May 19, 2011 

As a result of the recent EHV-1 Virus alert and as a precautionary measure, the AQHA and the National Cutting Horse Association have jointly agreed to support show managers' decisions to voluntarily cancel dual-approved cutting events this weekend (May 20-22).

AQHA will work with its show managers who choose to voluntarily cancel an entire show or cutting classes that are being offered at AQHA-approved shows this weekend. AQHA will also assist with requests to move a show's location and/or dates. This affects approximately 90 shows. There is no mandatory requirement from AQHA that a show cancel, and the Association is working with state veterinary offices and industry professionals to draft some guidelines that show management can use addressing concerns of the EHV-1 virus.

To help ease AQHA Select exhibitors' minds and proactively help professionals and exhibitors make educated decisions, the AQHA Executive Committee today opted to lower qualifying points for the Adequan Select World Championship Show. The decision to lower the points was a result of the timing of the May 31 qualifying deadline for the Adequan Select and the recently reported cases of equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy in the western United States. The Adequan Select is August 28 - September 3 in Amarillo.

As soon as possible, please contact Melynda Ackley, AQHA Director of Competition at (806) 378-4714 or e-mail to mackley@aqha.org with questions and/or cancelations regarding your event.

We encourage exhibitors to contact their provincial/state veterinarian for details of EHV-1 and go to AQHA's website  to keep up with the latest news and information regarding the recently reported EHV-1 cases and other helpful links.

As of this writing (5/18), here is a list events for which AQHA is aware of cancelling or rescheduling.

Cancellations

May 21-22, 2011               KY           Shelbyville         KCHA Alliance Cutting

May 21, 2011                     NV          Elko                    AQHA Introductory Show - NvQHA

May 24-25, 2011               TX           Fort Worth         Texas Classic Western Series Cutting

May 20, 2011                     TX           Gainesville        AQHA Special Event Cutting

May 26-29, 2011               AZ           Sonoita              Sonoita Quarter Horse Show

May 21-22, 2011               TX           Stephenville       Indoor Club QHS - Cutting Classes

Original show date cancelled - see information for new date and/or location    

May 20-21, 2011               MN        Fergus Falls          North Central Reined Spring Derby         

moved to June 24-26, 2011

May 26-29, 2011               AB, Canada         Red Deer    AB Chinook Qtr Horse Circuit            

moved to September 16-18, 2011 in Olds, AB

May 21, 2011      CA          Carmel Valley                 VRH- Central Coast Ranch Horse              

dates/location pending

May 20-21, 2011               OR          Powell Butte        Central Oregon Reined Cowhorse           

moved to August 5-7, 2011         

May 22, 2011                     CA          Woodland           AQHA Intro - Historic Nelson Ranch         

moved to June 26, 2011               

May 19-22, 2011               WA         Moses Lake          Northwest Interstate Spring Fling            

moved to September 2-5, 2011

May 19-22, 2011               CO          Denver                   Mile High Quarter Horse Classic

Dates/location TBA

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