The welfare of the American Quarter Horse is of paramount importance.

© Coady Media

AMARILLO, TX–JUNE 18, 2025–The American Quarter Horse Association believes the welfare of the American Quarter Horse is of paramount importance.

While AQHA is an equine breed registry and not directly involved with American Quarter Horse racing regulation, it strongly supports industry efforts to improve racing welfare, it works closely with international, national and state regulatory bodies to improve standards and ensure integrity.

Among its efforts is the AQHA Awards and Media Policy, which was first implemented in 2018, and strives to support the pursuit of a level playing field for all American Quarter Horse racing participants by prohibiting awards and media coverage for horses and/or people who have violations that could potentially impact the outcome of a race and/or endanger equine athletes. The policy says that any entity that meets the criteria will be ineligible for AQHA awards, media coverage or participation in Challenge races.

After several meetings involving both the AQHA Racing Council and AQHA Executive Committee, modifications to the policy were approved and will be implemented. The change will go into effect immediately and be effective as of January 1, 2025.

With the update, all horses owned by the owner of record and in the care of the offending trainer at the time of violation shall be deemed ineligible for the associated period of time. Other associated horses in the care of a trainer will not be added to the ineligibility list. Also, there is no longer a component of the policy that allows horses to be removed from ineligibility status.

Offending trainers and owners meeting criteria will be added to their respective ineligibility lists.

Additionally, an owner or trainer can be added to the ineligibility list as a result of a ruling by any entity having the requisite authority or jurisdiction that an owner or trainer is deemed ineligible to participate based on conduct detrimental to the welfare of the horse.

View the AQHA Awards and Media Policy at www.aqha.com/racing.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA Racing on X and on Instagram, "like" Q-Racing on Facebook, and visit www.aqha.com/racing.