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DIRECTOR REPORTS- 2025 / 2026
JOANNE GREGORY Portfolio: Judges Report
The introduction of the Limited Judges ticket has been a great success so far with around 30 members showing their interest in applying for this judges ticket and already completed the first on line training phase.
To date we have had two members pass and are happy to congratulate Katrina Lewis and Carla Cox as new Limited Judges. The Limited Judging ticket is a new initiative where applicants can complete their judges test-ing over an extended amount of time at their own pace.
Applicants have to attend an online training session where members of the judging sub- committee provide valuable information on how to judge the classes as well as judges re-sponsibilities. Once the online training has been completed applicants contact Leah at the AQHA office and she will upload the theory and video tests onto the AQHA iCompete portal for the applicant to complete in their own time.
Once the applicant is successful and passed by the board they are granted their Limited judges ticket and are able to judge Halter, HUS, Western Pleasure, Hunter In Hand and Showmanship. Then if the Limited judge wishes to upgrade to an associate judge they can complete the testing to add on the other classes at their own pace.
If any members wish to gain more information on the Limited Judges system please feel free to contact Leah at the AQHA office.
Joanne Gregory AQHA Director – Judges Chairperson
LORELEI PAYNE Portfolio: Traditional Report
It has been a hard year with weather conditions trying to organise clinics for educational pur-poses. Olivia Palfreyman and myself had clinics prepared for both NSW and QLD but due to unforeseen circumstances these have had to be cancelled.
Western Dressage was brought back again to the AQHA Nationals was well supported with Amateur, Youth and Open classes much to my pleasure.
LIZ KEATING Portfolio: Youth Report
I am pleased to present my end of year report to you. The Youth Portfolio has had another productive year. Some of our achievements are as follows:
1. Free Youth Memberships for the 2025 / 2026 year. To be able to access every child, we have offered a free youth membership for this coming year. The membership will come without the magazine option, but you will be able to view the online magazine through the AQHA website.
We are hoping this will encourage new youth members to join to enjoy our beloved Quarter Horses, be up to date with all things Youth, be eligible to attend our free youth clinics offered in each State.
2. Free Youth Clinics. We are offering FREE one day clinics assisted by our AQHA Professional Horsemen in each State, offering 2 clinics per State. We have already had a clinic in Western Australia with AQHA Pro Horsemen Karen Nicoletto, which was very well received, and a clinic with AQHA Pro Horsemen Dave Caleo in NSW, which from all accounts was great fun. The next clinic will be at Glenburn Victoria with AQHA Professional Horsemen Kate Elliot on the 18th October. AQHA Pro Horsemen Lorelei Payne will be holding a one day clinic in QLD in October, date and time TBA. If you are interested in attending any of these please call the office and put your name down. Information on any other upcoming clinics in your State will be advertised on the AQHA Facebook page and website. If you are interested in being a part of a clinic, or have any question about a clinic near you, please contact either myself or the AQHA office for information, and keep a watch out on the socials.
3. Our major fundraising Youth Online Stallion Auction was an incredible success. With a grand total of $ 13,950.00 being raised to going towards educational opportunities, free clinics and memberships for our AQHA youth. Thanks goes to our Stallions and their owner’ s! Thank you for supporting our future. Black N Dynamic – Triandibo Quarter Horse Stud and Trish Wettenhall CSR Dual Glo – Marshall and Lezlie Wier
As I have been judging up in North Qld and I have noticed a lot of Qhorses in the show hunter classes with youth riding so I will be reaching out to the show world to promote our wonderful Quarter Horse Performance World.
Regards Lorelei Payne AQHA Professional Horsemen Traditional Chairperson
Reach for the Roan – Rosemary Webb Desire A Little Rex – Kim & Fred Johnson & Cuttabar Quarter Horse Stud Ozzy Cat – Sean O’ Hanlon – Crazy Train Partnership Heavy Metal – Jodie Mearns & Chris Ware KQR Potentially Sizzlin – Jason Looby & Chris Davie at Kenlock QH Stud Tindarre Cowboystouchdown – Tiffany Moore Precedence – Lin and Taylas Rabig Spots Hottish – Buffalo Ranch
This is the second year in a row we have offered incredible stallions for our online auction, seeing this auction growing momentum is exciting for our youth. Stay tuned for next year’ s offerings, and if you have a stallion you would like to donate to our fundraising cause, please contact myself or the office.
4. Q 25 National Show – Our Youth AGM is held at the National show every year. I would like to congratulate the Youth Division on your appointment’ s and hope to hear from you with your ideas, as this is your division. This year the welcome BBQ auction was combined with the Youth and Amateur Trans Tasman teams. Over $ 7000 was raised and divided equally with team members to go towards their fundraising goals. Thanks goes to everyone who supported the teams by donating for auction and also bidding on items.
5. Trans Tasman – 2025 The Trans Tasman is an international event seeing Australian and New Zealand youth and Amateur’ s compete for their country. A week long event with educational clinics every day, finishing off with a friendly but fierce competition at the end of the week, this event will be held from the 29th September to the 4th October at Tatura Park Victoria. We invite the you all to come and barrack for our Aussies. More information can be found on the Trans Tasman Facebook page, where you can find regular updates.
I would like to thank my sub committee, Kim Johnson and Dave Caleo, Gemma Clarke our AQHA General Manager, Ricky Glen our AQHA President and the BOD for your ongoing help and support. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or ideas.
Liz Keating Youth Chairperson
2025 AQHA SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER ISSUE