please email qhlover66@gmail.com

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AQHA News News Uncategorized

AQHA Cumulative Breeder: Vince Amlin

Vince Amlin of West Lorne, Ontario, has bred and registered over 220 American Quarter Horses since 1970.

AQHA | January 23, 2023

Each year, the American Quarter Horse Association honors breeders who have dedicated their livelihoods to maintaining the integrity of the American Quarter Horse breed. These horsemen, horsewomen and their families see their biggest accomplishments and proudest moments in the horses they breed.

AQHA is honored to recognize 2022 AQHA Cumulative Breeder Vince Amlin of West Lorne, Ontario.

Vince has numerous AQHA accomplishments to be proud of, such as several AQHA World Championship Show qualifications, grand champion mares, all around titles and superior awards. Scotches Kinda Hot also added a register of merit to his list of achievements. 

Vince’s involvement in AQHA led him to be inducted into the Ontario Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame in 2007 and provided opportunities to showcase the talent of the horses he produced throughout Canada and the United States.

AQHA is proud to recognize the 2022 50-year Cumulative and Legacy Breeders at the AQHA Breeder Banquet, presented by Teton Ridge, during the 2023 AQHA Convention. The banquet is slated for 6 p.m. Sunday, February 26, at the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. AQHA will also recognize the 2022 100-Year Breeders; 75-Year Breeders; AQHA Best Remuda and International Best Remuda; the 2021 AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year; Top Ranching Heritage-Bred Sale of the Year; and 2022 Top Money-Earning Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year. View the list of breeders who will be recognized.

For additional questions about the AQHA Breeder Banquet, email breeders@aqha.org.  

For more information on the 2023 AQHA Convention, visit www.aqha.com/convention.