The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) was to begin testing for performance-enhancing medications at approximately 300 approved shows in January as a result of a recommendation made by the drug and medications task force.

The task force had met to discuss the increased cost of drug testing and the decreasing number of states voluntarily testing at their shows.

AQHA will spend nearly $1 million in 2005 for the additional testing. To fund the project, the task force recommended that each horse entered in a show be charged a $3 fee applicable within the United States except California, where the state already charges $5 per horse for in-state testing. The fee will be collected beginning March 1, 2005.

AQHA will offset the cost by contributing an additional $250,000 to the program, which allows for the low testing fee. For more information on AQHA’s testing policy, see the 2005 AQHA Handbook of Rules and Regulations, visit www.aqha.com, or call 806/376-4888