Some Facts about the Updated Breeder's Sweepstakes Program
Why did the Sweepstakes Commission think there was a change needed?
Input from members, and particularly participating members, indicated they felt the program had become stagnant and needed change to make it both a more compelling and more inclusive program for all its participants. In addition, the Sweepstakes Trust charges that a fiscal base be maintained and to comply with that mandate change was imperative.
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What were the guiding principles used to restructure the program?
The new vision for the future of Sweepstakes includes a more direct return for participating breeders who are the funding basis of the program. This is accomplished through the new Breeders Incentive that pays back to the nominating breeder 15% of all prize money earned in Sweepstakes events throughout the lifetime of the Breeding Entry. In addition, a plan was needed that would compel interest and participation in the program for breeders and exhibitors, generate excitement and spectator interest, and therefore promote and increase Arabian breeding.
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What are the highlights of the updated Breeder's Sweepstakes Program?
- Never before have participants been able to win prizes by participation at the Class A, B & C levels and at other local AHA recognized events. These new opportunities for exhibitors at competition levels other than Regional and National are a hallmark of the updated program. Prizes will be awarded in each of the 18 Regions and, in addition, there is a new $100,000 National award to be shared among the Top Ten competitors at these events.
- The new Breeders Incentive Program provides prize money payout to the nominator of the Breeding Entry, awarding15% of all monies earned in Sweepstakes events throughout the life time of the Breeding Entry.
- Four ATH Yearling Sweepstakes classes are newly funded at the Regional level.
- Fourteen $100,000 classes at National shows, consisting of ten Junior Performance classes and four Yearling Halter classes provide new excitement for the program and substantial returns for participants and breeders.
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What was the rationale behind the choice of the National classes?
Junior Performance horses and Yearling Halter horses at the National level are rewarded based on a desire to encourage and increase breeding, registration and marketability and to reward those breeders who continue to produce the future of the breed. Classes were selected that would have the greatest impact and influence in accomplishing this goal.
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What was the rationale behind the choice of the Regional classes?
It was determined that the emphasis at the Regional level should be on the amateur owner participant. The decision was reached to fund all the classes for amateur owners that had been funded previously. Additionally, amateurs now have the opportunity for rewards in four newly funded Yearling Sweepstakes classes.
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Why was the decision made to pay the Sport Horse Jr. Horse classes?
Our membership has indicated that many breeders are breeding horses specifically for the Sport Horse venue. We wish to encourage future nomination into the Sweepstakes program by these breeders.
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Why is there no longer a purebred gelding incentive?
It was determined that funding resources could be distributed in a more effective way to promote participation at all levels of AHA competition.
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Why were the Junior Mare and Junior Stallion classes at the U.S. Nationals not chosen for payback?
In order to increase breeding and improve marketability it is best to reward horses at the youngest possible age and, therefore the Yearling Halter classes rather than the Junior Halter classes were selected for Sweepstakes payout.
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What is the justification for the increase in the Original Entry fees?
The price increase was designed to encourage breeding entries and to discourage the late nomination of already proven show horses. Because this is a new dynamic program the current entry amnesty program was expanded to include additional categories at even greater reduced fees for the weanling and yearling. This amnesty will continue until December 31st 2005.
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When and under what circumstances will additional classes or events be considered for payback in this updated program?
The updated Sweepstakes program is designed to stimulate increased participation. As participation grows the resulting improvement in the financial position of the Trust Fund will enable the program to expand and provide additional opportunities for the participants.
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