Dear Members, Parents, and Supporters,
As your President, I am thrilled to share an update on the exciting opportunities and initiatives planned
for the upcoming year for the Virginia Quarter Horse Association (VQHA). We have a fantastic season
ahead, filled with chances to grow, learn, and contribute to our vibrant community. Your involvement is
key to our success, and I encourage everyone to participate actively!
Spotlight on Fundraising: Powering Our Programs!
Fundraising is the lifeblood of our organization, enabling us to support member activities, scholarships,
and participation in prestigious events. This year, we’re rolling out a diverse array of fundraising efforts,
and we need your help to make them a resounding success!
- The Stuffed Wagon at the Banquet (March): A beloved tradition! We’ll be collecting donations of
new, exciting items to fill a wagon, which will then be raffled off at our annual banquet. This is always a huge hit, and we welcome contributions of goods or services. - 50/50 Raffle at the Virginia Maiden (March): A classic for a reason! Half the pot goes to a lucky
winner, and the other half directly supports our club. We’ll need enthusiastic volunteers to sell tickets
throughout the Maiden show. - “Kiss the Pig” Event at the Maiden: A fun, lighthearted, and highly successful fundraiser from the
past! Members and parents can “vote” with donations for an officer or volunteer to kiss a friendly pig. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and generates a lot of laughs (and funds!). - Pre-Bedding Stalls at the Maiden: This is a fantastic opportunity for early birds! By signing up to
pre-bed stalls for other exhibitors, we can earn funds for the club. We’ll need volunteers willing to put in some elbow grease before the show.
Declare Your Show Intentions for the Year! (Letter of Intent)
To help us plan and support your participation in various events, we require all members planning to
attend shows this year to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). This “paper” is crucial for us to gauge interest in
events like Level One, NYATT, the YES Conference, and Youth World, and to coordinate fundraising efforts
for these opportunities.
- What the LOI is for: It allows you to declare which shows and events you are planning to attend this
year. You can include multiple horses via additional pages and check boxes for specific events. - Deadline: The Letter of Intent is due by February 1st.
- Rules & Details: The specific rules and instructions for completing and submitting your LOI will be
posted on our Facebook page. Please check there for all the necessary information. - No Payment Due Now: While the LOI helps us plan, no payment is due at the time of submission.
Payment for events will be due in May, and any deposited funds will apply to your personal fundraising
goals. - Requirements: The LOI requires your parent’s name/contact, your student name, and your current
AQHA number. Please ensure your AQHA membership is active, as many current members’ memberships
have expired. Renewal instructions are available on our Facebook page and the Virginia Quarter Horse site. If you did not receive the LOI, please text an organizer to resend it.
Step Up and Lead: Officer Positions for the Coming Year!
This is your chance to shape the future of our organization! We will soon be electing new officers for the upcoming term. These leadership roles are incredibly rewarding, offering invaluable experience in teamwork, event planning, and community engagement.
We are looking to fill the following vital positions:
● One (1) President ● Two (2) Vice Presidents
● Two (2) Secretaries ● One (1) Treasurer
How to Run for an Officer Position:
- Declare Your Candidacy: Inform an existing officer of your interest in running for a specific
position. - Prepare Your Speech/Video: Candidates will have the opportunity to present their vision and
qualifications.
- Live Presentation at the Banquet: If you can attend our VQHA Banquet on March 21st at
the Blackstone Inn, Stanton, Virginia, you will present your speech in person during the event. - Video Submission: If you are unable to attend the banquet in person, you must pre-submit
a video of your speech by March 1st. This ensures all members have a chance to hear from every
candidate.
- Ensure AQHA /VQHA Membership is Current: A current AQHA/ VQHA membership is a
requirement for all officers. Please check your membership status and renew if necessary. Renewal
instructions are available on our Facebook page and the Virginia Quarter Horse site. - Engage and Connect: Talk to current officers, ask questions, and share your ideas with fellow
members. This is a great way to build support and demonstrate your commitment. - Election Instructions: We will post detailed instructions for the election process on our Facebook
page in the coming days. Please keep an eye out for this important information!
Serving as an officer is a significant commitment, but it offers unparalleled opportunities for personal
growth and making a real difference in our club. I strongly encourage all eligible and interested members to consider running!
Key Deadlines & Upcoming Events
- Letter of Intent (for show participation) Due: February 1st
- Officer Speech Video Pre-Submission Deadline (for those not attending banquet): March 1st
- AQHYA Region 5 Conference: January 24th (Registration is now closed)
- VQHA Banquet: March 21st at the Blackstone Inn, Stanton, Virginia. Don’t forget to talk to your
parents about purchasing banquet tickets! Officer election speeches will be presented live at the
banquet. - Present a Paper at the Banquet: During the March 21st weekend banquet, members will have the
opportunity to present a paper. More details on the topic and submission guidelines will be shared soon.
Membership Renewals & Scholarship Opportunities
A friendly reminder that many members’ AQHA memberships have expired. Please take a moment to
renew your membership to ensure you remain eligible for all club activities and officer positions. We’ve
posted renewal instructions on Facebook and can resend links if needed.
Our Youth Scholarship program is also open! This scholarship requires a video and speech copy, will be
run through an AI-check, and comes with a $250 club donation. We’ve received no submissions yet, so
now is the perfect time to apply! Preference will be given to active members.
Additional Updates
- T-Shirts: Maggie and Ariel are hard at work on new t-shirt designs, which will be ready in February.
We’ll have a Facebook poll for final selection, and shirts will be printed in time for the March Banquet! - Judging Team: Our dedicated judging team plans to attend Paint Worlds, Youth Worlds, and the
Appaloosa Youth Hippology Contest again this year. Good luck to Mayor Beth, Emma, Josie, Lila, and
Claire at the Appaloosa Youth Hippology Contest!
I am incredibly optimistic about what we can achieve together this year. Let’s continue to foster a
supportive and engaging environment for all our members.
Sincerely,
Your President
Brody Marshall
