Justice for the Arabian Horse
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Two horses competing as registered half-Arabians in cutting competition, with numerous titles and earnings to their names, were DNA-typed after US Nationals in 2012 and found to actually be purebred Quarter Horses. These horses are Johnny Nitro and Quintessaa. The most recent action of AHA is to release this statement on their decision NOT to strip the horses of their titles. We do not believe that this is the appropriate action and commit to doing everything in our power to change it.
"Half-Arabian Investigation Update
Following an investigation by the Arabian Horse Association's Registry Services Department under the leadership of Debbie Fuentes, AHA's Registrar, the Half-Arabian Registration Papers for JOHNNY NITRO and QUINTESSAA were cancelled after determining the horses had no Arabian parent as indicated in their registration applications and subsequent Certificates of Registration. Susan and Terry Hatfield had registered the two horses in December of 2009. As a result of the investigation, a Notice of Charges for violating the Arabian Horse Association's (AHA) rules, Chapter 10, Section 102 was issued to the Hatfield's.
The case was heard by AHA's Registration Commission in November of 2014. Both Terry and Susan Hatfield were found guilty of the charges. The Registration Commission permanently suspended all the Hatfield's registration privileges. The Commission also ordered that the parentage be verified for any horse(s) currently owned by the Hatfield's and for any horse that had been registered by the Hatfield's.
The two (2) horses participated in AHA recognized competitions while under the Hatfield's ownership. They also competed while in the ownership of a subsequent owner. At the time of the competitions, the horses were registered and eligible to compete. However, the Hatfield's had knowingly competed with fraudulent entries. AHA nor the competitions were aware of the fraudulent registrations at the time of competition.
The titles earned in 2010 while shown by the Hatfield's have been stripped. A subsequent owner, who showed the horses on later dates, was unaware. After consultation with both legal counsel and other breed associations, it has been determined the titles earned while shown by the new owner will remain in place as the horses had been shown under valid Certificates of Registration at the time.
Upon review of the case and findings, Glenn T. Petty, AHA's Executive Vice President, stated "As for the awards and prize money won while the horses were under the Hatfield's ownership, a request has been made for the return of those fraudulent winnings. Upon receipt of these awards and prize money, redistribution will take place."
AHA began random testing of Half-Arabians at U.S. Nationals in 2012. This was continued in 2013 and 2014 and will be done in coming years also. No problems were detected through random testing to date. In 2014, the Registration Commission also changed the requirements for registering Half-Arabians that are two years or older to require verification of parentage to the Arabian parent.
Cynthia Richardson, AHA President, praised the work of all involved in this exhaustive investigation and expressed pleasure at the work and actions conducted to insure the integrity of AHA's registration certifications."
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