Greetings all – I hope this report finds all "recovering" from a very blessed Thanksgiving and success if you ventured out on Black Friday.
This report will cover the highlights of the 2011 AHA Convention in Vancouver as well as the Region 15 Caucus Meeting.
If you’re a fan of cold, damp, windy and rainy weather, you loved Vancouver – ok, we did have a couple of clear days when it didn’t rain and we did venture out of the hotel to tour the city. The "steam driven clock" in Gastown (the original part of Vancouver) as well as the views from the observation area – 300 and some feet above the ground - was worth the "cold/breezy" walk.
AHA Board of Directors Meeting
The Board Meeting was very upbeat and the staff reports showed an improvement overall since our last Board Meeting. The finances of AHA have continued to improve over the past year due to 3 of the 4 National Shows coming in over budget; only Youth Nationals missed their target. We have no Class A tickets in the IT/computer conversion area and the repairs to the AHA building are not as extensive as originally forecasted. The Canadian National Show Commission was recognized for their outstanding efforts in relocating the show, on very short notice, and coming in over budget as well. The comments from the exhibitors at the Canadian Show were very favorable and all indications are Canadian Nationals has found a "new home" that exceeded expectations. The reports from the other AHA departments were favorable; our staffing situation requires continuing attention. The Board entertained 30 motions with 28 being approved, 1 postponed and 1 defeated. My "highlighted motions" are: (1) the approval of $25,000 be budgeted annually exclusively for use for youth programs and promotion beginning in FY 2012; (2) that $15,000.00 be budgeted annually for use as matching funds for promotion of programs at the local level up to $300.00 per request beginning in FY2013 and (3) that the Sport Horse National Show be held at the Idaho Horse Center in Nampa, Idaho in 2012 and 2014; and, at the Virginia Horse Center In Lexington, Virginia (where it all began in 2002) in 2013 and 2015 and (4) that USEF fees such as Drugs & Medications/IHP (International High Performance) must be identified and listed separately on entry forms or listed in prize lists.
Since the Board only had 15 resolutions to review, that portion of the meeting went rather quickly with the Board recommending approval of 9 and disapproval of 4; the Board was notified that 2 had been withdrawn.
On a personal note, I was elected to the Sport Horse Nationals Show Commission by the Board and appointed Chairman, Competitions Advisory Committee by the AHA President.
AHA 2011 Convention
Region 15 was represented by 14 delegates out of 27 eligible. 267 delegates out of 466 eligible (57%) delegates attended Convention. The cost of the Convention (airfare/hotel/etc) contributed to the lower than normal attendance with the Regions east of the Mississippi being hit the hardest.
Even though the delegation was smaller than usual, enthusiasm was not lacking. Again the presentations by the AHA President and staff were very upbeat. Dr Heard, the keynote speaker, gave an outstanding presentation focusing on how all breeds needed to work together if we are to survive the problems presented to the horse industry in today’s environment. There were 15 resolutions for the Convention to consider; of those 15, 5 were withdrawn. Of the remaining 10, 9 were approved (6 with modifications) and 1 disapproved. Again, my "highlighted resolutions" are:
(1) approval of the redefinition of age limit for youth from 18 to 19 years of age as of December 1 of the previous calendar year;
(2) approval of the annual convention to be held in Denver after the 2013 convention (2012 convention will be held in Denver, 2013 in Lexington, KY);
(3) approval of ginger testing;
(4) approval of refund of 9-90 fee for a vet-out horse.
Congratulations are in order to Donnie Bullock (Judge) and Marty Kleiner (Show Manager) on their election to the Commissioner’s Review Panel. Mary Ward and Marty Kleiner were recognized as the Region 15 Volunteer Award winners for 2011.
Important dates to mark on your calendars:
Youth Nationals – July 22-29, 2012 - Albuquerque, NM
Canadian Nationals – August 20-25, 2012 - Brandon, Manitoba
Sport Horse Nationals – September 19-23, 2012 - Nampa, Id
US Nationals – October 19-27, 2012 - Tulsa, Ok
REGION 15 CAUCUS
Region 15 had 15 members at the Caucus meeting on Nov 18, 2011. Those present were Gary Hooghkirk (Dir), Mary Ellena Ward (VAHA), Cricket Stoncius (PAHA), Marie Taylor (VAHA), Janet Beehler (ODAHA), Donnie Bullock (VAHA), Ed Peterson (ODAHA), Marty Kleiner (PAHA), Christine Ryan (AHSNJ), Sarah Baldridge (IASA), Debbie Reid (PAHA), Jan Birk (VAHA), Veronica Re (VAHA), Robin Lohnes (VAHA) and Dave Murphy (IASA).
The primary discussion at Caucus centered on insurance for Region 15 events in 2012. Region 15 had received, from Markel, an insurance offer of $6700 for 2012 events. This was approximately $1800.00 less than last year’s insurance cost. Our budget for 2012 contained $3500.00 for insurance based on "austere" funding. At the previous Region 15 meeting, it was determined that the clubs would have to "contribute" the difference between budgeted and actual cost. This became a "grave" concern for many of the clubs. At the Caucus, Donnie Bullock made a motion, seconded by Marty Kleiner, to "take $3200.00 from savings for 2012 insurance. Clubs should expect nothing in 2013. Additionally, the $3200.00 will be taken (off the top) from the 2012 show profit. A committee will be formed to evaluate ways to share cost with the clubs in 2013 and beyond". The motion was passed.
Gary Hooghkirk discussed his intention of instituting a new procedure for dissemination of Region 15 meeting minutes. This procedure will be effective with the first Region 15 meeting in 2012.
There was no discussion at Caucus concerning the Resolutions being presented to the Convention.
Region 15 is happy to announce that 4 judges officiating at the Firecracker/Region 15 Show –July 4-8, 2012 at the Lexington Horse Center, Lexington, VA were selected to judge National Shows in 2012. They are Scott Brumfield (Firecracker), Bruce Bates (Region 15), Diana Cappellanti (Region 15) and Steven Lieblang (Region 15).
The Region 15 meeting dates for 2012:
March 4, 2012 - Frederick, MD
August 19, 2012 Frederick, MD
October 15, 2012 Frederick, MD
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a great 2012.
