AHYA President's Corner

2007 Convention
AHYA President's Report to General Assembly
Delivered November 17, 2007

Good morning and thank you for the privilege of speaking at the 2007 Convention on behalf of AHA youth. I don't know what is more unbelievable: the fact that a 17 year old from Peoria, IL. is the president of AHYA, or the fact that as a preschooler, I had no interest in horses. Unlike many young girls who had horse pictures plastered to their bedroom walls, I decked out my room in Green Bay Packer posters and sported the Green Bay apparel. I lived for watching Monday night football with My dad, while my mom visited her Arabian endurance horse. I was always invited to go to the barn with my mom, but I could not comprehend how someone would miss a football game to ride a four legged animal around in circles. Yet, somehow, miraculously, my Green Bay Cheese head was replaced with a riding helmet and my dream of meeting Brett Farve, the Green Bay Packer quarterback, was replaced with winning a national championship.

The AHYA program has skyrocketed over the past decade With programs such as the Arabian Horse Judging Contest, the Youth of the Year award, the Amateur Achievement Awards, and Regional Youth Team tournament. Each youth, regardless of financial status, is able to participate in the Arabian world. Today with our two biggest youth events being held at the same time, AHYA Convention and youth nationals, it is easier than ever for kids to participate in the Arabian industry.

This year the stars were out to shine for the 2007 AHYA Convention. Different from the 2006 Convention, this meeting was split into two days. The general session was held on Friday afternoon and Over one hundred delegates were present to elect a new executive board and listen to Liz Carlise, the keynote speaker. Although she did not know much about Arabians, horse shows, or AHYA, Liz quickly recognized the goals of the Youth National competitors. As a Harvard summa cum laude graduate and upcoming country star, Liz knows the amount of commitment it takes to achieve goals. The delegates were encouraged to reach for the stars through Liz's speech and concert featuring songs from her aptly titled album, "Big Dreams".

The fun and games continued Saturday morning with workshops, committee updates, open mike session, and icebreakers. Afterward, many regions began to decorate their golf carts for the Parade of Regions, which was held before the evening session on Sunday. The parade, like always, was a huge hit for the spectators and exhibitors.

A new, awesome addition to the Youth National show was the concert. Liz Carlise returned to center stage to perform for competitors, their families, and the general public. Then, Emerson Drive, a leading country band, hit the stage. The atmosphere of the crowd screamed fun. It was one of the most exciting events ever at Youth Nationals!

While it may seem AHYA is full of fun and games, which it is, it is also important to realize we also abide by the same four cornerstones that AHA does: Financial Stability, Breed Growth, Organizational Efficiency, and Communication. Communication is critical to keep the youth program afloat. The past few years, communication by email among the board members has improved, yet we feel it could be even sharper. For this reason, each youth director is now required to send a monthly report of what they have been doing in their region. also, Each person on the AHYA board received a revised manual, detailing the duties and responsibilities of a board member. However, these changes will not get youth involved with Arabians in and of themselves. We hope that they will be a catalyst for better communication between the adult board and the youth in each region.

The Youth Programs Coordinator is definitely to thank for the AHYA organizational efficiency. Angela Mannick enthusiastically took on this role in July. She has devoted great ideas and energy to the youth program. We as the youth board welcome Angela and appreciate all of her hard work the past few months. Nancy Harvey and Katie Reynolds played a big role in AHYA the past several years. While they will no longer be actively helping us, I want to personally thank them for their dedication to the Arabian breed and to each director on a personal level. I will never forget my late night chats with Katie mentoring me on the future, or my public humiliation with Nancy as we did the twist on a picnic table at the exhibitor party at Youth Nationals. These ladies are amazing.

As with many associations, the AHYA is concerned with finances. We do many fundraisers throughout the year to fund our programs. Our main fundraiser for many years has been the Sundowner trailer raffle. This years raffle, although great, fell short of our goals for 2007. The AHYA board decided this year to replace the Road Apple Rumble with the Flying Pigs fundraiser. The people went hog wild over this event! With two throws at Youth Nationals, we sold out of pigs in record time and had people begging for more. This new event is definitely a keeper. We are looking for a sponsor for the pigs next year, so the event will be pure profit for youth programs. And the last fundraiser each year is the silent auction held at this Convention. So, if you have not stopped by to bid on some of those amazing items, please do and help out our youth programs. Thank you!

Supporting current programs and adding new ones are very important to keep up with the interests of the youth. The AHYA board of directors works diligently year long to promote our breed to kids across North America. This is a difficult task, especially as we are kids ourselves. We restructured our committees during the October meeting proceeding U.S. Nationals. We added working western and sport horse committees. The board eliminated the 4H/FFA committee and felt that our Public Relations Committee would be a better fit for delegating the 4-H/FFA responsibilities. With the old and new committees and many new ideas, the board is eager to make some great changes within AHYA. Please support us in our quest to promote the Arabian breed. Ultimately, we are all one association and need to be united to survive. As youth, we represent ten percent of AHA. We are the future. it is important that the youth are heard and that the adult board makes positive changes to support the association of tomorrow. One day, we will be sitting in your seats as delegates. I love Arabian horses more than anything and want everyone to experience the great treasures with which we have been blessed.

As my great grandmother always warned me, horses are a sickness. I am infected and youth of the Arabian Horse Association are too. You, as delegates, and we, as youth, need to work with each other to promote this wonderful breed. The youth are the future, but you are the present. We need your guidance and support, and you need us to carry on your legacy and the Arabian breed. Thank you.

~ Kim Luebcke
AHYA President