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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, at Wahl Equestrian Arena (Double G Farms) in Sterling, IL
and at Ledges Equestrian Complex in Roscoe, IL. It was
at these shows that we offered team tournaments and weekend all-arounds
for amateurs, youth and novice. Our fall horse shows used to
include 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. LLQHA did not send youth teams to Congress in
2008 and 2009 due to limited numbers of involved youth.
Some information and photo supplied courtesy of AQHA. |
