Horses are like shoes, there is a color and style for everyone. In this post I am giving a quick summary of four major horse breed associations.
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA):
Located in Amarillo, Texas, the AQHA is the largest equine registry in the world. In 1940 a group of ranchers got together with one goal in mind, to preserve the short, stocky, good-minded horse that those ranchers preferred. The mission of the AQHA is to preserve the quarter horse line as well as showcase the uses of the modern quarter horse. AQHA is divided into multiple sections: ranching, racing, riding, and showing. All of these sections have different events for members, but promote the versatility of the American Quarter Horse. Whether you like to ride slow in the western pleasure pen, or go from 0 to 40 in a few seconds, AQHA has something to offer.
American Paint Horse Association (APHA):
We can credit the creation of the American Paint Horse Association to Rebecca Tyler Lockhart. She always loved the look of the Quarter Horse, but they weren’t flashy enough. The first American Paint Horse was registered in 1962. Like AQHA, APHA offers different programs from recreational riding to showing. The mission of APHA is to promote meaningful experiences and preserving the American Paint Horse.
The Jockey Club
The Jockey Club is the breed registry association for Thoroughbreds. Founded in 1894, The Jockey Club was created to promote Thoroughbred horse racing. The association is dedicated to improving the breed as well as create a favorable opinion of horse racing in general. Another main mission of the association is to keep record. The Jockey Club is a founding member of the International Stud Book Committee. This committee is in charge of over 60 stud books and maintaining individual rules for each book. The association is also a leader in critical areas of the industry and improving them. These areas range anywhere from medicine to life after racing.
Arabian Horse Association (AHA):
The Arabian Horse Association is a merged group of American and International Arabian Horse Associations. This association was made to have a focus point for Arabian owners favorite recreational and competitive activities. The main goal of this association is to promote the values of Arabians. The Arabian Horse Association has plenty of events all across the country year-round. They also offer over 500 competitions throughout the year, offering 23 different contests to compete in from halter classes to traditional costume classes.
If you want to learn more, visit these association websites for more information!
AQHA: www.aqha.com
APHA: www.apha.com
The Jockey Club: www.jockeyclub.com
The Equine Eccentric 