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IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL QUARTER HORSE BREEDERS & ENTHUSIASTS

The Australian Quarter Horse Association is aware that incorrect information is being provided to the Australian Quarter Horse industry about the registration of Quarter Horses in the United States.

International Quarter Horse Services (IQHS) has published information about its services and related material has been recently widely distributed as email attachments.

IQHS is a private organisation which advertises its ability to be able to provide services similar to those provided by the Australian Quarter Horse Association. In particular, IQHS advertises that it is able to register Australian Quarter Horses with the American Quarter Horse Association.

The American Quarter Horse Association has a longstanding relationship with the Australian Quarter Horse Association. This includes a service whereby eligible Australian Quarter Horses can be registered through the Australian Quarter Horse Association with the American Quarter Horse Association at a special rate reserved for duly recognised international affiliates.

Rule 203(f) and (g) (pages 49 and 50) of the American Quarter Horse Association Official Handbook 2007 states;

203. TO OBTAIN A NUMBERED CERTIFICATE.
Except as otherwise limited on proper compliance with the rules and regulations of AQHA, a stallion, mare, gelding or spayed mare may be registered in the Numbered section of the Stud Book that:

(f) Was foaled in an international country having a Quarter Horse Association recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association that operates its own stud book; was issued a registration certificate by such international association; and which traces to a minimum of 93.75 percent (15/16) lineage to horses issued numbered registration certificates by the American Quarter Horse Association. To receive such numbered certificate from the American Quarter Horse Association, the horse’s owner must make application through the recognized international association in the country he resides to supply the American Quarter Horse Association all required proof of breeding and identification. Registration fee shall be twenty-five dollars ($25), or sixty dollars ($60) if owner does not have a current membership. This procedure is applicable only to horses that were foaled after July 31, 1975.

(g) The registration application of a horse foaled in an international country must come through the registry with which the horse is registered.

(h) Proper fees as per rule 222 must be remitted.

Quarter Horse enthusiasts should again note that IQHS is a private company and as such is charging much higher fees than the fees charged by the American Quarter Horse Association.
The Australian Quarter Horse Association will continue to make further inquiries regarding the services that IQHS appears to be offering and will take all appropriate steps to correct any information that may be misleading regarding the proper procedure for registering eligible Australian Quarter Horses in the United States.