AQHA September/October 2015 Magazine | Page 6

The start of the new points showing year is here and enthusiasm is abounding with preparations and activity for the exciting procedures that surround attending horse shows. There have been a lot of clinics held, and a lot of new horse and rider partnerships getting ready for their show season. A lot of work has been undertaken by AQHA to get the Professional Trainers and Clinicians Division underway. This group is about having trainers and coaches accredited, through having undertaken activities such as Safety First, Working with Children Checks, and OH&S qualifications, thus ensuring that any Professional Trainer that is on the AQHA list has, at least, these qualifications. Many trainers have other accreditations on top of those just specified, but the idea is to have trainers meet all the workplace health safety requirements, as layed out by government legislation. This means that AQHA members who access these trainers know that they have the aforementioned skill set, as a minimum. The AQHA has had a successful trading year for 2014/2015, with careful consideration by the Board, and with the assistance of General Manager, Carol Ricketts, in her management of the office. The Performance Registry has just started accepting applications of horses and already we have 11 horses registered. This allows many horses that were not previously able to be registered in any form to be registered in this Performance Registry, so as to be able to compete. AQHA is avidly addressing the list of "to do's" that surround the 2016 AQHA YOUTH WORLD CUP event that shall be held in Tamworth June 23 to July 3. Already we have 13 nations that shall be fielding teams - it is sure to be a great show. Make sure it is on your calendar as a "must see" event, and come and cheer on your favourite team, and hopefully your horse with one of these international riders sitting aboard! Spring also sees the start of the foaling and breeding season, so make sure that if you are breeding to a Quarter Horse, that it is registered and has had all the required fees and checks done, such as the Initial Breeding Fee for stallions, BEFORE you breed. The AQHA Annual General Meeting is fast approaching, this year being held at the Hotel Jen, Brisbane, on 3 October, commencing at 1pm, followed that evening by our Annual Awards Ceremony. I look forward to catching up with many of you there. Pauline Stuart-Fox President 2014/2015 Page 6 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • September • October 2015