AQHA CHAMPIONS SELECTION COMMITTEE OFFICIAL GUIDELINES
FOR SELECTING AQHA RACING CHAMPIONS

As approved at the 2004 AQHA Racing Conference and beginning with the 2004 race year, the AQHA Racing Champions and AQHA Racing World Champion will be awarded annually by written ballot of a geographically diverse Champions Selection Subcommittee. Geographically diverse will be defined as no more than two members in each category 1 and 2 may reside in the same state or province and no more than one member in each category 3 and 4 may reside in the same state or province.  Members may be re-elected after a one-year absence from the subcommittee.

1. Ten Racing Committee members elected by the Racing Committee.
2. Nine AQHA Members (who may or may not be Racing Committee members) appointed by the Racing Council.
3. Three media representatives appointed by the Racing Council annually.
4. Three racing officials appointed by the Racing Council annually.

Prior to presenting the final ballot to the Champions Selection Subcommittee, the Racing Committee will be sent a list of horses that automatically achieve a place on the ballot. They may then nominate any horse not listed that they feel merits the recognition. Mailing should be sent by December 15 each year with a response date of the first workday following the running of The Championship at Sunland Park.

Once the response date given to the Racing Committee has passed, the names of horses to be placed on the Champions Selection ballot will include:

• The following categories by current year money earned
  • Top 10 two-year-old colts
  • Top 10 two-year-old fillies
  • Top 10 two-year-old geldings
  • Top 6 three-year-old colts
  • Top 6 three-year-old fillies
  • Top 6 three-year-old geldings
  • Top 5 aged stallions
  • Top 5 aged mares
  • Top 5 aged geldings
  • Top 5 distance horses
• Horses earning a Grade 1 open stakes win.
• Any other horse nominated by a member of the Racing Committee.
• Voters will be instructed to name a champion in each age division; those being champion two-year-old, champion three-year-old and champion aged horse.
• They will also be instructed to select the overall World Champion Racing American Quarter Horse from their choices for the three age divisional champions. Only this horse will carry the title of World Champion.
• Outstandnig mares being presented for the Broodmare of the Year award must meet the following criteria in either open or restricted graded stakes racing: 1 - One (1) Grade 1 winner; 2 - Two (2) Graded Stakes winners; 3 - Three (3) Non-graded Stakes winners.
• Owner, Breeder, Trainer and Jockey of the year will be awarded annually also by written ballot of the Champions Selection Subcommittee. The five top ranked individuals with the best overall placing according to money earned, races won and points earned will be placed on the ballot.
• Voters will be instructed to vote for only one horse or individual in each category. The horse or individual receiving the majority of votes cast will be named the winner of the category. If no one earns a majority of votes, run-off elections will be held until one horse receives a majority of votes cast. If the run-off results in a tie in any category, the Racing Council will be responsible for breaking the tie between the two final candidates.
• In the case of a Champions Selection committee runoff vote, Selection Committee member’s votes will not be official until the vote is submitted by fax or e-mail.  This procedure will be the same if the Racing Council must vote to break a tie.
• The voting of each Champions Selection committee member will be made public after the announcement of the champions.  The voting will be published on AQHA’s Web site and in the press release announcing the champions.
• The Racing Council can appoint a replacement for anyone who is unable to vote.

Denotes New Guideline