AQHA Executive Committee approval recommendations from the 2026 Convention Standing Committees included several Racing Committee agenda items involving industry initiatives, marketing partnerships and racing regulations.

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AMARILLO, TX–MAY 19, 2026–The AQHA announced Monday the AQHA Executive Committee’s approval recommendations from the 2026 Convention Standing Committees, including several agenda items advanced by the AQHA Racing Committee.

Among the approved Racing Committee recommendations was the appointment of the 2026 Champions Selection Committee, which includes Rick Baugh, Bob Broadstock, Ed Burgart, Misty Coats, Duayne Diderickson, Tom Lepic, Rod Lowe, Jorge Haddad Mestre, Bill Robbins, Javier Rosique and Jeff Williams.

The Racing Committee also approved AQHA’s continued support of MyRacehorse.com while finalizing details of a proposed marketing partnership.

In addition, the committee directed AQHA staff attending the upcoming Association of Racing Commissioners International Model Rules meeting to express AQHA’s support for greater uniformity in rules regarding crop use and related penalties, consistent with recommendations from the Jockeys’ Guild. AQHA also encouraged discussion of Quarter Horse-specific regulations, including Oklahoma’s current policy, which does not impose a strike count but instead allows a jockey three strikes before giving the horse an opportunity to respond.

Approved agenda items from AQHA standing committees included updates to Association programs, policies and member initiatives.