AHYA President's Corner

2008 Convention AHYA President's Report to General Assembly

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I am pleased to join you as a representative of the Arabian Horse Youth Association.

Considering my family ties to this organization, most would be shocked to hear that I wanted nothing to do with horses until I was about thirteen years old. It has been said that I rode horses while I was still in the womb. This is true. It was also said that I grew out of it. This is also true. Some might say that I have outgrown Arabians that my feet would drag on the ground if I were to sit on top of one. To that I say: "good thing I only show halter!"

I fell in love with the Arabian horse, just like everyone else in this room has, and I wanted that amazing creature to be involved in my life, just like everyone here. Although we all may have walked a different path, to get to the Arabian horse, our paths have converged here. Today, we come together to ensure that others have the opportunity to walk their path, and fall in love with our horse, just like we did.

My path has been winding, I've lived in four different states across the country, attended seven schools, and only one thing has remained constant for me, the Arabian horse. I hope my path never strays from that.

With the future of our paths in mind, I want to address the success of July's Youth convention, AHYA's financial status and lastly, some of my goals for my presidency.

This year, the youth association's path has been straight and unwavering, as could be proven by our productivity, the outstanding work of the regional youth directors, and my predecessors on the executive board. This year, the AHYA convention was a runaway success. The goals that the Board had set for attendance and Regional representation were blown away, attaining the highest delegate count that we have seen in years with 128 registered delegates reporting from 16 regions.

Our keynote speakers, Gordon Potts and gene Holloway were both kind enough to Offer their guidance and inspiring words. We were honored to have the opportunity to hear them speak. Both reminded us of the path that the Arabian horse association has followed from the days of Lasma, to the first youth nationals, and finally to Albuquerque 2009. Their experience in this association and their contributions to the breed made it easy for many of those assembled to relate and take what they had to say and apply it to their own lives. Gene touched on past experiences in Oklahoma City, at the first Youth Nationals. He remembered the excitement of the kids, the volunteers and even the professionals. He reminded us that no matter where we came from or how we did, that we were at a special event, and that even having the opportunity to go was what made you a winner.

Gordon spoke of "life in a bubble," in that, outside of our shows, there's a whole world out there, going on around us, with people often stuck doing something they hate. He touched on his luck, as well as our own, in that we were involved with something amazing - The Arabian Horse!

Youth Convention closed with a resolution on the floor by the Equitation and Showmanship Committee, regarding the Arabian exclusion of test 16 in the USEF handbook. Test 16 refers to the option of exchanging mounts in Saddle Seat Equitation. The resolution, which was to remove the Arabian exclusion, was passed by the Youth Convention Delegates. It was the first time in several years a resolution was passed by AHYA and sent forward to this convention, for your consideration.

As I was sitting in the airport on my way here, I received a text message from our Vice President, Katie Pelphrey, letting me know that it had passed! I was ecstatic; words can not even express the feeling.

Regardless of the decision of this Convention's delegates, the Youth Association is making its voice heard by its adult counterpart, making it's self relevant within today's AHA.

Despite the success of convention, AHYA has experienced economic stresses like everyone else. We have been fortunate enough to have the help of the AHA Marketing Department to help fundraise for the youth, as every new corporate partner contract written has a section for a contribution to Youth Programs - also known as the AHYA. AHYA depends on corporate contributions, along with donations from farms, small businesses and regional support. Through the efforts of these generous people and organizations, AHYA has been able to continue to provide some of its most important programs, like the AHYA Annual Convention, Arabian horse youth judging contest and regional youth team tournament. Today's youth have a healthy appetite for growth and are eager to implement ideas. Unfortunately, a lack of funds keeps us from doing so.

AHYA runs on a zero-balanced budget. At the beginning of the financial year, we begin with a balance of zero. This means that any money AHYA spends on activities, Youth Programs, or leadership development has to be raised. In today's economic times, raising money has been quite difficult. It is only with your continued support that AHYA will be able to run at its full potential, providing things like the AHYA Annual Convention, a valuable scholarship program for our Youth of the Year, as well as leadership opportunities.

This year, our youth association took a huge hit in its fundraising efforts, with the loss of the Annual horse trailer raffle and the inability to secure a replacement for this missing item in our budget. What was assumed as an eight thousand dollar Revenue item was wiped from our budget. Now with our final fundraiser of 2009, the youth silent auction, which comes to a close later this evening, it is our hope that we can recoup that loss in revenue

If at all possible, AHYA asks regions, clubs and delegates to join those corporate partners, farms and individuals who have made it possible for thousands of youth to participate in a program that will help shape their future and lead them down a path that will always include the Arabian horse.

Before you offer your support, let me lastly tell you what I hope for and expect during my tenure as president.

I have two things in mind. first, we have to get our youth members to renew their membership every year! This is going to take everyone's effort, nationally, regionally and locally. We have to continue to make AHA appealing to our youth in the association by expanding Youth Activities, and enhancing or refreshing our existing programs, Even beyond Youth Nationals. Most importantly, we need to bring in new members. Implementing more programs like T.A.I.L, which encourages youth interaction with Arabians, building relationships with grassroots programs like the girl & Boy Scouts of America, 4-H and FFA. We need to encourage these groups to visit a Discovery Farm or implement a Leg Up Program to their kids. Doing so will hopefully make those amazing young individuals who have stood before me proud.

This leads to my second goal, as I wish to create opportunities for the Yout of AHYA to shine. I want to see every region represented on the AHYA Youth Board. I want more kids from every region to stand up and make their voices heard, whether it's challenging the rules govern us, or helping us all learn to be better to our horses, through the lessons that they can teach all of us. All around the country, and even the world, society has turned to its youth for leadership. Our youth association and youth programs have been used as a model by organizations such as the United States Equestrian Federations to create synergy within the equestrian youth world. Within that world is so much untapped potential, I wonder if we will ever be able to accommodate it. In only three months as AHYA President, I have encounters several bright and eager personalities, overflowing with ideas and that same potential.

Although I wish I had more time to discuss more ideas and potential of our youth members, I need to wrap up. I'd like to end today by thanking you for listening about our successes at convention, our financial status and my personal goals. I'll end at my family's beginning.

My great grandparents immersed themselves in the Arabian horse more than fifty years ago. They passed the love of their horses on through our family, and nearly everyone I am related to has had experience with the Arabian horse. I hope that my children will be able to enjoy this horse and this association. Today I hope you take the time to look toward tomorrow and support those who will carry the Arabian horse into a sound future. Every decision you make will eventually have an effect on every youth and future adult, even those who have not been born. Keep the horse in mind, keep the youth's future in mind and together, our Paths will be the future of this organization.

Thank You!

~ Austin Garrett
AHYA President

AHYA Past President's