This meeting, as in most I have attended, focused on AHA financials. The income stream that the local shows generate for AHA begins to come in late April and May. These amounts are estimated to just get AHA by until the entries for the National show start to flow in late June and July. AHA has lost over 7,000 members in the last 2 years. This along with declines in horse registrations and National Shows participations have impacted the financial positional of AHA.

The subscription rate for Modern Arabian Horse magazine is at 52% of members. This department has gone from a negative impact on the AHA bottom line to a $241 better than budget performance. This is due to stronger revenues and significantly reduced expenses.

The Marketing department has picked up some new sponsors and upgraded a few. The new sponsors are Equine Creative Group (Official Live Streaming Provider), Horse Show World (Online Horse Show), and Silver Lining Herbs (Equine and Pet Health Provider).

The conversion to HRS (new computer system) started on April 12. AHA has spent $2.7M on this project and we are all waiting for the “go live” date. We were given a live demo and from what we saw, this will improve customer service, financial accounting and data collection. Rik Harnden a Region 3 member is on the IT Task Force Committee reviewing the progress. Let’s all have good thoughts on the successful launch of this long awaited software.

The 2012 National Shows judges have had a change in assignments. Judy Delongpre Kibler will now be on the Hunter panel and Laurie Martin will be on the Western panel. This change was due to the fact that Judy had judged Western within the last 5 years.

The Canadian Nationals discussion almost consumed as much time as the financials discussion. You should know the Regina facility no longer wanted any competition involving dirt. They have a new facility and did not like the dirt / dust condition livestock / equine events generate. This was all covered up by excessive charges above contract price and it became clear they did not want to hold our show at this facility. We understand that they have expelled the Draft Horses from their facility as well. The Canadian Nationals Show Commission presented a profitable budget ($21K) for the show to be held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. This is a horse facility ran by horsemen. We have a 1 year contract with a 2 year right of renewal. The City is small with a population of 48,000 but the surrounding area population is in the 180,000 range. We were told they have enough hotel rooms and restaurants to handle our exhibitors. There is no major airline that flies into Brandon. A Regional airline flies from Winnipeg into Brandon or it is a 1.5 hour drive from Winnipeg or a 2 hour drive from Minot, ND.

We were informed that 45 other states have some form of “Inherent Risk” law in place. California was not one and Nevada’s was weak or they did not have one as well. I have received a letter from Lance Walters the AHA President supporting the passage of “Inherent Risk” legislation. I will work with the California Farm Bureau and my contact in Sacramento to move this forward. I need someone from Nevada to setup with their legislation.

Show managers who have dressage classes at their shows need to have designated warm-up areas for the dressage riders and anyone on a horse MUST have protective headgear in that arena. USEF has stated that the use of protective helmets in other disciplines will not be penalized. Within the next few years protective headgear requirements will be expanded to include other exhibitors.

A new Breeding/In-Hand Committee was approved by the BOD. We all know that we need more committees! This group felt that they were under represented.

Youth Nationals has a few new wrinkles this year. They include sport horse under saddle and reined cow classes. There will also be a cutting clinic at the show. Go Sharon Richards!

The Ford Arena will become the “primary” arena at US Nationals. It will have an expanded Patron lounge and enhanced décor and they are working on a jumbo TV! The facility has replaced some of the stalls and has plans to replace additional stalls as well.

It seams not a meeting goes by without discussion or a motion about AHA’s position on equine slaughter. I was not the Director when the original motion was passed or later affirmed. This topic is very emotional and some people have very strong feelings. If you do not know AHA’s position is in support of establishment of humane equine processing facilities. A motion was presented to the BOD to change that position to having no official position. To me that is like sitting on the sidelines waiting for someone else to deal with the issue. Personally I have not, nor do I plan to, send a horse to this type of ending. I think that it is your right to choose and in my opinion that is what AHA’s position is. This was reaffirmed with the defeat of the motion presented. I am sure this will come to the Convention floor asking the delegates to take a vote on AHA’s position.

All organizations have Strategic Plans and Mission Statements but most sit on a bookshelf and are not used. AHA has quite a few in this category! The ones that work are put together by a diverse group of Management, Employees, Customers, Members and Board Members. President Walters has assigned the task of renewal of the Strategic Plan and Mission Statement to Vice President Dale Harvill. He has asked that AHA Strategic Planning Questionnaire be available to all members. Please click here for the Questionnaire. The Board is to review and develop a three-year Strategic Plan. If you would take the time to complete and respond to the email address of the form it would be helpful for our organization. Please take the time to fill one out and provide your response to the email addresses stated on form or send it to me at sfreeman@pcoastp.com.

Reminders to all delegates or anyone who may be going to the AHA Convention in Vancouver, BC, GET YOUR PASSPORT NOW! Do not wait until the last moment!

If you have any questions please contact me at 209 478-1138 or freeman@pcoastp.com.


Thank You,

Steve Freeman

Region 3 Director