The American Quarter Horse Association and the United States Dressage Federation are pleased to announce a joint initiative to support and encourage the American Quarter Horse in dressage.

Earlier in the year, in order to address growing demands for dressage recognition, AQHA announced a one-year trial program to evaluate the number and scores of American Quarter Horses competing in dressage at approved U.S. Equestrian/United States Dressage Federation and Canadian Equestrian Federation shows. As the end of the trial period nears, AQHA's Show Committee is preparing to examine the figures to see how many horses have participated, how many exhibitors are members and evaluate how the proposed test score table is transferring over into point values. (No points will be awarded during this time period.) The amount of participation during the 2004 trial period will determine the future of the program.

AQHA strongly encourages dressage participants to turn in their test scores now. "We are excited to have the program in place and hope the level of participation grows to secure the recognition dressage competitors and American Quarter Horses deserve," said AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer.

In order to make the process of providing scores to AQHA as easy as possible for American Quarter Horse owners, USDF registered horses can visit the USDF Web site at www.usdf.org/scorecheck/scorecheck.asp and download their score check, which will include all rides for the USDF competition year. This score check can be sent to AQHA in lieu of individual score sheets. In addition, USDF will be providing detailed data to AQHA on those American Quarter Horses who compete in dressage, in order for AQHA's Show Committee to evaluate the number of American Quarter Horses participating at USEF/USDF competitions and the scores being attained at the various levels.