July 06, 2008
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2004 AHA Annual Convention

Convention Highlights

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Convention and annual business meeting, held in Anchorage, Alaska, from November 16-20, brought almost 550 delegates and guests from across the United States and Canada together to make important decisions for the Association's future.

For the first time in AHA history, delegates could vote on self-nominated candidates for several Executive Committee positions. Officers elected were Myron Krause, president; Lance Walters, vice president; and Frank Galovic, treasurer. Rounding out the Executive Committee are the uncontested Secretary position held by Jan Decker and the two vice president at large positions held by Howard Pike and Bob Fauls. Bill Hughes will join the group as the Immediate Past President.

Landmark changes came about with Resolution 2B-04 which will streamline and simplify the membership process and encourage members to join throughout the year. Changes include the following:

Membership categories and fees:
Adult - $25
Youth - $20
Business - $55
Life - $1,000
Members who want to compete at AHA recognized events will need an additional Competition/Insurance card. If purchased through an affiliate club, the card is discounted to $20. If purchased directly it will be $50. Youth Competition/Insurance cards can be purchased for $10.
AHA Membership will be calculated on an anniversary date, which means if a member joins on June 15, 2006, that membership will be good through June 30, 2007, providing new members with a full 12 months of benefits
A late fee will be assessed for renewing members who do not join by the expiration date

Effective January 2006.

Following the Governance Committee mandate to look for efficiencies in managing the organization, Resolution 28-04 was approved. This combines the Ways and Means and Finance Committees into one that will perform the following: review and make recommendations on the budget, monitor policies and procedures for the management of the International Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes Trust and its investments, study and make recommendations regarding AHA investments overall, and review and recommend adjustments regarding fees.
Effective January 2005.

To keep costs within the budget for U.S. Nationals, the delegates voted to approve Resolution 24-04 which will provide for the testing of 400 horses that include a random split of 50 percent champions, 25 percent top tens and 25 percent cuts from elimination sections. This shift to a semi-random system will lower costs because USEF will not have to maintain as large a staff on site as dictated by the previous testing contract. "The 400 number is about six horses more than when all champions and one random top ten from each class were tested," says USEF Director Larry Hoffman. "It will result in a better all-around level of testing."
Effective January 2005

The delegates did not approve Resolution 23-04 regarding the use of Arabian judges for the Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat at Youth Nationals and will continue to use USEF judges carded in Hunter seat equitation. "It's the largest equitation division, and it deserves to be judged by those who are the most knowledgeable about this division." says professional trainer Chuck Mangan. "Equitation should be judged on the rider and their ability to communicate with the horse," he says. "It shouldn't make any difference what breed the horse is." Proponents say that it's fairer to have exhibitors judged by Arabian judges since those judges evaluate them throughout the show season leading up to the Youth Nationals.

Resolution 8-04 gives the Annual Convention Planning Committee the ability to submit a site for a non-hosted convention should no region be forthcoming with a proposal within two years prior to convention. The 2005 Annual Convention will be held in Fort Worth, Texas. The 2006 will be held in Louisville, KY.

The Board approved the use of points to determine qualifications, the biggest advantage being that points will be awarded for horses that place 1 through 6 at Class A shows where before only the first and second place counted toward a regional or national qualification. However, discussion ensued regarding the need to probably tweak some of the points during this first year to develop the right mathematical equation, and President Bill Hughes appointed a Points Monitoring Committee to review the system and make final recommendations to the Board of Directors at the August meeting.
Effective 2005

Multiple Market Development and Promotion (MDP) projects have been completed this year, and the delegates received a presentation by MDP Chair Cynthia Richardson and Senior Director of Marketing Steve Josephs as well as a DVD to take back to their clubs regarding the ambitious efforts put forth throughout 2004. DVD highlights touch on outreach programs such as the print advertising campaign and Equine Affair sponsorships to the myriad materials that have been developed for member use. Also included is the promotional film Arabians: The Best Kept Secret and the five minute Spotlight On: Arabian Horses, developed for PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) and aired by local affiliates whenever a station has programming availability. Delegates are encouraged to show the DVD at their club meetings and also host an Arabian Celebration during the 2005 year using the Arabian Horse Celebration Guide.

This award is an original Edwin Bogucki bronze sculpture and is given to an individual for outstanding contributions made to the Arabian breed, AHA and its members. The award is named in honor of AHA's first president and founding member, Earle E. Hurlbutt and is given at the discretion of the AHA President. This year's awards were presented to Cynthia Richardson, Market Development Committee Chair and member of the Registration Commission; Allan Ehrlick, member of the Canadian National Show Commission and former Region 18 Director; and outgoing Immediate Past President Bill Pennington.

In the AHA Club Excellence Awards Program, the Manitoba Arabian Horse Association won $500 for being named Club of the Year.