Greetings All –
I hope everyone is having a great start to 2010. I didn’t produce a Director’s Message in January as I wanted to wait until after my trip to Denver last week. This will be a “long” Director’s message since it will cover the Judges/Stewards Selection Cmte, Competition Advisory Cmte and the AHA Board Meeting.
However, before I start down that trail, I want to again congratulate Laura Killian on her selection as the Region 15 Youth Director. Laura lives in Lancaster, Pa and I’m looking forward to working with her. I encourage anyone who is coming to the March meeting to invite Laura to ride to the meeting with you.
Now, on to last week’s business; I’ll address BOD agenda items that are not “housekeeping” in nature.
JUDGES AND STEWARDS SELECTION CMTE
On Wednesday and Thursday morning, we prioritized approximately 267 Judges and Stewards/TDs to meet the requirements of the 4 National Shows in 2011. The Cmte made a concerted effort to utilize qualified Judges and Stewards who had not participated in the past few years.
COMPETITIONS ADVISARY COMMITTEE
On Wednesday afternoon, our discussions covered the following: (1) Fee Increases; (2) Hunter/Jumper Cmte Motions; (3) Sport Horse Motions; (4) Points Monitoring Cmte Motions; (5) Sport Horse National Plaques; and (5) qualifying For Regional Shows.
AHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
RAINY DAY FUND
MOTION : The Board of Directors approved the establishment of a Rainy Day Contingency Fund at the November 19, 2008 Board Meeting, to be established with $250,000.00 initially and then the greater of $50,000 or 10% of operating profit each fiscal year. It was subsequently discovered that AHA did not have the initial funds to endow this fund.
MOVED: That the Board of Directors rescind the initial
endowment and change the ongoing funding to be 10% of
operating profit, after adjustment of operating profit by the
difference between the Sweepstakes principle and interest for the
fiscal year and operating depreciation expense excluding any
potential depreciation for the new registration system.
Effective: Immediately.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
APPROVAL OF FY 2011 BUDGET
MOTION: The Budget & Finance Committee has reviewed the budget which includes fee increases; and The AHA staff has provided historical documentation to the Budget & Finance Committee regarding program fees; and Most fee increases were last implemented five year ago; and AHA and the Budget & Finance Committee should take a fiscally responsible stance and review fees on a regular basis and make recommendations for increases to keep AHA financially solvent.
MOVED: That the AHA FY 2011 Budget be approved with the
increases as presented; and all fee increases will be conveyed to
the membership in written documentation which will include
immediate e-mail blasts, the AHA Handbook and Modern Arabian
Horse magazine, 30 days prior to the April 1, 2010 implementation
of the FY 2011 Budget.
Effective: Immediately.
Motion Passed.
Fees Impacted – Impacts “Now” On AHA Budget
Horse Achievement Awards:
Initial Enrollment fee/horse - $35 to $45
Annual Renewal fee/horse - $30 to $35
Amateur Achievement Awards:
Initial Enrollment Fee - $35 to $45
Annual Enrollment Fee - $30 to $35
Dressage Programs:
Open Show Qual. Program Annual Enrollment - $30 to $35
After 30 Days - $60 to $65
USDF All Breed Awards/Horse/Year - $20 - $25
After 30 Days - $30 - $35
Dressage Rider Award Program/Level - $35 to $45
Distance Horse Programs:
Distance Awards Initial Enroll/Horse - $35 to $40
Distance Awards Renewal/Horse/Year - $30 to $35
Qualification Program:
Open Show Qual Annual Enrollment - $30 to $35
Open Show Qual After 30 Days - $60 to $65
Show/Ride Recognition Fees:
Show Fee Per Horse - $1 to $3
Regional Endurance Ride - $25 to $30
Local Endurance Ride - $20 to $25
Local Competitive Ride - $20 to $25
Failure To Submit Prize List Within 30 Days - $100 to $150
Adding Classes After Prize List Printed - $25 to $30
MOTION:
It is inconvenient to change the 2010 show fee per horse from $1
to $3 a horse mid show season. The Modern Arabian Horse
magazine subscription fee is more palatable effective immediately.
MOVED: That the FY 2011 budget be amended to reflect a Modern
Arabian Horse magazine subscription at $20; and, that the show
charge per horse be amended to $3 per horse effective December
31, 2010.
Motion Defeated.
AWARDS COMMITTEE
MOVED: That Athena+++//, Gilet+/, TH Barbarian+, and TS Black Tie Affair be approved by the BOD to receive the AHA 2009 Ambassador Award.
Effective:Immediately.
Motion Passed Unanimously
MOTION:
The current Ambassador Award rules state that “When the rider or
handler of the horse is not the owner, a duplicate award will be
presented to both the owner and the rider or handler”. The
possibility of the number of awards doubling in a single year will be
detrimental to the budget. All Market Development and Promotion
funding has been pulled. The rider or handler should have the
option of receiving an Ambassador Award trophy.
MOVED: That the rules be modified as follows: “A suitable trophy
will be presented to each recipient. The owner of the horse
selected has the option to purchase a duplicate award if the
rider/driver/handler is different.”
Effective:Immediately
Motion Passed Unanimously.
DRESSAGE COMMITTEE
The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) show year ends September 30 and the AHA USDF All-Breed Awards are finalized by USDF on October 15. Additional processing time is needed to ensure that all eligible Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians receive their awards.
MOVED: That the AHA USDF All-Breed Awards program deadline
of “before October 1” be changed to “before September 1”.
Effective Immediately.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
HUNTER/JUMPER COMMITTEE Jumpers competing at AHA shows have only one class available to them, or only two classes if ridden by an amateur, up through the National level. The popular Mini-Jumper Prix has been eliminated from the Sport Horse Nationals, thereby further limiting the Jumper classes available. Jumper classes are some of the most exciting classes offered at Arabian shows and draw spectators, More Jumpers would enter AHA shows if more classes were made available to them. Our current jumper classes are limited to 3’6”, yet many Arabian bred jumpers are showing in open USEF shows at fence heights well above this. Bigger fences attract bigger audiences. The best way to encourage Jumper participation is to allow a variety of fence heights suitable for a variety of training levels of horse and riders, Gamblers Choice Jumper classes offer that type of variety in a single class, attracting both exhibitors and spectators alike, Gamblers Choice is an approved USEF class (JP149),
MOVED: Tha tthe following Jumper class code be created on the Standard Class List:
Arabian/Half Arabian/Anglo Arabian Gamblers Choice Jumper
MOVED: That AHA Article 1366.6 be amended to add Gamblers
Choice Jumper to the exception list of classes which may be
combined into Arabian, Half-Arabian/ Anglo-Arabian.
Effective Upon approval by the Board of Directors.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
MOTION:
The Hunter/Jumper Committee was not consulted prior to
establishing the qualification requirements for Green Working
Hunters at the Regional’s and Nationals. Green Working Hunter
qualifications were waived at the 2009 Nationals. Green Working
Hunters were the largest Hunter classes at the 2009 Nationals.
The AHA Points Monitoring Committee directed the Hunter/Jumper
Committee to the Board of Directors for this request. It is in the
best interest of AHA and the Arabian horse to encourage the
continued success of this division at the Regional and National
level.
MOVED: That the qualifications for purebred Arabian Green Working
Hunters and for Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Green Working Hunters
be removed for Nationals and Regional’s.
Effective: Upon approval by the Board of Directors.
Motion Passed.
MOVED: That the qualifications for purebred Arabian Jumpers and
Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Jumpers, both Open and ATR, be
removed at the Regional and National levels.
Effective Upon approval by the Board of Directors.
Motion Passed.
COMPETITIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MOTION: The Sport Horse Committee is asking that the attached list of split classes for the sport horse division be added to the Standard Class List. It is optional for any show to offer these classes. There would be no additional expense for another judge. The rules of attire and conduct are already in our rules. There would be no need for changes. Hunter and Dressage attire could be found in each class of splits. The splits are not about attire, the splits are addressing the different types of movement and carriage that can be seen in these classes. By adding the splits, it will allow AHA and the Sport Horse Committee to track the numbers of entries that will be supporting these classes.
MOVED: That the Board of Directors accept the list of Sport Horse
Classes, as presented, to be added to the Standard Class List.
Effective: As soon as approved, January 2010.
Motion Referred to Sport Horse Committee.
MOTION: There is a perception and reality of inequality in
the judging of Sport Horse In Hand classes. The same
perception was previously demonstrated in the judging of Half-
Arabians prior to the optional division into Stock/Hunter and Saddle
Pleasure. The optional division of Sport Horse In Hand classes,
Dressage Type and Hunter Type will allow for a more balanced
Competition. The division of the Sport Horse In Hand will
encourage more exhibitors to take part, thus increasing the size
and income; and Additional officials WOULD NOT need to be hired.
MOVED: That The Sport Horse in Hand classes be divided into
Dressage Type and Hunter Type. That the division of the Sport
Horse In Hand class is optional and at the discretion of show
Management. That the following addition be made to the current
USEF Rule AR158 General paragraph 2; addition to begin as a, and
read as follows: a. Sport Horse in hand classes may be divided at the
discretion of competition management into Dressage type in hand
and Hunter type in hand. Once a horse has shown in Dressage
type in hand or Hunter type in hand, that horse may not show
in-hand classes for the other type at that competition if classes are
divided by type. Competition management is encouraged to offer
separate Championship classes for each type, but the
championship classes may be combined at competition
management's discretion.
(1) Dressage type- displays the conformation qualities necessary for dressage type events. Horses of this type carry a higher set-on neck than the Hunter type with sufficient length and flexion of the poll in such a way as to allow the horse to set up in the bridle properly. The trot should be free, elastic, active and regular without hesitation and with natural balance.
(2) Hunter type- should display the conformation and movement typically found in Hunter events. Horses of this type carry a lower set on neck than the dressage type horse, yet must display a natural looking carriage, not too high or too low. The stride of the Hunter is long and low in a relaxed manner, but with good push from behind with low hock action.
That this motion be considered as extraordinary.
Effective:Within 30 days of AHA Board of Directors approval.
Motion Referred to Sport Horse Committee.
POINTS MONITORING COMMITTEE
MOTION : Select classes were added to the “Approved National Classes not yet added to any National Shows” list at the November 2009 Board meeting; and Both Canadian and U.S. Nationals are adding Select classes to their schedules; and there are currently no qualifications for these classes at the National level.
MOVED: That The following qualifications be used for Arabian
and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Select classes at Canadian and U.S. Nationals:
English - 2 Points
Country - 5 points
Hunter - 10 Points
Western - 5 points
Effective: With the 2010 Canadian and U.S. National qualification period.
Motion Passed Unanimously.
MOTION: Horses and/or riders may qualify for any Regional show using qualifications from any AHA recognized show and
exhibitors wish to compete in surrounding regions but cannot because of time constraints in finding a show to qualify at; and
exhibitors are only showing enough to get qualified in their own region; and the cost of fuel, hauling, airline fees, hotels and rental cars are increasing every year adding to the exhibitor's show budget keeping them from attending more out of region shows; and with the increased costs to exhibitors, trainers are only taking approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of their show string to outside regions to qualify, and with the short show season in most areas, and with
multiple shows on the same weekend, our local shows are not getting the full benefit of local trainers or outside trainers, competing with their full show string at every show in their regions;
and the extra stress of hauling, and being away from home is a burden to our horses and exhibitors, and must be taken into account by owners and trainers when planning their show calendar each year.
MOVED: That AHA allow for a two year trial period of horses and riders to be able to qualify for any regional show using qualifications earned at any AHA recognized show in any region. Regional shows not wishing to take part in this trial have the ability to opt out as long as notice is received by AHA by February 15,2010. Those regional shows opting out must be published in the next Modern Arabian Horse magazine and notices sent out via an AHA e-blast by March 1,2010.
Effective: Immediately
Motion Withdrawn
NOTE: There was discussion of a test proposed by the Competitions Advisory Cmte that entailed the odd numbered Regions to accept entries in 2011. The even numbered Regions would accept entries in 2012. Then based on the impact to local clubs (based on show statistics collected by AHA), AHA would make a decision to go/no go in 2013.
SWEEPSTAKES TRUSTEES MEETING
MOTION: That the AHA Sweepstakes Board of Trustees accepts the AHA Breeders Sweepstakes Commission’s concept proposal and approves the Commission to move forward with regards to the Sweepstakes Stallion Service Auction. Effective upon approval by the Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes Trustees. Motion Passed Unanimously.
NOTE: If you would like to see the slides regarding the Auction proposal, email me and I’ll send you the slides.
That about covers what happened in Denver for Jan 26th through Jan 30th. As I mentioned at the beginning, if you would like additional information on any of the motions presented or have heard something you would like clarified, just email me.
I’m sure there will plenty of “healthy” discussion at the meeting on March 7th.
Take care and I’ll see you then……..
