Dressage becomes an official AQHA class Dressage is now an official AQHA class -- one in which you can earn AQHA points, qualify for AQHA Incentive Fund earnings and compete for year-end awards. Beginning at Training Level Test 4, AQHA dressage classes will be held within existing classes at competitions recognized by the United States Dressage Federation or licensed by the United States Equestrian Federation. The same USDF-USEF judges will preside over the AQHA classes; the only additional requirement is that the judges must be AQHA members. Exhibitors must also be current members of AQHA, and the horse must be a registered American Quarter Horse. A competition license fee of $85, good for the lifetime of the horse, is also required. The shows must be approved by AQHA at least 60 days in advance. Horses competing in dressage are given scores, expressed in percentages. The Quarter Horse show industry has always been a point-driven system, so AQHA has created a conversion table to change dressage scores into AQHA points. In addition to awarding points, AQHA is recognizing the three high-point American Quarter Horses at each of the nine USEF-USDF Regional Championship shows in 2010 and has also created a high-point recognition program for the open, amateur and youth divisions of dressage competition. Amateur and youth eligibility is based on criteria found in the AQHA Handbook of Rules and Regulations. If you're interested in getting your American Quarter Horse started in dressage, America's Horse -- AQHA's membership magazine -- initiated a year-long series on Training Level dressage in the January-February 2010 issue. For more information, check out "The USDF Guide to Dressage," written by Jennifer O. Bryant. The United States Dressage Federation is giving AQHA members a 10 percent discount on the guide books.  Action alert: The AHC needs your help to save the Recreational Trails Program The AHC is working to preserve the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program. If Congress does not take action this year this program could no longer be available to recreational riders. The RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. It was created in 1991 as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. The RTP will have to be re-authorized in the next national surface transportation program bill if it is to continue. Since its inception the RTP has provided approximately $730 million for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians. RTP projects consist of construction, maintenance and restoration of trails and trail related facilities as well as the acquisition of easements or property for trails. The RTP is one of the few sources for federal funding of trail projects that are not on federal land. The program is a great resource for equestrians to fund projects in their state and local parks. Congress is expected to begin work on the next 5 year highway bill very soon. The AHC, in conjunction with a broad coalition of recreational trail users, is requesting that Congress not only re-authorized the RTP, but also increase funding for the program to $555 million to be spent over the five years of the bill. The AHC urges all recreational riders to contact Congress and voice support for this program and let them know this program is important to the horse community. You can download a sample letter here that can be used as a starting point for a letter to your Representative and Senators. You should personalize it with information about yourself and your state trails. Please Fax or Email it to your Representatives or Senators because regular mail must go through a long security process. Contact information for your Representatives and Senators can be found at http://www.house.gov/  and http://www.senate.gov/  . Please send copies of any emails, letters or faxes you provide to your Representatives or Senators to the AHC at bpendergrass@horsecouncil.org  or fax to 202 2961970.  If you have any questions please contact the AHC. http://www.horsecouncil.org/2009_ActionAlert.php

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