2009 Arabian horse Association Convention Report
Ann Benson
The meeting opened with a report from president Lance Walters addressing financial concerns and the general state of the Arabian Horse Association.
The Sweepstakes funds are in the process of being repaid, with $70,000 repaid and $600,000 still due. The balance will be repaid by August 2010. They have hired a new audit company that will report finances every two months to the board. Going forward all departments will be reviewed on a P&L basis.
2009 National shows and rides all missed budget. Horses in Canada were down and were net to 2008 at US Nationals. Canada is doing $64 million in facility improvements. Albuquerque is improving facilities and Tulsa is still considered a work in progress. We are there through 2010 with no decisions yet for 2011. There were issues at Sport Horse Nationals in Lexington this year also. Solutions are being sought.
The Treasurer reported that we had a net loss of $312,000 in 2009. This is due primarily to a loss of revenue from the National shows. Estimate for 2010 is to breakeven or have a slight profit. Purebred registrations are down 10% and half-Arabian's are down 24%. Adult memberships are down 10% and Youth are down 13%. AHA office staff has been downsized by 8 with a net YTD payroll savings of $650,000. On the positive side, the Denver home office building is paid in full and mortgage free.
Sweepstakes point payments will pay out at around $20 per point. The commission is considering a new 2yr.old futurity as well as increasing the payout in the yearling futurity.
AHA is hoping to get show programs on line this year. This has been a 4 year IS project to the tune of $2.5 million. We have a new Judges and Stewards Commissioner, Stan Morey. He has extensive judging and training experience. Previous Commissioners have not had those specific qualifications.
Scott Benjamin gave a wonderful presentation on Arabian Horse Type, which he defined as a combination of characteristics or collection of traits. Traits with an emphasis on beauty and utility. He touched on origin, characteristics necessary for survival, and type essentials. Type to include balance, quality, athleticism and disposition. The chief hallmarks of type can be viewed by observing the head, neck, topline, croup and tail.
The Arabian Horse Foundation is raising money for a scholarship in Patrick Swayze's name. They have raised $25,000 with donations still coming in. This group focuses on scholarship, equine research, and horse rescue and assistance.
Marketing and promotion listed its 2010 focus as follows; attending equine events, Discovery farms, Modern Arabian Magazine, and corporate sponsors. Our newest sponsor is Adequan. They are excited to be a part of our breed. They are anxious to offer support through clinics. You can contact them at adequan.com.
The Arabian Horse Gallery at the Kentucky Horse Park is scheduled for an April 2010 opening. It will open with an exhibit on Arabian Horse origins from Egypt.
We also had a presentation by the American Horse Council, our equine advocate in Washington. Horses in America are a $102 billion industry. They are currently working on legislation on expense deduction, amnesty program for farm and Ag workers, trail creation and maintenance, general horse welfare, unwanted horses and horse transport.
As you may already know, AHA supports horse adoption and re-homing. They are not condoning slaughter but believe that their members should have a choice.
There were not many major resolutions submitted this year. Of importance is the awarding of full top tens at National Shows. Laura Mickelson provides an excellent overview of other resolutions.
Respectively submitted,
Ann Benson