AQHA Amateur
Rachel Turner (Portfolio Director)
We are the Amateurs, Select amateurs
and novice amateurs of the
Australian quarter horse association
What is an Amateur?
A person that engages in a sport for pleasure rather than financial benefit or professional reasons.
In the mid 1990’s a proactive group of Amateur’s made the decision to set up and put in place a Division similar to the already established Youth Division. This hard working group started with no money and worked very hard to raise money to fund their plans.
Once enough funds where raised the Division started sponsoring each State Show in Australia, then the NPHA, Australian Halter Showcase, Summer Sizzler and All Breed Show in Queensland.
Initially the division held 2 free amateur clinics with American judges the day after the National Championships, these clinics where well supported.
Moving upwards and onwards the division committee then put together Affiliate packs for sponsorship which included amateur promotional items. We sold t-shirts, caps, umbrellas and jackets.
Soon the website was created where information for amateurs could be accessed, it provided a clothing corral and sale of gear to new comers. This website also provided information on amateur rule updates
Later the Division set up and introduced the Select Amateur program which is now well supported and enjoyed by many. Select is for the 50's and over.
Trans-Tasman was next on the committee’s wish list, and with the help of the AQHA Board the event was a huge success and was supported very well and continues to this day with a Trans Tasman Challenge held bi-annually between New Zealand and Australia. This event gives our Amateurs something to strive for and to hopefully one day represent their country and the Australian Quarter Horse Association.
With this wonderful backbone of support, our committee wishes to continue the great work and success the original committee has set up for all future Amateurs.
Recently Novice Amateur classes have been introduced and have been a great starting point for those Amateurs who are the new beginners within our equine industry.
The Division is structured with a strong committee which meet via emails weekly and via phone conference when required. Every meeting has a set agenda that the committee discuss, with the help and support of the AQHA office.
As of May 2019 the Amateur Division has 725 Members and of that number, 299 are Select Amateurs.
Amateur Applications and Novice Amateur Applications at Membership & Amateur Forms
Amateur Division 2024 AGM - July 2024 via Zoom
Agenda AGM July 2024 via Zoom Nominations Amateur Division 2024 - 2025
AGM Amateur Division Proxy Form 2024
