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The American Quartrer Horse Journal December 7, 2011
The Ranching Heritage Breeders program has already been heralded as one of the most innovative programs ever to stimulate the sales of ranch horses.
Launched in July, the AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders program has already been heralded as one of the most innovative programs ever to stimulate the sales of ranch horses. To date, more than 80 ranches have applied and been approved as AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders. In addition, almost 300 2011 foals have already been nominated to the AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge.
Deadline Extended!Because of the holidays and many end-of-year activities, the deadline to enter the Ranching Heritage Challenge – Fort Worth has been extended to January 6.
If you were holding off getting your entries in, you have one more week to get your entries in for this unique event for horses bred by Ranching Heritage Breeders.
You’ll have the chance to run for more than $13,500 in added money.
Exciting Additions
Now, AQHA’s Ranching Council announces two exciting additions to the Ranching Heritage program. First, for 2011 and 2012, ranches and horse owners have the opportunity to nominate weanlings and older horses at discounted rates. For 2011 and 2012 only, the Ranching Council and AQHA Executive Committee approved the following nomination payments to make a horse eligible for the Ranching Heritage Challenge:
For 2011 and 2012, foals bred by a Ranching Heritage Breeder can be nominated into the Challenge for the fee applicable for their age.
For instance, before December 31, 2011:• Weanlings pay $25• Yearlings pay $100• 2-year-olds pay $150• 3-year-olds pay $200
In future years, penalties will apply to missed payments; however, no penalties or back payments will be incurred for older horses if they are nominated in 2011 or 2012. However, you save money the earlier you nominate the horse and add to its value by having it nominated to the program. All future payments will have to be made to keep the horse in the program.
These funds will be used for purse money at Ranching Heritage Challenge events starting in 2013.
New Divisions Added The AQHA Ranching Council also recognized the need to meet the needs of exhibitors by adding both a limited open division and including both non-pro and amateur divisions. Adding these divisions allows for the widest range of exhibitors to experience competing with their ranch horses.
2012 Ranching Heritage Challenge Events In 2012, AQHA will have two inaugural Ranching Heritage Challenge events to launch the program. These will be entry-fee only events and horses do not have to be nominated. The first competition will be January 13, 2012, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The second Ranching Heritage Challenge is tentatively scheduled for August 31, 2012, in Rapid City, South Dakota, in partnership with the South Dakota Reined Cow Horse Futurity.
AQHA will add $10,000 to each event to be split between the open and amateur classes.
Event Details
Ranching Heritage Challenge – Fort Worth
Date: January 13, 2012Event: Fort Worth Stock Show & RodeoLocation: Will Rogers Memorial Center – Fort Worth, TexasEntry Fee: $285 (includes office and cattle charges)Stall Fee: $50 for the entire event (includes two bags shavings)Added Money: $13,500! With $10,000 split between the open and non-pro and an additional $3,500 added to the limited open class, courtesy of Kalpowar Quarter Horses.Other Prizes: custom made spurs sponsored by the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Enter the Ranching Heritage Challenge - Fort Worth.
Does my horse have to be nominated to compete in the Ranching Heritage Challenge – Fort Worth? No! For 2012, horses do not have to be nominated to the Ranching Heritage Challenge to compete in Fort Worth. This is an entry-fee only event with the majority of the entry fee being paid back in the purse, along with more than $10,000 in added money from AQHA and valued sponsors.
How do I know if my horse is eligible? Any 4-year-old horse (as of January 1, 2012) that was bred by a Ranching Heritage Breeder is eligible to compete in the open or limited open at the Ranching Heritage Challenge – Fort Worth. Any 5-year-old or older horse (as of January 1, 2012) that was bred by a Ranching Heritage Breeder is eligible to compete in the non-pro or amateur class in Fort Worth.
I bought a horse from a ranch, how can I find out if it was a Ranching Heritage Breeder? You can find a complete list of approved Ranching Heritage Breeders online, or you can call AQHA Customer Service at (806) 376-4811.
Is the stall fee per night? No, the $50 stall fee is for at least three nights and includes two bags of shavings. If you intend to stay longer than three nights, you’ll need to contact Fort Worth directly and arrange for stalling additional nights.
Do I have to purchase a stall in Fort Worth? No! While Fort Worth worked to make stalls as economical as possible, exhibitors will be allowed to pull trailers onto the grounds, show out of their trailer and pull out that night.
Are you having trail trials in Fort Worth? Unfortunately, the schedule and facilities in Fort Worth do not allow for the addition of trail trials. AQHA will look to add trail trials in the future.
How do I enter? Entry forms are available to download or you can call AQHA Customer Service at (806) 376-4811.
Ranching Heritage Challenge – Rapid City
Date: August 31, 2012Event: South Dakota Reined Cow Horse FuturityLocation: Pennington County Events CenterEntry Fee: $285 (includes office and cattle charges)Stall Fee: TBDAdded Money: $13,500! With $10,000 split between the open and non-pro and an additional $3,500 added to the limited open class, courtesy of Open Box Rafter Ranch, owned by Jim and Joni Hunt.
Does my horse have to be nominated to compete in the Ranching Heritage Challenge – Rapid City? No! For 2012, horses do not have to be nominated to the Ranching Heritage Challenge to compete in Rapid City. This is an entry-fee only event with the majority of the entry fee being paid back in the purse, along with more than $10,000 in added money from AQHA and valued sponsors.
How do I know if my horse is eligible? Any 4-year-old horse (as of January 1, 2012) that was bred by a Ranching Heritage Breeder is eligible to compete in the open or limited open at the Ranching Heritage Challenge – Rapid City. Any 5-year-old or older horse (as of January 1, 2012) that was bred by a Ranching Heritage Breeder is eligible to compete in the amateur class in Rapid City.
Are you having trail trials in Rapid City? Unfortunately, the schedule and facilities in Rapid City do not allow for the addition of trail trials. AQHA will look to add trail trials in the future.
What is the stall fee? AQHA is in the process of finalizing details for the Ranching Heritage Challenge – Rapid City and will publicize the event details in The American Quarter Horse Journal and online at www.aqha.com.