Delegate Reports From the 2007 AHA Convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Laura Mickelson - lauramickelson@aol.com
This convention, my 26th, kicks off a celebration of the Centennial of the Arabian Horse Registry was wilder than most with several issues stirring emotions. There were more counted votes than I can remember! To see text of approved resolutions, elections results, view the President’s State of the Association speech, and other information about the Convention, go to: http://www.arabianhorses.org/membership/convention/2007/
The biggest problem that AHA faces is the continuing decline in registrations. There has been a 40% decline since 1995 with a 9.2% decline from 2006. There is also an overall decline in the horse population in general and even the stock breeds are experiencing declines in registrations and show entries. With the stallion reports being used again, AHA will market directly to the mare owners to register the foals. Many people feel that a lot more Arabians are bred than are registered and the stallion reports will give us accurate information.
Resolution 17-07, which sought to delay the implementation of the Arabian Scoring System until the 2010 show season failed by a wide margin—179 opposed to 84 in favor. The disturbing thing about this is that 138 delegates were either not in the room or abstained. On the one hand, if votes on subjects like these were by written ballot, more people would vote. It is a sad fact that many are intimidated by having to vote publicly by standing and being counted. On the other hand, one would like to think that delegates would have more backbone. I can assure you that your MAHA delegates do NOT have this problem.
Another controversial resolution was 15-07 which passed by 18 votes (187-169 with 45 abstaining). 15-07 allows a show to have two judges for the same class with two sets of placings. Issues relating to qualification, achievement award and sweepstakes points are not resolved. In addition, AHA rules and systems have to be reviewed to support this. I voted against this and would be happy to provide a detailed list of reasons to any member who is interested.
The third result that I would like to discuss relates to scoring systems. There were two resolutions on this subject and much discussion as to the extreme dissatisfaction with the system we approved at last year’s convention. After amendments, defeats, and motions to reconsider and then to send to committee, the delegates voted to return to MOS. There was some talk that a new system will be presented at the 2008 convention, but for this year, it is back to MOS!
There were two resolutions from the Judges & Stewards Steering Committee that were aimed at reducing the chaos at the end of English and park classes where people go in all directions and do not come to the line-up. Both of these passed. 09-07 allows work offs again in the hopes that people will get into line more quickly and save their horses for a possible work off. 10-07 requires judges in Park, English, Country English, and in all driving, combination and roadster classes to penalize exhibitors who reverse and do not come to the lineup in the same direction in which the class was working at the time the line up was called.
Outside of resolutions, there were contested elections and a number of interesting committee reports and speakers.
ELECTIONS:
The incumbents (Lance Walters, VP and Jan Decker, Secretary) retained
their seats despite challenges from Chuck Mangan and Cynthia
Richardson respectively. The results of all elections can
be found on the AHA website.
SWEEPSTAKES:
The changes in the Sweepstakes program have proved
to be successful.
- points and in utero nominations are up
- number of distance rides participating is up substantially
- fund balance is $7,590,000, up almost $3.5 million from its
2005 low of $4,537,900
- AHA Board returned $45,000 in interest money to Sweepstakes
fund in 2007 and will return $150,000 in 2008
- anticipated points program pay out is $20 per point
- will accept stallion and breeding nominations for/from foreign-based
horses
- classes added to points payout for 2008:
Arabian Western Pleasure, Open
HA/AA Western Pleasure, Open
MARKETING:
Several very exciting things are happening in this area. First,
there will be a permanent Arabian wing, the Arabian Horse Gallery,
added to the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky
Horse Park that will house the collection of the Arabian Horse
Trust, which focuses on the Arabian in America. This is scheduled
to open in June of 2009, in time for the World Equestrian Games
that will be held at the Park in 2010. For more information,
go to www.purebredarabiantrust.com.
A second Arabian exhibition, The Gift from the Desert, will be open for the Games as well. This temporary exhibit is the latest in the International series held at the Park and is funded by a Saudi foundation. It will concentrate on the history and legacy of the Arabian horses.
The Marketing Development and Promotion committee showed the Arabian
commercial that is running on Tommy Garlands cable horse show. The
commercial generated over 1000 hits to the AHA website. The
plan is to get this out to other cable outlets and to add it to
YouTube in the spring. Other information from the MDP included:
The documentary on the Arabian horse is nearly completed and will
work on getting it air time on Animal Planet, The History Channel
and Discovery
Community shows exceeded expectations
- Grew from 55 in 2006 to 80 in 2007
- Expecting 90 shows in 2008 (30 already signed up)
- Will reinstate the $200 incentive for the first 50 shows
SPEAKERS:
Jack Kelly, CEO of the World Equestrian Games,
which will take place over 16 days in September of 2010, noted
that this is the first time that these games will be held outside
of Europe. They already have over $7M in ticket sales,
14,000 volunteers (of 15,000 needed), 120 commercial vendors
(there were 225 last year in Aachen Germany), and have sold more
merchandize already than was sold for the 2007 games. He
showed a video that featured the Arabian winner of the endurance
ride along with all of the events including reining, vaulting,
jumping, dressage, and eventing. The world will be coming
to Kentucky in 2010 and there will be TWO major Arabian exhibits
as the Horse Park for them to enjoy!
David O’Connor, President of USEF, talked about the firm ongoing partnership between USEF and AHA. AHA and USEF are working on a Memorandum of Understanding that set out the basis of this partnership and both will work on reducing redundancy and administrative burdens, the strategic placement of Arabians in the sporting disciplines, and improving technology to make things flow more smoothly between the two. USEF will also be broadening its focus to horse lovers and not just competitors and will launch a new promotional program called “On the Road” that will move around the country promoting horses and will create a MySpace of program in 2008.
Lollie Ames and Larry Kinnear, for the new Arabian Horse Foundation, spoke on the goals of this recently created 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The three main areas of focus for the Foundation are:
- Youth scholarships and education
- Research in diseases and health problems especially those that
affect the Arabian horse
- Catastrophic events aid and support
Clubs, Regions and individuals pledged over $100,000 during the Convention. Monies donated are tax deductible and may be designated to one of the above areas. I heard but could not confirm that the Foundation will also add an area relating to unwanted horses.
James Hickey, President of the American Horse Council, talked about the efforts of the AHC to promote and protect the interests of horse owners at the US Congress and noted that AHA had been a long time supporter of the AHC. The AHC is currently working on the Equine Equity Act will decrease the holding period for horses for capital gains treatment from 24 to 12 months and allow race horses to be depreciated over 7 rather than 3 years. In addition, the new Farm Bill contains provisions that would help horse owners in the event of a catastrophic event and deals with a streamlined process for helping alien agricultural workers stay in the country. There is also a Protecting Equine Heritage (right to ride) legislation in Congress that is aimed at keeping horse trail open on federal lands. The AHC is an active participant in the Unwanted Horse Coalition,
RESOLUTIONS:
* indicates resolution was approved as modified
| 2007 Approved Resolutions | Effective |
| 01-07 *Defined the election of Membership Committee chair | Immediately |
| 02-07 *Internal Audit Committee composition | Immediately |
| 05-07 Changed the achievement awards points for dressage | 12/01/08 |
| 06-07 *Defined Sport Horse appointments/attire | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 07-07 Changed Reining/Cow Horse bridle requirements | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 08-07 Allows number on pad in reining seat equitation | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 09-07 *Allows work-offs | 01/01/08 |
| 10-07 *Requires to come to line up without reversing | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 13-07 Requires scores be announced for reining seat equitation | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 14-07 Reining scores can be announced during next ride | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 15-07 *Two judges, one class, two placings | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 16-07 New Class A show can have vet on call | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 19-07 *Adds Walk/Trot trail specs | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 20-07 Jump heights for AOTR Working Hunters at 2’9” | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 21-07 *Changes jump heights for ATR/JTR Working Hunters | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 22-07 *Adds Green Working Hunter Division | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 23-07 *Adds Low Jumper specs | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 24-07 Adds Modified Working Hunter specs | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 26-07 *Level judges seminar requires go from 3 to 6 years | When approved by USEF/EC |
| 27-07 *Nat’l shows must use specialty judges for over fences | 01/01/08 |
| 30-07 *Returns to use of MOS | 01/01/08 |
NOTE: Effective date for USEF is generally April 1, but check www.usef.org for actual dates. May be as late as Dec 1, 2008.
2007 DISAPPROVED RESOLUTIONS
04-07 *Annual Convention Agenda Procedures
17-07 Defer Arabian scoring system for breeding/in hand classes
until 11/30/09
30-07 *Three judge total point system
2007 WITHDRAWN RESOLUTIONS
03-07 *Limit members from serving on multiple National show
commissions and from serving on the Board and a show commission.
11-07 *Halter horses to enter the ring at a trot (not necessary
after 17-07 failed)
12-07 *Allow walk in halter classes to be at beginning or
end of the class
18-07 New Trail scoring system
25-07 Add pony hunter classes
28-07 Allow regionals to qualify for next year’s regionals
29-07 Cutting horses exempt from 9-90 fees