AQHA September/October 2015 Magazine | Page 19

YOUTH DIVISION Kim Johnson In the last 12 months we have been in the process of organising Trans Tasman 2015 which will be held in October in New Zealand. The Trans Tasman Youth Team has been picked and we wish them all the best. The AQHA is honoured to be hosting Youth World Cup 2016 at AELEC next year and we will be holding our YWC Camp in January 2016. Q15 was very successful for the youth. Activities galore, lots of fun and thank you to the youth and parents who helped fundraise. The most successful Youth World Cup Team attended USA in July 2014 and came home with the Bronze Team Medal over all. I was so proud of our team and coach and the support from the parents was outstanding. It all went into the success of this team, thank you all. I would like to thank the office staff, the Board and my family, for their support throughout the year. AMATEUR REPORT Terry McSweeney Thank you to our Amateur Division on being very proactive in the last 12 months. Amateur Clinics, subsidised by the AQHA Amateur Division, were held in SA, WA, QLD, NT, NSW and VIC over the last 12 months. (NB: the free Tasmanian Amateur Clinic was held previously.) This has been a great effort by the Amateur Division. The Amateur Trans Tasman team has been chosen to compete in New Zealand in October this year and we wish them all the best. The Amateur Division Committee is working hard for you the Amateur and I hope that all Amateurs continue to support the Amateur Division in this coming show season. If you have any ideas regarding Amateur involvement, please do not hesitate to contact your Amateur Division. I wish to thank the Amateur subcommittee, Andrew Shield, Paula Balgera and Carol Ricketts for their input over the last 12 months and Kim Johnson, who is an advisor to our Subcommittee. Recently the AmQHA Horsemanship Camp was held at Burpengary, Queensland, with 40 Amateurs in attendance. This has been a great success and I hope that this type of camp will continue to be held in future years. I hope all of our Amateurs have a successful and enjoyable 2015/2016 show season. INVESTIGATIVE REPORT Peter Bellden The Investigative Committee has been formed by the AQHA Board of Directors, to handle any complaints received re incidents or breaking of rules at shows and events. The Investigative Committee has the authority to suspend showing rights and impose fines. Over the last 12 months the committee has presided over 4 incidents and we hope that in 2015/2016 we will not be called upon to investigate any complaints. JUDGING REPORT Glenn Wyse 2014/15 saw the AQHA conduct two Judges Seminars. The first being in August 2014 at the Camden Valley Inn, NSW, with some 35 interested judges and members attending. In July 2015 the AQHA, in conjunction with AmQHA, conducted a joint Judges Seminar in QLD with 44 judges and interested members attending, within this group we had 3 from NZ, 1 South African and 3 New Caledonians. This seminar was run by Jackie Krshka and Holly Hoover, two leading facilitators from the American Quarter Horse Association. At this seminar we had 13 who sat for their Oceania exam and 9 sitting for their applicant/upgrade. It has been tremendous to see the interest from the membership in the judging seminars over the last 12 months. AQHA looks to continue a close working relationship with AmQHA over the years to come. STUD BOOK Simon Myers The 2014/2015 year saw the introduction of a number of small incentive style programs that recognised breeders of home bred horses and horses born here in Australia, that were offered at all State Championships Shows. The High Point Breeders incentives at Q15 were very successful. The committee is also looking at other alternatives to support our breeders. more registration applications being lodged in future years. The AQHA have included a Performance Registry to come into effect 1st August 2015. We envisage that this will be a welcome addition to the Association which should capture horses that otherwise would not be eligible for any type of registration, as well as maintaining the integrity of the Studbook. The rules and regulations surrounding this new program can be obtained in the new 2015 AQHA Handbook. We look forward to monitoring its success. CATTLE AND TIMED EVENTS REPORT Glenn Wyse In 2014/15, $27,500 worth of incentives were awarded to a cross section of events from Campdrafting, Team Roping, Cow Horse to Barrel Racing. The AQHA took the opportunity to sponsor the highest placed horse, rider and member combination, who were financial members of the AQHA, at the Warwick Gold Cup and Landmark Classic Draft, along with 20 small rug sponsorships to Campdrafts throughout Australia. With added prize money at the Q15 on the cattle and timed events, there was an increase in entries. AQHA has seen the revival of the Cow Horse class in Australia, by offering incentives at the Nationals and has seen entries climb from one, two years ago to 22 this year and will continue to support the growth in this area. Within this portfolio we have also supported the Team Ropers and Barrel Racers with incentives throughout the year at major competitions. Vicki Schiller and Calla Matthews represented Australia in July this year, Barrel Racing in China against their countries top contenders. The AQHA looks to continue the support and development of the cattle and timed events areas portfolio. Breeding returns are up 23.5% from the previous year and this will follow with September • October 2015 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine Page 19