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ARIZONA QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 860212375 · Form 990 · FY2021 · Small ($100K-$1M) · azqha.org
revenue
$513K
expenses
$725K
net assets
$1.8M
employees
2
program ratio
95%
mission · from form 990

THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS MULTIPLE HORSE SHOWS EACH YEAR. THEIR MAIN EVENT IS THE ANNUAL ARIZONA SUN COUNTRY CIRCUIT HORSE SHOW HELD IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ. THE SHOW IS OPEN TO ANYONE WITH A REGISTERED QUARTER HORSE.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Arizona Quarter Horse Association (AzQHA) organizes the annual Sun Circuit, a premier equine event featuring competitions across various disciplines for horse exhibitors. The event attracts thousands of participants and spectators, offering substantial prizes and a festive atmosphere. AzQHA aims to enhance the experience of horse showing while promoting the quarter horse breed in Arizona.

named programs · 1 · from sources

what they call their work

Sun Circuit
An annual equine event featuring competitions in various disciplines, offering substantial prizes and awards to participants.
activities · 4 clusters

what they do

  • Youth Scholarships & Awards in Equestrian Events 3 activities
    • Administers scholarships and youth support initiatives
      Offers multiple scholarship opportunities to Youth members and supports youth programs through fundraising activities such as the 50/50 raffle. Also sponsors stalls and entries for the AzQHA Youth World Show team.
    • Provides scholarships and prizes
      Offers multiple scholarship opportunities to youth members and awards prizes such as saddles and cash. During the 2025 Arizona Sun Circuit, 38 saddles and various prizes were awarded, and over $81,000 was distributed in added-money classes and $35,700 in AQHA roping.
    • Supports youth members through scholarships and programs
      Offers multiple scholarship opportunities and supports youth development through events like the Youth Versatility Challenge fundraiser, 50/50 raffles, and sponsorship of the AzQHA Youth World Show team.
  • Equine Sport Training & Competition 3 activities
    • Hosts and manages horse show events
      Organizes and runs horse show events including the April Show and the Arizona Sun Circuit, featuring multiple classes such as NRCHA, NSBA, and AQHA disciplines, with judging, entries, and stall reservations managed through Cognito forms. The 2026 Arizona Sun Circuit included nearly 30,000 AQHA entries and almost 40,000 total entries.
    • Produces event resources and materials
      Provides downloadable resources for competitors including a complete class schedule with fees and the Spring Fling Pattern Book, which contains AQHA patterns for disciplines such as Showmanship, Horsemanship, Trail, and Ranch Riding.
    • Provides event resources and score reporting
      Makes event resources available to participants, including downloadable class schedules with fees, Spring Fling Pattern Books with AQHA patterns, and online posting of score sheets and points standings when available.
  • Equine Competition Awards & Incentives 1 activity
    • Awards prize money and prizes at competitions
      Provides added cash awards and distributes prizes at events, including over $81,000 awarded in AQHA and NSBA added-money classes and $35,700 in AQHA roping at the 2025 Arizona Sun Circuit, along with 38 saddles and other prizes.
  • Uncategorized 11 activities
    • Administers youth programs and competitions
      Supports youth members through competitive events such as the Youth Versatility Challenge, Youth World Show team sponsorship, and the AQHA Region 7 Youth Conference, which promotes leadership and growth. Also calculates and posts youth points standings through the Sun Circuit.
    • Calculates and publishes competitive standings
      Tracks and posts points standings for youth, amateur, and open categories through the Sun Circuit program, supporting competitive transparency and recognition across divisions.
    • Calculates and publishes competitive standings
      Tracks and posts points standings for youth, amateur, and open categories through the Sun Circuit, and publishes score sheets from horse show events when available.
    • Conducts fundraising activities
      Runs fundraising initiatives including reining paid warm-ups and a 50/50 raffle, with proceeds supporting youth programs and scholarships.
    • Conducts fundraising activities
      Runs fundraising initiatives including 50/50 raffles, reining paid warm-ups, and events like the Youth Versatility Challenge to support youth programs and scholarships.
    • Hosts and manages horse show events
      Organizes multiple horse show events annually, including the April Show, Arizona Sun Circuit, and Region 7 Youth Conference, featuring a full slate of classes such as NRCHA, NSBA, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Equitation, Trail, Ranch Trail, and WT Ranch Riding. The 2026 Arizona Sun Circuit included nearly 30,000 AQHA entries and almost 40,000 total entries.
    • Hosts horse show events with competitive classes and prize awards
      Organizes large-scale horse show events, including the Arizona Sun Circuit and April Show, featuring a full slate of classes such as NRCHA, NSBA, and AQHA disciplines, with prize money and awards. The 2026 Arizona Sun Circuit included nearly 30,000 AQHA entries and almost 40,000 total entries, with over $81,000 awarded in added-money classes and $35,700 in AQHA roping.
    • Hosts specialized competitive derbies and futurities
      Conducts targeted competitive events such as the Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle Derby with $600 added money and Trail futurities with cash awards and prizes, providing niche opportunities for specific competitor groups.
    • Hosts youth leadership and development conferences
      Organizes the AQHA Region 7 Youth Conference to promote leadership and growth among youth members, including a 2026 event focused on youth engagement.
    • Manages youth programs and leadership development events
      Supports youth members through competitive and educational events, including the AQHA Region 7 Youth Conference and the Youth Versatility Challenge. Provides leadership growth opportunities and recognizes youth achievement in all-around and ranch disciplines.
    • Provides event logistics and operational support
      Manages class entries, stall reservations, and event scheduling using Cognito Forms. Publishes score sheets, class schedules with fees, and provides downloadable pattern books for events including Showmanship, Horsemanship, Equitation, Trail, Ranch Trail, and WT Ranch Riding.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$513K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$513K100%
Investment income$3680%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$725K
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$111K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$2.01M
Cash$1.99M
Investments$0
Liabilities$178K
Net assets$1.83M
Liquid reserves33.0 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue -85.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DOUG HULS CEO 40 $76K
CONNIE HAY SECRETARY 40 $30K
board members · 1
  • BOARD OF DIRECTORS — SEE ATTACHED
relationships · 16

who they work with

  • AQHA Partner — Collaborated on event organization and prize presentations.
  • AQHA Partner — Organizes events similar to the AQHA World Show and refers to AQHA Youth dates and deadlines.
  • American Quarter Horse Foundation Partner — Mentions the American Quarter Horse Foundation Scholarship Deadline.
  • Anchor Cross Ranch Partner — Sponsored the Amateur Boxers competition.
  • Cinch Partner — Sponsored the Horsemanship competition.
  • Cushing Performance Horses Partner — Sponsored the Arizona Golden Cowboy title event.
  • Gil Galyean Quarter Horses Partner — Sponsored the Western Pleasure events.
  • Kathy’s Show Equipment Partner — Sponsored the Sterling Custom Saddle for winners.
  • Kent Ray Taylor Partner — Sponsored the $10,000 Added KRT Show Horses 4 & 5 Year Old NSBA Open Trail event.
  • Kimes Ranch Partner — Sponsored the Junior and Senior Spectaculars during the event.
  • Miller Family Quarter Horses Funder — Sponsors the April Show.
  • Ogden Ranch Funder — Sponsors the Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle Derby.
  • Ogden Ranch Partner — Co-sponsored a lunch party for exhibitors.
  • Parks Performance Horses Partner — Sponsored the Amateur Spectacular event.
  • WestWorld Partner — Provided facilities for the Arizona Sun Circuit event.
  • WestWorld Partner — Worked in partnership to enhance facilities for the Sun Circuit.