AQHA's Stud Book & Registration Committee Considers Changes, Cremellos, White Markings To Go Before Board of Directors

Amarillo, Texas - October 10, 2002 - This week, AQHA's Stud Book & Registration Committee met during a special session. The meeting was called to give the committee time to fully review information gathered by staff to discuss certain registration rules due to the limited time the committee has during its annual meeting each March during AQHA's Convention.

"This is a positive, proactive way the Stud Book and Registration Committee can evaluate important rules that affect all members," said AQHA President Jim Shoemake. "As I have said before, AQHA maintains its right to draft, adopt and administer rules that have been democratically passed by its members, but just as importantly, we understand that we have an additional responsibility to continually review current rules as to their effect on the Association's members and the breed. I am proud of the members of Stud Book and Registration for taking the additional time necessary to review these rules."

Two specific rules that the committee felt needed a closer look were Rule 227 (i) and Rule 227(c). The committee's recommendations will be presented to the general membership and the board of directors in March during the annual convention in Anaheim, California.

Cremellos/Perlinos

Based on information requested by and presented to the committee from veterinarians, geneticists and veterinary ophthalmologists, the committee voted to recommend that 227(i) be deleted. If approved by the board, horses commonly referred to as cremellos and perlinos, which are horses that exhibit light (or pink) skin over the body; white or cream-colored hair; and blue eyes will be eligible for registration, provided they meet all other registration guidelines.

White Markings

In a separate discussion, the committee also reviewed the rule restricting the amount of white markings a horse can have and be eligible for registration. The committee voted to recommend amending rule 227(c), commonly known as the "white rule" to allow the offspring of registered American Quarter Horses (numbered to numbered; numbered to appendix; or numbered to Thoroughbred) to be eligible for registration regardless of white markings. Horses displaying white markings beyond the lines in the diagram shown in AQHA's 2002 Official Handbook of Rules & Regulations on page 70 must be parentage verified. Parentage verification is matching the DNA of the offspring to the DNA of both parents.

AQHA's Annual Convention is March 7-11 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California. Comments or questions regarding AQHA's registration rules should be directed to members of the stud book & registration committee, AQHA Directors or write to AQHA's Stud Book & Registration Committee at P.O. Box 200, Amarillo, Texas, 79168 or e-mail studbook@aqha.org.

The proposed recommendations, a list of AQHA Directors and members of the stud book and registration committee can be found at www.aqhajournal.com. Information also is available in the November issues of The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal and America's Horse.