ALQHA BYLAWS

Alabama Quarter Horse Association

Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules
(Revised January 26, 2002)
(Revised November 10, 2005)
(Revised February 2, 2008)


 ARTICLE I: Title, Objects, Location

SECTION 1: TITLE: This association shall be known as the Alabama Quarter Horse Association Inc.  and shall at all times be operated and conducted as a non-profit association in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama providing for such organization and by which it shall acquire all such rights as granted to associations of this kind.

SECTION II: OBJECTS: The purpose of the association shall be to promote the American Quarter Horse, educate and assist members and associates in breeding, improving, promoting and enjoying the American Quarter Horse.

SECTION 3: PLACE OF BUSINESS: The principal place of business shall be at the office of the Secretary/Treasurer, or at such place as may be designated by the board of Directors; but the members, officers, and directors of the association may be residents of any state and business of this association may be conducted at any place convenient to the officers, directors, or members of this association.

                                                                         ARTICLE II:  Members, Meetings

SECTION I: Membership is open to any person of firm interested in the promotion of the American Quarter Horse by payment of membership dues as hereinafter provided. 

SECTION II: Annual Membership Dues: Annual Membership dues in this association shall be twenty ($20) dollars per adult membership regardless of whether such membership is listed in the name of one individual or in multiple names, partnerships, ranch, or business names. Memberships are due on or before January 1, or may be paid at any time during the year. With the exception of Lifetime dues, all memberships expire on December 31 of the current year.  All annual dues should be paid either in the form of a personal, business, farm, or certified check or by money order. Memberships mailed to the ALQHA Secretary shall become active on the date of postmark. Lifetime Membership Dues: Adult Membership. Lifetime membership dues are two hundred dollars ($200). This lifetime membership may, at the purchasing individual’s request, be issued in the name of one individual, or a husband, and wife. Partnerships, ranches or businesses may purchase lifetime memberships in the name of designated individuals, and those memberships shall terminate at the death of last individual.  

Section III:  The regular annual meeting of the members shall be held at such time and place as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors for the purpose of electing directors, and for the transaction of such business as may be brought before the members. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given in the Alabama Quarter Horse Association Newsletter in a conspicuous place at least thirty (30) days preceding the month in which the annual meeting shall be held.  Notice shall be deemed to be delivered when it, or the issue of the Alabama Quarter Horse Association Newsletter containing such notice, shall be delivered by electronic means (e-mail) or deposited in the United States mail with postage prepaid and addressed to the member (or in the case of multiple members residing at one residence, to one member at the household) at member’s address as it appears on the record of the association. 

Section IV: Special meetings of the membership may be held at such time and place as may be designated in the notice, whenever called at the discretion of the president or by a majority of the board of directors, or by notice signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) of the members then in good standing.  Notice of each special meeting shall be given in the same manner as stated in Section III and shall briefly state the object and purpose of the meeting. 

Section V:  At any meeting of the members held in accordance with the foregoing provisions as to notice, the members attending such meeting shall constitute a quorum for all purposes unless a larger number should be required by laws of the State of Alabama. To exercise voting privileges, a member must be physically present at the meeting and members are prohibited from voting by proxy.

Section VI:  Any officer of the association may call a meeting of members to order and preside as chairman. The order of precedence is: President, Vice-President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  In the absence of all such officers, members present may elect a chairman.  The Secretary of the Association shall act as secretary to all meetings, but in the Secretary’s absence, directors may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section VII: Payment of membership dues shall constitute voting rights in any membership meeting or annual meeting, but voting rights at the time of the annual meeting shall be granted only to those members whose dues are paid at the time of the meeting. At meetings of members, each member (annual or lifetime), shall be entitled to one (1) vote only regardless of whether the membership is held in the name of an individual, husband and wife, partnership, ranch, business, or otherwise. Youth members are not entitled to vote at any membership meeting except meetings of the Alabama Quarter Horse Youth Association, unless they possess adult memberships in their own names.

Section VIII: Whenever in these by-laws the term member or members shall be used, unless otherwise specified, it shall mean a member having the right to vote.

                                                                               ARTICLE III: Directors

Section I: The Board of Directors shall manage the Association’s business and property.

Section II: The Board of Directors shall consist of fifteen (15) regular members who shall hold office in three staggered terms with five serving a three year term, five serving a two year term, and five serving a one year term, thereby electing only five directors annually. To be eligible for election to serve on the Board of Directors, an individual must be a member in good standing of the ALQHA and the AQHA, and must be a bona fide resident of the State of Alabama. Any elected director approved by the Board of Directors will be removed from the board of directors upon a third consecutive unexcused absence.  Failure to respond by either e-mail or by phone to the Secretary’s notice of scheduled meeting shall be deemed an unexcused absence.

Any vacancy on the Board of Directors by death, resignation, or other cause will be filled by affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the association by choosing from those directors currently serving one-year terms. Should a director serving a one-year term vacate his position during the year, that position would be filled from the general membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.  In addition to the regular directors so elected, all past-presidents of the association shall be and become directors at large, in an advisory capacity, with no voting privileges.

Section III: The regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately following the annual meeting and no notice shall be required for any such regular meeting of the board. The board, by rule, may provide for other regular meetings at stated times and places, with no notice required. The secretary shall give notice of each special meeting of the board by mailing or telephoning the same to each director at least ten (10) days before the meeting but such notice may be waived by any director, unless otherwise indicated in the notice.  Any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting of the board. 

Section IV: Eight (8) directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board; but, if at any meeting of the board there may be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum shall be present.

Section V: At meetings of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in such order as the Board of Directors may determine according to Roberts Rules of Order. 

Section VI: At the regular annual membership meeting, association members elect the officers and Board of Directors of the association in accordance with Article VI of these By-Laws. 

Section VII: The Board of Directors shall manage and control the business and property of the association, and shall have the power and authority to make, amend, repeal and enforce such rules and regulations, not contrary to the articles of incorporation or these-by-laws, as they may deem expedient. All changes, however, are subject to revision or amendment by majority vote of the members present at any annual or special meeting of the members if written notice of intention by any member to remove said revision or amendment of any rule or regulation or action adopted by the board was served upon the association, as per Article II, Section 3.   To be effective, the required notice shall (1) Be in writing, signed by the member intending to make such motion at the meeting; (2) Set forth in detail the specific rule, regulation, by-law, or other action adopted by the board (3) Set forth the full text of the proposed motion; and (4) Be served upon the association by e-mail and/or U. S. mail at the registered office of the association. Upon receipt from the member of timely notice, the association shall, at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting of members at which proposed motion is to be made, cause copies of such notice, together with rebuttal, if any, by the board of directors, to be either e-mailed and/or mailed to all members or published in the Alabama Quarter Horse Association Newsletter.

Section VIII: The Board of Directors, from time to time, may create and empower committees, general or special.

Section IX:  All National Directors of our area shall be fully empowered members of the Alabama Quarter Horse Association Board of Directors so long as they remain National Directors and members of the Alabama Quarter Horse Association.  When funds are available, the ALQHA shall supply the national directors with $500 dollars per year for travel expenditures approved by the board prior to travel.  The responsibilities of the national directors in the American Quarter Horse Association are outlined in the AQHA Rule Book. The following covers the responsibilities of the National Directors as a member of the Alabama Quarter Horse Association.  The National Directors should consider any question brought to him by an AQHA member residing in the State of Alabama and willingly give his counsel and advice. If, in his direction, a bona fide problem exists that cannot be handled by the director or vice-president, the national Directors should see that the problem is brought to AQHA attention and follow through until disposition has been made.  The National Directors should report to the membership pertinent details of the AQHA Annual Convention. The report should be in writing and will be published in the first newsletter printed after the convention.  The National Directors will attend all meetings called by the American Quarter Horse Association and the Alabama Quarter Horse Association.

                                                       ARTICLE IV:  Elective Officers and Duties

Section I: Officers: The officers of the association shall be the president, first vice-president, second vice-president, and such officers as may be authorized from time to time by the board of directors, who shall be elected by the Board of Directors.   Those officers shall hold office for a period of two (2) years and until their successors are elected and qualified. All Officers may succeed themselves in office for two (2) terms only, serving a total of no more than three (3) terms commencing with the annual election of officers.  To be eligible for election to serve as an elected officer of the association, one must also be an elected director of the association , and/or a past elected officer of the association".

Section II:  President: The president shall be the chief executive officer of the association and shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He shall see that the by-laws, rules and regulations of the association are enforced and shall perform all other duties that may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Section III: First Vice-President: In the absence of the president, the first vice-president shall have the power and shall perform the duties of the president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. 

Section IV:   Second Vice President:  In the absence of the President and First Vice President, the Second Vice President’s duties shall include, but not be limited to the duties stated in Section III above.

Section V:  Secretary: The secretary shall keep the minutes of all membership and directors meetings. He or she shall  1) be the custodian for the safe keeping of all documents and records of the association; 2) be the ex-officio secretary of all committees appointed by the President or Board of Directors; 3) make a report of his or her office to the Board of Directors when demanded and to all annual membership meetings and; 4)  attend ALQHA-sponsored events and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee from time to time. The Secretary shall be an appointed position with an annual renewable contract.  The Board of Directors shall determine the secretary’s job description, salary and expense reimbursement.

Section VI:  Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be a director of the ALQHA and serve as the chairman of a Finance Committee to be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors. 

Section VII:  Surety Bonds:  If the Board requires, the Treasurer and all officers or employees of the association who may handle association funds shall obtain a surety bond to be paid for by the association.

Section VIII:   Fiscal Basis: The fiscal year of the association shall run from January 1 to December 31.

Section IX:   Committees: Standing committees of the association shall be the Nominating Committee, Rules Committee, Finance Committee, Futurity Committee, and Membership Committee.   Other Committees may be appointed by the President or Board of Directors as needed and serve for the length of time deemed necessary by the appointing party. Committee Chairmen may add to committees from the general membership as deemed necessary. Duties of these standing committees expressed in broad terms are:

1.  Nominating Committee:  A nomination committee of not fewer than three shall be appointed by the President, which shall bring the director and officer nominations and ballots to the annual meeting.  

2.  Rules: The Rules Committee shall interpret existing rules, suggest new rules, draft rules and By law changes and act as parliamentarian. 

3.  Finance Committee:  This committee will present a financial report to the general membership at the annual meeting, oversee and disburse all funds received by the ALQHA, recommend investments for the association assets, project income, develop annual budgets, provide long range financial planning, prompt payment of employees and maintain a set of standard operating procedures whereby financial records for the ALQHA will be kept. The Finance Committee will, at the end of each administration, employ an independent certified public accountant to  review of the books. 

4.  Futurity Committee: The Futurity Committee shall produce and manage any ALQHA-sponsored futurity. 

5.  Membership: The membership committee shall promote and encourage membership in the Alabama Quarter Horse Association

                                                       ARTICLE V: Amendments

Section I:   The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, amend, and repeal the by-laws of the association by vote of the majority of directors present at any regular or special meeting of the board, subject to the right of the members to rescind or amend such by-laws in the same manner as provided in Article III, Section VII, for the revision of amendments of rules and regulations.   

ARTICLE VI: VotingThe election of officers and directors shall be held at the annual membership meeting of each year.  Each member will be assigned a number, and that number and the member's signature must accompany the ballot for proper voting procedure.   The Nominating Committee shall present the nominations. Nominations may be made from the floor. Ballots containing the committee recommendations, along with blanks for floor nominated candidates will be distributed for marking. After the member marks and signs the ballot, the nominating committee will tally the votes. The results will be announced immediately and the officers and directors will take office immediately.                                                          


 

                                                 ALABAMA QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION
                                                  PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS
                                                    (Revised February 2, 2008)

1.  The Alabama Quarter Horse Association shall calculate point standings for the year-end high point winners from January 1 -
            December 31 of the calendar year. 

2.  In order to be eligible for year-end awards, both the owner and exhibitor(s) of the horse must be current-year members of
           ALQHA.  Year-end points will begin accumulating upon payment of current year membership dues.  Dues can be paid to show
           secretaries and forwarded to the ALQHA secretary.  In order to receive an award,  any member must pay all his or her outstanding
           debts owed to ALQHA. 

3.  Year-end individual class awards will be given for the high-point earning horse and reserve high-point earning horse earning a
            minimum of ten (10) state points in that class.  Classes must be offered in at least 40% of the shows with the exception of
           those AQHA classes, that do not start until after July 1.   Those classes must be offered in 40% of shows held after July 1.   

                        A.  An All Around award will be presented to the overall high-point horse with the most accumulated points.  Said horse must have earned at least five (5) points in open halter/performance halter and at least ten (10) points in two other AQHA categories.   A reserve All Around award will be presented to the second highest point-earning horse with the above rule applying.  In case of a tie, the competitor with the most year-end high point class wins will be declared the winner.   In the event this still does not determine a winner, the competitor with the most points in different categories will be declared the high-point earning horse. 

                        B.  Four (4) special awards will be presented to the overall high-point stallion, mare, and gelding and to the overall high-point halter horse with the title stallion, mare, or gelding of the year and high-point halter horse of the year.  Points will accumulate in any and all events for the stallion, mare and gelding award with at least 5 of these points being in halter.   The overall high-point halter horse award will go to the halter horse earning the most state points.  The horse must have earned at least ten state (10) points in an open division halter class. 

C.    ALQHA Pioneer Horseman Award.   This award is for the purpose of honoring a person residing in Alabama who has been instrumental in the long-term breeding, showing, raising, and caring for the American Quarter Horse for at least 20 years.  The nominee does not have to be a member of ALQHA.   This award will be given annually to the person chosen by a committee of three made up of current ALQHA members and/or board members appointed by the current ALQHA president.

           D.  Two special non-AQHA classes will be added: Leadline Horsemanship and Small Fry Walk-Trot.  These classes are not mandatory for approval but are strongly recommended.   ALQHA will give a year-end award for the high-point exhibitor only. 

            1.   Leadline Horsemanship.  This class is be judged on horsemanship.  Riders are to be 8 years old and under.  Leaders should be 13 years old or older.  Leaders are not to be judged.  Riders are to be judged both directions of the arena at a walk.  Horses are not required to back.  The arena may be cut in half at the judge’s discretion.  Western or english tack may be used, however, riders should be properly attired.  Silver outfits or fancy clothes shall not count over a neat working outfit.  A lead shank must be used and can either be attached to bits or to a halter under the bridle.  Absolutely no stallions allowed.  Horses need not be owned by rider or family.  Any breed of horse or pony many be shown.  Entry fees shall be at the discretion of show management.  Awards for this class should be presented through eighth place.   To be eligible for state points, exhibitors must be a member of ALQHYA. 

            2.   Small Fry Walk-Trot.  This class is to be judged on horsemanship.  Riders are to be 12 years old and under.  Riders are to be judged both directions of the arena at a walk and jog trot.  Horses may not be asked to extend either the walk or trot and shall not be asked to back.  Horses need not be owned by rider or family and any breed of horse or pony may be shown.  Absolutely no stallions.  Exhibitors are required to possess a novice AQHYA  card.  Exhibitors may show in either English or Western tack and attire.  Show management shall have no less than four spotters in the arena at all times during the class with at least one on each side and one on each end of the arena. Parents may serve as spotters but shall at no time offer assistance during the class unless an exhibitor gets into trouble.  If an exhibitor has a problem, they may resume their ride so long as the judge deems it safe for that exhibitor and to others in the class.  Awards for this class should be presented through eighth place.   To be eligible for state points in this class, exhibitors must be a member of the ALQHYA.    

E.  Recreational Riding Award.  ALQHA will present a year-end award to the ALQHA member who submits to the ALQHA Secretary the most hours logged on an official AQHA Horseback Riding Program log sheet.  Submission must be post-marked no later than December 15 of the current year.

4.  Points will be awarded up to nine places in halter and performance events.  All three associations (ALQHA, ALAQHA and
            ALQHYA) will use the same method for calculating state points.

# IN CLASS              1st    2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th       

1                        1 

2                         2     1 

3                         3     2     1 

4                      4     3     2     1 

5                      5     4     3     2      1 

6                      6      5    4     3      2      1 

7                      7      6    5     4      3      2     1 

8                      8      7     6     5     4      3     2     1 

9 or more       9      8     7     6      5     4     3      2     1

 

5.  In order for an AQHA show to be approved by the Alabama Quarter Horse Association, the following procedures must be
                followed: 

a.  All show management should submit a list of all show dates that particular management intends to have state approved.   This information will be published in the ALQHA newsletter and ALQHA website. Should a show manager decide not to have a show state approved after said show has been advertised in the newsletter and ALQHA website show management must notify the ALQHA secretary of the change in ample time for the revision to appear in at least one (1) issue of the ALQHA newsletter. 

b.  No show(s) will be approved for state points on the same weekend as the annual general membership meeting and banquet.  No shows will be approved for youth points if said show conflicts with the Youth World Show or the Congress Youth Team Tournament.

c.  Any show AQHA approves can be state approved for points upon submission of application form and approval fees.

d.  Shows held on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and National Holidays will be eligible for state approval for open,
                                    amateur, and youth Points.  National holidays are January 1, Memorial Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, the day after
                                   Thanksgiving and Christmas.      

e.  Only shows complying with AQHA rules pertaining to double-judged shows with two sets of AQHA points will count for more than one set of state points.  According to AQHA rules these are state fairs, livestock shows, and split-combined shows.  Any shows eligible under this rule will pay double state approval fees. 

f.   All show managers and show secretaries must meet the same requirements as with AQHA for shows to be approved for state points. Both the show manager and show secretary must be current year member of the ALQHA.

g.  A copy of official show results with total entry count for open, amateur, and youth will be provided by the show secretary in a timely manner at no cost to the association point count secretary.  The point count secretary will provide the association treasurer official entry count for open, amateur, and youth in order for follow-up fees to be billed.  Show management will be billed for all follow-up fees from the official AQHA totals.  All follow-up fees are due upon receipt of ALQHA invoice.  A fine of $25 will be levied against show management after 30 days.  After 60 days a fine of $50 will be assessed. 

h.  The follow-up fee will be $1 per entry.  Follow-up fees should be included in show management’s entry fees and should not be charged as an office charge.  However, show management may charge any office charges they wish as per AQHA rules.

i.   Follow-up fees will be dispersed to each of the following: 

$.50 for each open entry will be retained by the ALQHA.
                                    $.50 for each amateur entry will be retained by the ALAQHA.
                                    $.50 for each youth entry will be retained by the ALQHYA.

 6.  Current year AQHA  Handbook Rules shall be followed with regard to positive drug tests found in AQHA-approved classes.  The AQHA shall immediately be notified of all details regarding the case and will have jurisdiction over the disciplinary action.  Upon suspension of the responsible individual(s) from AQHA membership said individual(s) shall also be suspended from the ALQHA membership for the same period as mandated by the AQHA suspension.

7.   Disciplinary procedures for positive drug tests in futurity classes:

a.  Whereas futurity classes do not fall under the jurisdiction of AQHA, notice shall be given to the owner of the
                        horse by the ALQHA upon receipt of a positive drug test.  The horse shall be disqualified from all futurity classes
                        for all days of the show circuit and shall forfeit all winnings of that horse.  Those winnings shall be added back to
                        the prize money for distribution among the remaining winners. 

b.  The individual(s) responsible for the horse’s condition will be suspended from the ALQHA membership and prohibited from further ALQHA futurities for such period as determined by the ALQHA Board of Directors.  A fine will also be imposed in the amount of $250 for the first offense and $500 for the second offense.  Exhibiting in future ALQHA futurities shall be prohibited until such fines are paid in full.  Under no circumstances will a suspended member or the horse which tested positive be eligible for an ALQHA year-end award. 

c.  The purposes of determining the responsible individual(s) with regard to this procedure, the following definition
                        shall apply.  An individual is absolutely responsible for a horse’s condition if:  

1.  He designates himself on the entry blank as exhibitor or authorizes another person to do so.

2.  He signs the entry blank on behalf of himself or another or causes a representative to sign it.

3.  He physically participates in the event by riding or showing the horse, or

4.  He is the actual trainer having presented or caused to be presented the horse at the show grounds for exhibition.

5.   The exhibitor and owner shall acknowledge that an exhibitor represents the owner in regard to his/her horses entered in the show.

 8.  Contracts for goods and services in excess of $500.00 must be approved by the Finance Committee.  Any goods or services requested by the ALQHA must appear in at least one (1) issue of the ALQHA Newsletter in a conspicuous place.  Sealed bids should be returned to the person requesting same within 30 days from the date of the newsletter.  Bids on goods must include a total amount including tax, shipping, assembly when required, and any special handling.  Bids on services must include all expenses, including but not limited to postage or shipping, telephone, printing, mileage, meals, lodging, or any other expense associated with such service. 

 9.  The Alabama Quarter Horse Association adopts the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) handbook for any rules and regulations not covered in this publication.


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