Delegate Report from the 2008 AHA Convention in Denver, Colorado
Anita Anderson Grant - anitaagrant@gmail.com
This being my 4th convention as a delegate, I have learned my way around the convention floor. The convention tackles many different areas relating to our Arabian horses and as a result it is hard to sit in on all platforms that you would like to, as a result of double or triple time scheduling restraints. I found myself running from one end to the other but did manage to attend all but a few I was interested in. As Laura gave an impeccable review of the convention, I will highlight the areas I believe you might find interesting.
The Breeders Forum speaks to the same brick wall every year. Our registrations continue to decline and we find ourselves back to submitting stallion reports. One area of concern is the number of Arabians who are not being registered at birth or transferred when sold. As an association and individual member we need to spend extra effort in seeing these things happen. If you are the stallion owner, one needs to follow up with those mare owners and do all possible to promote that registration. When selling your Arabians, it might be wise to handle the transfer as part of the sale, that way the horses heritage will not be lost. A guest at the convention got up and blamed the trainers for some of our problems, what with costs of training and showing and the dispersal of Arabians that do not fit the standard as the trainer sees it. This man was not from this country but did receive a round of applause. Successful breeders of Arabian horses should take their task one step further and offer mentor programs to those who aspire to be breeders, especially those who breed to their stallions. Many aspects of breeding seem to go unnoticed by the newcomers. The breed does itself an injustice by not informing those of the guidelines of wise and smart breeding. Between the Stud fee's, miscellaneous fee's, futurity and registration fees, most small breeders can not even expect to get a return on one of the fee's say nothing about all of them. This is what has brought about the decline or the end of the small breeder or back yard breeder. Many of these breeders are the ones who used to show in halter and no longer can compete in the Halter or Arabian Arena as we know it today. Other breeds do not command the fee's or stud fees our breed does and many of those fanciers have regrettably gone to other breeds. The fragile economic times only cause us to wonder what 2009 will bring. These were all concerns and suggestions brought to the floor that day.
The Marketing & Development Committee has done a fabulous job with a new documentary to be released bringing the breed back to the beginning and fast forwarding it to today. Look for it on your cable or satellite stations. When we hear a date, channel and time, hopefully we will be able to announce it on the MAHA website. The Black Stallion Literacy Program went through some ups and downs and hopefully that will have been corrected so that MAHA can get Minnesota on the Black Stallion Literacy map. The Community shows did not meet their goal of 90 shows for 2008, however most shows were successful and the exhibitors were very pleased with the concept of the shows. One day, inexpensive show fees, great horses and good times!
The Modern Arabian Horse magazine has proved to be very successful earning several industry awards, despite the name. I have yet to speak with anyone who approves of the change of the name.
Once open, I sincerely hope that each and every one of us is able to make the trip to the Arabian Horse Galleries in Lexington, Kentucky. Hopefully, while the "Gift of the Desert" is still in residence. The promo's we saw brought tears to the eye. I for one am so proud to know that The Arabian horse will be portrayed to the public in its true splendor for all time.
In conclusion I might say that my frustrations with AHA and the convention continue. On contested resolutions I find it unthinkable that we vote by voice and if that is inconclusive a standing vote. It is a fact that many Delegates are intimidated into voting for (the machine, so to speak) when in fact they were against. Remember many there are judges, trainers and powers that be. I would suggest that Region 10 bring forth a resolution next year to make voting by ballot on all resolutions other than "housekeeping."
As the Public Relations Rep for Minnesota for Region 10 I attended
the PR Meeting on Sunday and many changes are taking place as they
got off to a very rough start from the beginning. I will continue
on as the Minnesota PR Rep for 2009. I have many plans to bring
the Arabian horse to the forefront of Minnesota Equines. I will
be working with Hilary Nixon at AHA. Plans include speaking at
some of the private schools, Rotary, Horse Expo, and a variety
of other ways to bring this horse into the public's eye. Have any
ideas or want to help? I would be most happy to hear your ideas
or have your join in the fun!
Thank you for allowing me to support you in your voice at convention.
Arabianly,
Anita Anderson Grant