Frequently Asked Questions

What does FFQH offer that other Foundation groups don’t offer?

 The FFQH offers the AQHA horse owner a place to register any AQHA horse that is 75% or greater Foundation blood of any AQHA recognized horse of any pedigree line.  Impressive horses have long been recognized by our members as quality, honest, hard working ranch or family horses.  With the advancement of DNA testing to genetically verify the HYPP status of Impressive line horses, we believe that including HYPP N/N horses in FFQH is fundamental in recognizing the contribution good Impressive line horses have made to the Quarter Horse as a breed in general.  We also offer the same incentive to AQHA registered horses regardless of color.  A good horse is never a bad color, as AQHA has recognized, and if the horse is AQHA registered and is also 75% or more Foundation blood, they should and do qualify with FFQH.

 We also offer the only National Points database that verifies and tracks all points earned throughout a horses lifetime at FFQH sanctioned shows with their state groups, and is both viewable and downloadable at no charge.  You will have a certified record of your horse’s achievements throughout his career with FFQH by just clicking on the link on our website.  We do not charge individuals to record or compile this important information.  We feel that this is an important marketing tool to promote the Foundation Quarter Horse and State groups who want to showcase their versatile athletes. 

What type of horse qualifies for Foundation status?

FFQH believes that, a horse having 75% or more foundation blood qualifies them as Foundation Quarter Horses.  We calculate the foundation percentage using the AQHA verified pedigree of your AQHA registered horse.  FFQH considers the first 27,000 AQHA registered horses and horses carrying the old National Quarter Horse Registry classification of an N number as being fundamental to establishing the Quarter Horse as a breed, and they are accorded 100% status.  Any lines in your horses pedigree that are recognized as TB or A before you come to a horse with a number less than 27,000 or N will be deducted from the overall total of your horse with the proper percentage according to where they are in the pedigree.  We do not discriminate against any specific line or color of a recognized AQHA horse as long as they calculate to 75% or more Foundation blood.  We do require that all horses of Impressive lineage to have verified proof of genetic testing to be HYPP N/N to qualify for showing and Foundation status.


What does FFQH recognition of my club offer me as a horse owner?

If your club becomes members of FFQH, all the members will have free access to a National Points database to showcase the achievements of you and your horses.  When your club hosts shows according to FFQH guidelines, the points from that show will be sent to FFQH and will be posted on our National Points database for you to view or download as proof of performance of your breeding or training program.  When you offer your stock for sale or breeding purposes, you will have a nationally recognized and verified show/performance record readily available to prospective purchasers/clients, thus increasing the market value of your horse or business.

I don’t have a club near me locally to show with.  What does FFQH offer me as a horse breeder or trainer in this case?

As a breeder, having your horses foundation percentage calculated and verified by FFQH and being able to research prospective breeding matches with known foundation percentages will give you added value to the resulting foals within the growing Foundation Quarter Horse market.  Potential buyers will be able to quickly see if the foal qualifies for Foundation registry, and is another advantage to help breeders reach a wider market base.

As a trainer, you will be able to market your horses not only to people looking for AQHA horses in general, but also to that growing Foundation Quarter Horse demographic within AQHA.  These are the people that are looking for Quarter Horses, but are also specifically seeking the versatile Quarter Horse that the breed has represented since the founding of the AQHA.  Foundation Quarter Horses are becoming known as the AQHA all-around horse that is much sought after, but hard to find in the discipline specific market that is currently occurring within the Quarter Horse breed.  Honest workers with heart and good minds who offer something to the entire family no matter their chosen discipline.  Horses that spend the week working on the ranch/farm, then transition easily to carrying the kids around the ring in any discipline you ask them to try on the weekends.  Having FFQH verified Foundation percentages on your horses opens up a wider market base to promote your business.

 
My horse already has other Foundation Quarter Horse Registry papers.  Do I have to register them again with FFQH, if my Club joins FFQH, for tracking points?

If your state club hosts a FFQH sanctioned show you do not need to have FFQH papers to show.  FFQH shows are open to any Foundation Registered AQHA horse that has papers through the following:  FFQH, NFQHA, FQHR, FQHA, & WFQHA.  We accept papers from any of these associations as verification of Foundation status.  Once your club becomes members of FFQH (there is currently no charge to become members of FFQH) and hosts any FFQH sanctioned show, we will track the points, as submitted by the club secretary, of all their members on our database.  We will also list all horses, along with the Foundation group they are registered with as submitted by the state club secretary, on the individual state club page on our website.  If the Foundation papers your currently have do not list your horses foundation percentage, you can submit the proper form and fees to FFQH for us to calculate your foundation percentage and issue papers showing your horses percentage if you would like to know, but it is not required to show or track points.

 What are the rules to become a member of FFQH?

The by-laws and rules are listed under that heading on our webpage.  FFQH does not offer individual memberships.  Your state club will apply for sanctioning (currently free of charge) with FFQH and agree to host shows in accordance with FFQH by-laws and rules and their members are eligible for our FFQH services at that point.  There are no additional fees to show in FFQH shows or show in FFQH approved classes.    At this time, we are striving to provide a service that is currently lacking, to other Foundation Quarter Horse enthusiasts and promote this segment of the AQHA industry with integrity, inclusiveness and reliability.

What services does FFQH offer me if I don’t belong to a club that is sanctioned by FFQH?

FFQH will calculate the Foundation blood of any AQHA horse, and issue a Certificate of Foundation Registry to those horses that qualify, to any individual who owns an AQHA registered horse.   This certificate provides owners a marketing tool to expand their business into another segment of the AQHA industry.  Additionally, your horse will be listed on our National Database of Foundation registered horses, with their foundation percentage, viewable to the public for free.   Please see the forms page of the FFQH website to download the form for submittal to FFQH.

FFQH sanctioned shows are open to any horse with a valid Foundation registration from any National Foundation Quarter Horse group.  If there are no clubs currently hosting FFQH sanctioned shows in your area, you still qualify to show at any other FFQH sanctioned event in any other area or state with your FFQH certified horse.  If you receive points at any FFQH sanctioned show, they will be recorded and tracked on our National Points database over the lifetime of your horse. 

Show Rules

Show rules are in pdf format for printing.