The Amateur Arena      
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POST CONVENTION 2005                                                                           February – 2006 

 Now, to recapture the enthusiasm that seemed so prevalent at said Convention.  This was one of the most, if not THE most, upbeat and forward looking Conventions I have ever attended.  What’s more, after many years of having (I)AHA tell us we needed to get back to the grassroots, it appeared to be finally happening and in spades.  There was an atmosphere of real concern for the amateur at the local level. 

 For instance, with the new point system for Sweepstakes payouts, there will be more money available at the local level especially in selected Amateur classes.  This is, at last,  tacitly recognizing a fact long held by many,  that every person who buys an Arabian horse does not necessarily want to go all the way to the Nationals.  Of course, it is also an enticement to encourage more breeders to nominate their horses, new owners to compete in Arabian shows and it follows as night the day to become new members of AHA.  It definitely is good for all concerned, except, perhaps, those who were looking forward to the possibility of winning one of those big pay-offs at the Nationals. 

 Then there is the new concept of Community Shows.  What could be more friendly to the new Arabian owner and the Amateur, to say nothing of the local clubs?

 For those Amateurs who are already eyeing the Nationals, Lance Walters asked the opinion of the Amateur Committee on a couple of concepts.  They are considering re-arranging the schedule of classes to hold the Amateur classes all together.  This will enable the amateur to stay at the show for only four or five days instead of for the duration in order to make their classes.  It is hoped this will create a place where people can come and not feel intimidated.  Then, there is the possibility of offering a Grand Championship class for the winners in the age split classes.  The winners of each age group can compete to find the Grand National Champion of that discipline.   After all, you can’t really have more than one National Champion in, for instance, English Pleasure. 

 The idea of offering classes for Amateur Owner Trained horses was brought up.  My question has been do we really need these kinds of classes now that Community Shows may provide the same opportunity.  Let’s see how things go.

 Jan Decker, Chair of the Local Shows and Events Ad Hoc Committee, has available copies of her study called “The ABC’s of Horse Show Management.”  This in  no way tells you HOW to put on a horse show.  It has to do with the three grades of horse shows and should be especially interesting to Sport Horse and Dressage enthusiasts, as well as any clubs that wish to offer sport horse/dressage classes or entire competitions for these disciplines.  She will be happy to send copies upon request.  She can be reached, of course, through the AHA office.

 Change was certainly in the air at this Convention.  Since Husband Charlie is a very active member of the Committee Structure Re-Organization Ad Hoc Committee, I was very interested

 in attending the meeting.  Listening to the discussions and talking to people and without jumping the gun on the results, my take went something like this –

 -          roll call takes too long (committees are too big)

-          there should be no closed meetings at Convention (smacks of exclusive)

-          how to control non-performance of National Chairs

-          better communication is imperative

-          how could a Job Description for National Chairs be enforced?  

 AND  so much for the Grapevine.  There was absolutely nothing, that I know of, about any changes in the Membership structure, but nothing is carved in stone.  If it turns out to be too much of a hassle, further study would certainly be in order.

 One of the things discussed at the meeting of the Regional Amateur Committee, was the complaint that Amateurs entering competitions, especially Regionals and Nationals, and who do not travel with a trainer, all too often get the short end of the stick on stall assignments.  The suggestion was made that a group of amateurs get together and act as an entity.  Send in their entries TOGETHER, requesting to be stalled with a key person; become a Patron Sponsor group.  Information has reached me that this idea has been successful in another Region.  The key here is to do it TOGETHER and the earlier the better.

 In going through some of my previous Arena issues, I came across the idea of recognition for the All Amateur Shows.  It seems they are not all that prolific across the country, but those in existence seem to be doing quite well, or they would not stay in existence.  Perhaps a place in the AHA Magazine spotlighting a successful all amateur show with comments on how and why they are successful.  It might go a long way toward encouraging more clubs to try it; they might like it.

 WITH THAT IN MIND, talk to me.  Tell me about dates, types of classes offered, and especially why you think it is successful.  I will rewrite as necessary, submit it to the Editor of the magazine, and see what can be done.  Take the time to do it.  There is nothing sweeter in this life than recognition for a job well done.

 Phoebe Burdg, Editor

PO Box 3295, Paradise, CA 95967

feebeeb@comcast.net    (Please note the change of e-mail address.)