AQHA Mission Statement

AQHA's role in preserving the integrity of the breed is expanding on a daily basis.

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AQHA Mission Statement

To record and preserve the pedigree of the American Quarter Horse while maintaining the integrity of the breed and welfare of its horses.
To provide beneficial services for its members which enhance and encourage American Quarter Horse ownership and participation.
To develop diverse educational programs, material and curriculum that will position AQHA as the leading resource organization in the equine industry.
To generate growth of AQHA membership via the marketing, promotion, advertising and publicity of the American Quarter Horse.
To ensure the American Quarter Horse is treated humanely, with dignity, respect and compassion at all times.

The American Quarter Horse established a bold reputation as the greatest cattle roundup and trail driving horse in history and would never be forgotten by early American racing enthusiasts. To ensure the unique qualities of this breed did not perish, a group of American Quarter Horse enthusiasts met in 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas, to establish what was to become the largest equine breed registry in the world, the American Quarter Horse Association.

Located in Amarillo, Texas, AQHA has registered more than 6 million American Quarter Horses and serves more than 230,000 members worldwide. AQHA functions as the official record keeping and governing body of the American Quarter Horse industry. AQHA records all American Quarter Horse ownership, processes approved show and race results, catalogs performance and produce data on all American Quarter Horses, maintains association funds and publicizes the American Quarter Horse industry.

In addition, AQHA maintains current statistics on ownership in each state and country, as well as American Quarter Horse population figures. AQHA's role in preserving the integrity of the breed is expanding on a daily basis. Whether American Quarter Horses are still being used in traditional ranching operations, for showing, racing or pleasure, AQHA strives to provide services beneficial to all Association members and ultimately the American Quarter Horse.