Mid-East Kentucky Quarter Horse Association Rulebook
I.MEKQHA HIGH POINT YEAR END AWARDS
101.Membership: Owner and/or exhibitor must be member of the Mid-East Kentucky Quarter Horse Association (MEKQHA) for the horse to receive points. Only members in good standing are eligible for points and awards.
102.Events: Shows that count for points start November 1st and go through the October 31. All points must be turned to the points secretary by November 15th of the current year. Nomination fee is $6.00 per class or $25.00 for AQHA Open, $25.00 for AQHA Amateur, $25.00 for AQHA Youth 13 & under, $25.00 for AQHA Youth 14-18. The $25.00 package nominates the horse and rider combination for all events in that division and the AQHA High Point Award. $25.00 for AQHA Level I Youth, $25.00 for AQHA Level I Amateur are for year-end High Point Award; all level Iclasses count.
103. Nominations:
A. A contestant may nominate more than one horse; however, the points earned by the member with each horse will be compiled separately.
B. More than one contestant may nominate a horse; however, the points earned by each member with the horse nominated will be counted separately.
C. In open classes, the high point award will be given to the horse; therefore, any member may show the horse and all points will be compiled for the horse.
104.Results: Each contestant is responsible for turning in his / her own points. Each contestant must obtain from the AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION a record of AQHA shows and placings, listing the shows and placings from the date of nomination. If the fee on the nomination form is not paid at the time of nomination, then the contestant is responsible for turning in his / her own points.
105.Open Shows: All points are awarded on the placing, not the amount of money won, as follows:
For a class of 6 or more horses in halter and performance:
1st place----6 points
2nd place----5 points
3rd place----4 points
4th place---- 3 points
5th place---- 2 points
6th place-----1 point
In the event there are only 5 horses in the class, 1st place receives 5 points, 2nd receives 4 points, 3rd receives 3 points and so on. In the event there are fewer than 6 horses in the class, the 1st place finisher gets no more points than the number of horses in that class.
106.Divisions:
A. Open Horse Shows:
1. High Point Halter Horse
a. Mare
b. Stallion
c. Gelding
d. Two-year-old and under
2. High Point Judged Events
a. Adult Events
i Western Pleasure
ii Hunter Under Saddle
b. Youth Events
i Western Pleasure
ii Hunter Under Saddle
iii Showmanship
iv Horsemanship
v Hunt Seat Equitation
vi Walk-Trot
3. High Point Timed Events
a. Adult Events
i Barrels
ii Poles
iii Flags
b. Youth Events
i Barrels
ii Poles
iii Flags
B. AQHA Shows An exhibitor may nominate for any class that is recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association.
1. Youth Division, in two sections
a. 13 years of age and under
b. 14--18 years of age
2. Open Division
3. Amateur Division
4. Amateur Select Division
5. AQHA Level I Division - AQHA novice rules apply. All Level I Classes count toward an All-Around Award.
a.Level I Amateur
b.Level I Youth
C. Horseback Riding Category
Participants must be members of MEKQHA, but as with the "Open Horse Show Division," need not be members of AQHA. A log verifying hours ridden, kept on the honor system, should be turned into the Points Secretary, with the same time frame of all other MEKQHA nominations, i.e. nominations must be received by April 1st for rides after October 31to be counted and hours ridden ending on the last day of October. One horse, one rider combination per nomination.
107. There must be at least three (3) horses nominated in each class before an award will be given. A horse winning multiple first placings in a category, (AQHA OPEN or AQHA AMATEUR or AQHA YOUTH, or AQHA LEVEL I, etc.) will receive only one first place award in that category. If that horse and exhibitor have one or more wins in another category, they will receive one first place award in that category in addition to whatever award they received in another category.
108. Championship Classes at open shows will not count for points. Therefore, no points will be awarded in these classes. Closed member, county, and/or 4-H shows, such as the State 4-H, county only, Area 4-H, and 4-H only shows, will not count toward year end points.
109. No points will be awarded to a disqualified contestant, regardless of the number in the class.
110. Any Open Show in the State of Kentucky will count toward year end points for open show awards. Any AQHA Show in the nation will count toward year end points for MEKQHA high point awards.
111. The age of all youth will be determined by AQHA rules.
112. Points will be retroactive to November 1st of the prior year, IF dues AND nominations are made before March 15th of the current year. Nominations made after March 15th are only eligible for points from the date of nomination.
II.All American Quarter Horse Congress Youth Team Rules
201. Before nominating as a youth team contestant, you must first be a member (individual or family), in good standing, of MEKQHA to be considered for the youth team. Nomination forms will be available at the Year End Awards Banquet and Meeting and throughout the year from the MEKQHA secretary. Early nominations are appreciated.
202. Contestants must nominate and submit payment for the MEKQHA CONGRESS YOUTH TEAM before their first class at the MEKQHA shows in June for each horse nominated. Nominations for the youth team being made at the show must be made in person, with the appropriate completed form, to either the Points Secretary or a MEKQHA Officer (President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer).
LATE NOMINATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!
203. Points will start the first day of the show and end the last day of the show.
*** ONLY THE MID EAST KENTUCKY QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION AQHA SHOW WILL COUNT TOWARD MEKQHA CONGRESS YOUTH TEAM POINTS. ***
204. To be eligible for the MEKQHA CONGRESS YOUTH TEAM, each contestant must follow the guidelines as indicated below:
a)Compete in classes at the Mid-East Kentucky Quarter Horse Association AQHA show (see section 205 for placing points).
b)Work at the show. Each contestant must work a minimum of 6 hours during the MEKQHA show in June. Each contestant must check-in and out with the Youth Team Advisor or designated adult working as the Youth Team Advisor's assistant and sign the MEKQHA worker form in order to receive credit for hours worked. A point system will be in place to be fair to all participants. Each contestant may work additional hours and earn an extra point for each additional hour worked above the required six hours. Parents or friends may work for members for extra points as long as they are logged in and out with the Youth Team Advisor or the assistant.
c)Bring four items for the silent auction. Each silent auction item will be evaluated for its worth and designated by the Youth Team Advisor or assistant as: "A"=1 point item or "B"=1/2 point item.
205. Placing points in classes will be calculated as follows:
1st place=10 points
2nd place= 9 points
3rd place= 8 points
4th place= 7 points
5th place= 6 points
6th place= 5 points
7th place= 4 points
8th place= 3 points
9th place= 2 points
10th place or below=1 point.
*This point system will be used regardless of the number of entries in the class; however, no points will be given to a disqualified horse.
POINTS WILL BE AWARDED AND TOTALED FOR PARTICIPATION IN ALL MEKQHA YOUTH TEAM ACTIVITIES ACCORDINGLY. ALL DECISIONS OF THE YOUTH TEAM ADVISOR ARE FINAL
206. Each contestant is responsible for turning in his / her own points on the available MEKQHA show billincluding: Name of horse; Name of exhibitor; Number and name of each class; Placing in each class; number of contestants in each class; Signature of the show official or signature of an MEKQHA member at the show (NOT a family member). Only one horse/one exhibitor per show bill. If there is more than one contestant in a family, each contestant will need to submit a separate show bill. If a contestant nominates and shows more than one horse at the same show, the contestant will need to submit a separate show bill for each nominated horse shown.
Forms must be turned in by the end of the show to the Youth Team Advisor or Assistant.
207. A contestant may qualify for a maximum of two (2) classes. Example; 1st horse one class and 2nd horse one class, or one horse two classes. The top two point earners in each class will qualify as part of the MEKQHA CONGRESS YOUTH TEAM. No contestant will be allowed to show with the youth team in more than one event, to the exclusion of another nominee who is eligible for the team, even if not in the desired class, up to 12 members to comprise a team.
208. Alternates will be chosen from those contestants who have qualified for the MEKQHA CONGRESS YOUTH TEAM.
209. Contestants may qualify for the following classes:
Showmanship at Halter
Western Pleasure
Western Horsemanship
Hunter Under Saddle
Reining
Hunt Seat Equitation
Barrel Racing
Pole Bending
210. When possible, MEKQHA will assist the youth team in paying for stalls, jackets, and/or simple stall decorations. The final decision will be made by the MEKQHA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
NOTE: EACH TEAM MEMBER MUST SHOW IN THE DESIGNATED TEAM CLASS TO RECEIVE STALL REIMBURSEMENT. IF A TEAM MEMBER DOES NOT REPORT TO CONGRESS, THE COST OF THE JACKET AND STALL MUST BE REIMBERSED TO MEKQHA BY THAT MEMBER. RESPECT AND SPORTSMANSHIP IS EXPECTED FROM EACH MEKQHA CONGRESS YOUTH TEAM MEMBER, NOT ONLY TO THE YOUTH TEAM ADVISOR, BUT ALSO ALL OTHER EXHIBITORS, DIGNITARIES, OFFICIALS AND GUESTS OF THE ALL AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE CONGRESS.
211.MEKQHAwill compensate the Youth Team Advisor a total of $150.00 to be used as a stipend for fuel, food, lodging, or entry into the All American Quarter Horse Congress and/or whatever the Youth Team Advisor deems a necessary expense. $150.00 will be the limit of this stipend, to be voted on each year after the MEKQHA Horse Show, to determine if such funds are available, and given only if it will not cause financial hardship to MEKQHA.
III.MID-EAST KENTUCKY QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION QUEEN CONTEST
301. Contestants must be members (individuals or family) in good standing of MEKQHA to nominate for the MEKQHA Queen contest. The contestant must be no younger than 18 years of age as of January 1st of the current year and no older than 25 years of age as of January 1st of the current year. The contestant shall not be married, divorced or the parent of a child. The contestant shall be of good character.
302.The Queen contest will be held yearly, provided it is financially feasible. The association will provide up to $500.00 for the Queen to compete at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. The Executive Committee will make the final decision.
303.The contestant will be judged by a minimum of 2 judges in each of the three categories, (written examination on the AQHA rulebook, Oral Interview, and Horsemanship). The contestant, upon being crowned Queen, will be available to attend special functions (4-H State Horse Show, MEKQHA Clinics, etc.) and present awards at various horse shows.
304.Should there be an interest by contestants to compete for the title of MID-EAST KENTUCKY QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION QUEEN and the association is unable to provide financial assistance for this Queen to compete at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, the contestant may compete with a sponsor and the Association will endorse the candidate to fulfill the necessary requirements of association affiliation.
IV.MID-EAST KENTUCKY QUARTERHORSE ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
401.The number and amount of the scholarships to be awarded in any given year will be determined annually by the executive committee. The committee will meet and make their decision at the August meeting.
Members of the committee from the MEKQHA executive board are:
1.The President or theirdesignee.
2.One member appointed by the president.
3.The Youth Advisor or his designee. (No youth or relative of a youth applying for scholarship funds will be allowed to serve on the selection committee.)
402.Formal recognition of the recipients will be made at the MEKQHA Banquet.
403.Individuals are eligible for a maximum of one year of support.
404. Selection Process
- Applications from applicants who have not completed at least one semester of college are reviewed by the selection committee and must meet the following requirements:
1.)Applicant must either rank in the upper 30% of his/her high school graduating class or applicant must have taken his/her ACT and achieved an ACT score of 20 or higher.
2.)Applicant must have been a member in good standing of MEKQHA during the last three years in which he/she was eligible.
- Applicants submitting their first application, after having completed one or more semesters of college, will be evaluated on the basis of both their high school and college records.
- Individuals applying for renewal of their scholarships will be evaluated on the basis of the college records, from the time the first grant was awarded, to the time the pending application, will be reviewed by the selection committee. A 2.5 cumulative grade point average must be maintained. Should any single semester grade point drop below 2.5, the committee may decide not to renew the scholarship.
- Applicant must be enrolled as a full time student in an accredited university or trade school during the semester or semesters for which the scholarship is awarded.
- Applications may be obtained from the Secretary and MUST be postmarked by November 15th of the year in which the applicant wishes to receive the grant.
- Applicant should list personal achievements and contributions toward the betterment of MEKQHA.
- Applicant should list extracurricular activities including, but not limited to, student government, 4-H, FFA, sports, and community services.
- Applicant should list offices held in organizations of which he/she has been a member.
- Applicant should list any honors or awards received to date.
- Applicant must submit on his/her behalf at least two, but not more than four, letters of recommendation, which must be sent directly to MEKQHA by the individual making the recommendation. Required letters include one from a MEKQHA Officer, Director, or Youth Advisor, and one from the high school Principal or Counselor. If applicant has completed one or more college semesters at the time of application, he/she should have a letter from his/her faculty advisor or faculty member who is sufficiently familiar with the applicant to provide a meaningful recommendation. Additional sources could be a President of a quarter horse association, 4-H, FFA, civic and Community leaders.
All items in red should be deleted and the Hunt Seat Equitation and Pole Bending classes need to be added to the Qualifying event classes.
Item 404 B. and C. Highlighted in red should be removed as this is a one time scholarship.
Mid-East Kentucky Quarter Horse Association RulebookPage 1 of 8