2023 AQHA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE                       

President – Kenneth Banks of Schulenburg, Texas

First Vice President –  James "Jim" Hunt of Faith, South Dakota

Second Vice President – Jeff Tebow, Piedmont, Oklahoma

Member – Jim Brinkman, Ericson, Nebraska

Member – Lori Bucholz, Waterloo, Nebraska

AQHA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – Karl R. Stressman

AQHA

• Established March 1940 – Fort Worth

• AQHA International Headquarters – Amarillo

Membership

• 2022 AQHA Membership – 232,318

• 2022 American Quarter Horse Youth Association Membership – 17,285

Transfers & Registration

• Horses registered by AQHA since 1940 – more than 6 million worldwide

• 2022 Registrations – 74,728

• 2022 Horse Transfers of Ownership – 122,145

Programs

Horseback Riding Program – members log hours spent horseback and earn various awards.

American Quarter Horse Division:

• 2022 Enrollment – 8,545
• 2022 Awards Presented – 1,174
• Total Hours Ridden – 284,092

All-Breeds Division:

• 2022 Enrollment – 1,037

• 2022 Awards Presented – 283

• Total Hours Ridden – 46,457

AQHA Professional Horsemen – group of dedicated horse-industry professionals devoted to promoting the American Quarter Horse and serving AQHA members by offering training assistance and other professional services in a variety of areas. Horsemen and -women were represented in 20 countries, 6 continents, all 50 states, and 4 Canadian provinces.

• Total number of members in 2022 – 729
• Number of domestic Professional Horsemen and -women in 2022 – 672
• Number of international Professional Horsemen and -women in 2022 – 57

AQHA Judges – are held to the highest quality of standards and help improve the quality of welfare of registered American Quarter Horses in AQHA-approved competition.

• Total number of AQHA judges in 2022– 1,124

• Number of domestic judges in 2022– 663

• Number of international judges in 2022– 95

Shows – represent a major segment of the equine industry. American Quarter Horse shows offer youth, amateur, Select amateur and open classes for horsemen and -women the opportunity to compete with their American Quarter Horses, testing their skills against other horses and riders for AQHA halter and performance points, as well as cash awards and prizes.

• 2022 Total Shows – 1,927
• 2022 U.S. Shows – 1,741
• 2022 International Shows – 241
• 2022 Total Show Entries – 841,581
• 2022 Total Special Events – 277 
• 2022 Total Special-Event entries – 12,186
• 2022 Farnam AQHA and Adequan® Select World Championship Shows entries – 7,543
• 2022 AQHYA World Championship Show entries – 4,406
• 2022 Nutrena AQHA East Level 1 Championships entries  – 4,831
• 2022 Nutrena AQHA West Level 1 Championships entries  – 2,526
• 2022 AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships Entries – 1,685
• 2022 AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championships, presented by the Four Sixes Ranch, entries – 424
• 2022 National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance Championship Show – 525
• 2022 AQHA Cowboy Mounted Shooting Championships entries – 60

Ranching Heritage Programs – Promoting the ranch horse is the goal of the AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders program. Ranching Heritage Breeders are those who breed and raise the ranch-type horse, which still remains at the core of AQHA and epitomizes the breed’s versatility. Ranching Heritage Breeders embody the longevity, integrity and honesty of the ranching tradition.

• 2022Ranching Heritage Challenge Total Entries – 104

• 2022 Total Ranching Heritage Breeders – 443

• 2022 Total Ranching Heritage Challenge-Eligible Horses – 189,035

Races – developed from the village lanes of colonial America, American Quarter Horse racing brings the thrill and excitement of closely competing American Quarter Horses racing at peak speeds near 55 miles per hour. The Bank of America Racing Challenge Program provides more opportunities for American Quarter Horses to continue their racing careers.

• 2022 Total Starters in American Quarter Horse Races – 826
• Average Purse Per Race – $21,684
• Average Earnings Per Starter – $12,522
• Total Purses – $143,678,679
• 2022 Bank of America Racing Challenge Enrollments – 2,717
• Total Challenge Purses – $3,236,561
• Nominator Awards – $107,061

International – serves and supports international members and affiliate organizations through the implementation of innovative programs and services that accommodate a diverse set of needs to enhance the value of maintaining AQHA membership globally. AQHA International accomplished the following in 2022:

• Translated key resources into the five core languages for international members.

• Awarded the 2022 International Best Remuda award to Fazenda Gruta Azul in Mato Grosso do Sul.

• Facilitated the Quality Samples Program in Slovenia, Denmark and Uruguay.

• Sponsored 20 virtual/in-person International Educational Marketplace clinics hosted in all four international membership regions: Canada, Europe, Latin America and Australasia-Africa.

• Held two successful international on-site booths in Kreuth, Germany, and in Mexico City, Mexico.

• Supported international members on their journey to compete at an AQHA world championship show through the AQHA World Show Adviser Program.

American Quarter Horse Youth Association – designed for American Quarter Horse enthusiasts 18 years of age and younger, established on the premise of expanding youth participation with and knowledge of the American Quarter Horse. AQHYA currently has more than 17,000 members.

• Scholarships through the American Quarter Horse Foundation, AQHYA programs, youth contests and youth leadership recognition.

• AQHYA Board of Directors is an elected board of youth leaders who represent and work on behalf of youth members from around the world.

• AQHA Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program showcases the stock being bred and raised by AQHA Ranching Heritage members by matching donated weanlings with AQHYA members.

• Youth Racing Experience Program gives youth a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating world of American Quarter Horse racing, with the chance to earn scholarships.

• Youth Excellence Seminar, where youth meet friends from around the world, join in fun workshops and social activities, and grow their leadership skills over three days each summer.

• AQHYA World Championship Show is the world’s largest single-breed world championship horse show for youth.

• AQHYA World Championship Contests develop skills and knowledge, compete for prizes and have fun during the AQHYA World.

• Horse judging contests challenge youth and young adults to learn evaluation, critical thinking and public speaking along with industry knowledge.

• AQHLearn, a free online educational platform helping youth learn about horses, funded through the American Quarter Horse Foundation.

• AQHLead, a young-adult development program for the equine industry’s future leaders, funded through the American Quarter Horse Foundation.

• AQHA Emerging Leader, a young-adult award, recognizing the accomplishments of the Association’s exceptional members.

American Quarter Horse Association Publications - The American Quarter Horse Journal, established in 1948, was redesigned in 2020 into a lifestyle publication that celebrates the American Quarter Horse and the lifestyle that AQHA’s members have built around their horses. The magazine, which is also now the official member publication of AQHA, goes to all member households eight times a year as a benefit of their membership in AQHA.

• The Journal contains articles about craftsmen, people and horses in the American Quarter Horse industry, as well as features on ranches.

Quarter Racing Journal – established in January 1988, the Quarter Racing Journal is the official racing publication of the American Quarter Horse racing industry, printed in March and December and mailed to all racing-interested members.
 

Networks – AQHA keeps horse enthusiasts informed and educated through a variety of media platforms.

• AQHA.com
• YouTube.com/aqhavideo
• Q-Racing Video
• E-newsletters
• Facebook – facebook.com/aqha1
• Instagram – @officialaqha, @officialaqhya
• Twitter – @AQHA and @AQHYA
• Pinterest – pinterest.com/aqha1

• LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/American-quarter-horse-association

• TikTok – @officialaqha 

** All numbers are as of 12/31/22.

American Quarter Horse Foundation

2023 Board of Trustees

President –  Kenneth Banks of Schulenburg, Texas

First Vice President – James "Jim" Hunt of Faith, South Dakota

Second Vice President – Jeff Tebow, Piedmont, Oklahoma

Member –Jim Brinkman, Ericson, Nebraska

Member – Lori Bucholz, Waterloo, Nebrasksa

Appointed Member – Robin Merrill, Poolville, Texas

Appointed Member – Catherine Nicholas, Douglas, Wyoming

Appointed Member – Larry Bell, Midland, Texas

Appointed Member – Kathy Headley, Bloomington, Indiana

Chief Foundation Officer – Chris Sitz

The American Quarter Horse Foundation connects horses and people through charitable giving to develop and support programs that preserve our horse’s legacy and further the overall well-being of the American Quarter Horse and the people who comprise the Quarter Horse family.

• Exceeded fundraising goal by more than $1,120,000

• More than $88,000 awarded to 31 equine-assisted activities and therapies centers to help them provide freedom and empowerment to their clients.

• More than $354,000 awarded in scholarships to help offset the cost of higher education for 126 AQHYA members. 

More than $305,000 was given to grants to 6 institutions researching equine welfare, infectious diseases, genetics, performance injuries and reproduction.

• Inducted the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Class of 2022 during the second annual American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Reunion Celebration. The Class of 2022 included Big Step, Corona Cartel, Easter King, Impressive, Sun Frost and Topsail Whiz, James V.A. Cater, Jerry Wells, John Andreini, Mary Hopkins, Sandy Arledge, and Walter and Nancy Hughes.

Networks – The American Quarter Horse Foundation shares its programs through a variety of mediums.

• Facebook – facebook.com/aqhhalloffame

• Instagram – @aqhfoundation

** Foundation numbers are as of 12/31/2022.