The interest and popularity of the Quarter Horse in all
areas of the country has grown so much that
the American Quarter Horse Association
is now the largest equine registry in the world with several million horses
registered to date.
The Land of Lincoln Quarter Horse Association was formed in March of
1967 with a membership list of 84 members. The Association's membership has
grown to a high of 300 members, of which the large majority reside in the northern
part of Illinois. Of course, we have had members from all over the state,
as well as Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, and Missouri.
This Association was established to foster and spread interest in and
to educate the members of this Association and the general public in riding,
breeding, training, showing and racing of the American Quarter Horse.
Our original area of incorporation consists
of northern Illinois. However, we do approve shows outside of that original
area.
LLQHA is a not-for-profit organization.
Our organization is regulated by our bylaws,
last revised in 1989.
Every state in the United States has its own state association (see the
links page for area associations), as well as
additional regional associations. All associations actively support and
promote the Quarter Horse. In accordance with our above stated purposes
and information, the Land of Lincoln Quarter Horse Association has sponsored
shows and other activities over the past years for the good of its members.
Our members are kept informed of local activities through our newsletter,
the Lincoln Log. Currently published approximately every other month,
the newsletter contains such topics as news of members activities, minutes
of Board of Directors' meetings, upcoming events and shows, point standings
towards year-end awards, a business directory, and youth news.
Our yearly activities include horse shows in
the spring/summer and fall. Our spring/summer shows have been held at Fox Valley Saddle
Association grounds in Elgin and Hampshire, IL and at Wahl Equestrian
Arena (Double G Farms) in Sterling, IL It is at these shows that we have offered team tournaments
and weekend all-arounds for amateurs, youth and novice. Our fall horse
shows have included our futurity classes, and are
currently held in Gifford, IL at Gordyville USA. Our futurity has
been discontinued.
Our year-end high-point awards are presented at our annual banquet. Points
are accumulated throughout the year at area shows approved by our organization.
Also at the banquet, individuals are recognized for their outstanding
contributions to the club over the past year.
Probably the honor most sought after by our youth
is being chosen to represent Land of Lincoln Quarter Horse Association
in the National Youth Activities Team Tournament
(NYATT) at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress held in Columbus,
Ohio. Teams of usually from two to twelve youth, representing state, area
and regional Quarter Horse associations, compete in showmanship, horsemanship,
western pleasure, reining, hunter under saddle and barrel racing for class
winnings as well as overall points. Only two exhibitors per team may compete
in each event.
Some information and photo supplied courtesy of AQHA. |
