QH Horse Owners Love Their horses

& Members should Be Able To Attend parts of The Convention And provide input on rule changes, if they choose. 

without spending a dime.

I submitted a BYLAW AMENDMENT FOR ARTICLE II, SECTION 5 to allow for online voting and a few other recommendations to add some accountability and transparency at AQHA.

While I offered a good, affordable plan using existing infrastructure and technology…

It was not well received by the powers that be at this year’s convention, despite strong support from most members, breeders, competitors, and directors (just not today, I guess).

I gave a lot of my time and energy to this project this year, and while it didn’t go as well as I would have liked, it set the stage for moving forward. If you want to attend the convention virtually and vote online, you have to ask for it. Through the proper channels. Ask AQHA to form a TASK FORCE - they should put someone like me (or me) on it - my plan is solid. You also need to email your directors to let them know you would like to see online voting. Change will not happen if you don’t ask for it.

Here are a few interesting facts I learn in Las Vegas: Only 953 people were registered to attend the Convention this year. A director told me in conversation that the average age of AQHA members is 61. Only 402 votes were logged on the devices to overturn the 2-year rule. I am waiting for the 2025 Annual Report to confirm Membership numbers.

HERE ARE A FEW FACTS:

Sources: 2024 AQHA Annual Reports and 2024 IRS Form 990s.

  • AQHA’s assets increased by nearly 150% in five years (2019-2024), to over 95 million, while their membership is shrinking.

  • Executive salaries have increased BY over half a million in the last couple of years.

  • AQHA is a 501(c)5 - a type of tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code that is primarily focused on labor, agricultural, or horticultural purposes. These organizations are exempt from federal income tax and are typically formed to promote the interests of their members in these fields. Examples include labor unions and agricultural cooperatives.

  • Membership numbers have declined by 35% since 2004 (loss of over 125,000 members).

  • Only .38% of members attended the annual membership meeting in 2024 (870 people, which includes directors).

  • But to vote - as is your right as a member - you must attend this one meeting in person.