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 planned to offer a good, affordable plan using existing infrastructure and technology…

The idea was not well received by the powers that be at this year’s convention, despite support from most members, breeders, and competitors who contracted me before I left, as well as a few directors. The strongest opposition was that it would cause “unintended consequences”. Only one person has cared to elaborate on what that meant to them. This is a term I am quite familiar with from working in several different industries, and part of the reason I put extra time into my plan is to avoid as many of those as I can. A plan that never really had an opportunity to leave my briefcase.

I gave up all my free time for months to work on this project, 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 at least take a survey on the issues (not a cheesy marketing survey - actually have your voice heard) or vote online, you have to ask for it. Through the proper channels. Ask AQHA to form a TASK FORCE or WORKING GROUP - 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 a path forward. Change will not happen if you don’t ask for it.

Here is an interesting fact I learned 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, but it appears they are still shrinking by a couple of thousand a year.

AQHA needs to be strong and vibrant to survive in this modern age.

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).

  • Currently, to participate in any part of the membership meeting, you must attend in person.