A sad, sad day at AMHA

[Charlotte]

WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN

Bob, can't never did anything, so lets quit saying that word.....can you just imagine if EVERY AMHA member on this forum got all their AMHA friends and backed, by letter, email and phone a proposal, to allow mail voting or email voting.....If pushed hard enough and long enough I believe it could be done.

And this is what we need! We have just a few people doing all the work and having to make all the decisions...........they aren't always good decisions, but I bet we could all help them on that, couldn't we?

Will someone please begin drafting a rule change relating to email/mail voting? Let's get this started!

Will it be easy? Will it be quick? Undoubtedly not, but to not keep trying and just keep griping sure isn't going to get it done.

Charlotte

 

[sfmini]

I am about to sound like a broken record here, but I will try one more time, one more year.

Every year I post this response, everybody goes away, then starts complaining again the following year.

If you want mail vote you must:

Find out what the objections are

Address each issue with a solution

Propose the rule changes to make it happen.

Nobody wants to do the work, they just want to complain. The only way you can effect change is to work for it.

Personally, (director or not) I rob Peter to pay Paul and go to the meetings. I can say that my mind has been changed on several issues after discussion because I have the opportunity to hear other's opinions on them.

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

You know I almost wish that if a horse wins a national or world title they would have to be measured in front of the whole audience. Like they do for the Kentucky derby and they have to weigh every part of the equipment. Have a pre-calebrated platform that is checked and rechecked for absolute balance, near where the photos are taken. Take the horse up there, measure, walk over and take the photos. I would like to see that. I know, I am goofy.

 

[user 488]

You are not goofy at all. Our National Champion and Reserve plus a random few in the Top Ten are escorted immediately to the drug testing stalls where they are tested. At that point their hoof length is measured and shoes get pulled and weighed. Ofcourse it takes some time for the drug tests to get back but if the hoof or shoe weight is illegal................they are DISQUALIFIED! END OF STORY.

Happens a number of times during the show. And there is no leniency......were are talking 1/10 ounces here. And many times it is not the fault of the trainer or owner. It's horrible when that happens but rules and rules and they don't budge.

Not a bad idea at all!

Edited to say........instead of the stewards overseeing this the judges could over see it. (no the judges would not do the actual measuring) Hey, they are right there. This would help the harrassment issues that have been brought to light here. There is so much you can do to make things work.

Carol

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

Thanks Carol! I have been thinking of that idea for a while. I know that it is something that I would be all for if I EVER won a grand champion or such!

I just think it would be great if it were included in the grandness of winning so that it seems like a natural thing to do. And if it were in front of the audience, it would cut down on people taking that chance of sneaking their horse in a smaller class.

 

[bob r]

You know I almost wish that if a horse wins a national or world title they would have to be measured in front of the whole audience. Like they do for the Kentucky derby and they have to weigh every part of the equipment. Have a pre-calebrated platform that is checked and rechecked for absolute balance, near where the photos are taken. Take the horse up there, measure, walk over and take the photos. I would like to see that. I know, I am goofy.

GREAT IDEAL!!!!

 

[nootka]

I think Kim's idea is perfectly fine. It does not take THAT long to measure, and my only hesitation would be how close would the "audience" be allowed to watch this procedure?

I can not tell from 100 ft. away, where the stick is, however, I think there would be quite a bit less "fudging" if those horses had to be measured.

The thing is, also, what happens after a horse has been named, say "Grand Champion Mare" and is found to be over by an inch?

Would the placings trickle down...i.e., the Reserve is now Grand, and the third place horse now Reserve? We have to think of these things before we can suggest them.

I personally think the enforced measuring of the top three horses should be mandatory as well as random measurements throughout the show if it were possible to find someone who is non-biased and could not be influenced within the industry (might be too hard to implement).

Likely we will have to pay more for our shows to enforce this, and it's sad that it is necessary, but better than complaining, we put our money and our efforts into our beliefs.

Liz M.

 

[user 488]

The thing is, also, what happens after a horse has been named, say "Grand Champion Mare" and is found to be over by an inch?

They get DQed just like at any other American Horse Show sanctioned shows. And yes the placing move up and a new 10th place is named. This is done in all other big breeds that I know of and if height is the biggest issue with all of you miniature horse people I suggest looking into how other breeds keep things in check.

And you do not have to do it in front of an audience. It can be done outside the gate. And it does not even have to be this idea. There are ways to enforce these rules. It would take me about 30 minutes to sit down with a group of people and come up with a viable solution. IT'S JUST NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

And yes Nootka, I agree, the easiest thing to do is enforce the rules that are already in place. But that just seems to me like it just doesn't work.

Don't think of all the reasons why things won't work. Look at what will work and again look into how other breeds enforce rules. Ofcourse they are not height rules, but rules are rules.

Believe me, if a few of these people got their prizes taken away things might change. And if people were suspended for harrassment that would change too.

And if you really want to know the truth, I could care less. I have no vested interest in showing Miniature horses at all and I feel like I can be totally unbiased with what I am saying. But again, year after year I hear the same "STUFF" from everyone when they return home from these shows. It's time to PUT UP OR SHUT UP. Get something done or quit beating a dead horse.

 

[Lauralee]

I think that people are already voting with their feet.....with the class numbers dipping low at AMHA shows, it is plain to see that some owners are dissatisfied, and marching away from AMHA shows. How low does the number have to go before the organization realizes this? Concerned members may not have the ability to vote by ballot, but they can vote with their feet and their pocketbooks when they have had enough. Its sad it had to come to this.

 

[runamuk]

I think the post measurement is a great idea...and would put a halt to so many 35.5 inchers competing and winning

I agree with Carol wholeheartedly and since my interest in miniatures is more for my enjoyment than for the "investment" or the glory....I also could care very little what happens ........AMHA is flailing it is essentially gasping in the throes of death.....something has to change or else it is time for the association to fade away.......not trying to be mean but as a person who purchased a lifetime membership thinking this was an organisation that I wanted to be a part of......lets just say I bought the pitch hook line and sinker........I figure the money I lose can be chalked up to a learning experience

 

[Cathy_H]

I just think it would be great if it were included in the grandness of winning so that it seems like a natural thing to do. And if it were in front of the audience, it would cut down on people taking that chance of sneaking their horse in a smaller class.

I agree - I also think this should be done at ALL AMHA SHOWS to keep exhibitors- trainers & measurers honest all the way to the end.......... Now who is going to do the legwork to get this voted on? If I recall correctly, something in the past was a good idea but it was not prepared correctly, worded right or something to that effect so could not be voted on.......... Wanted to add that it might be a good idea to have a different person measure the second time or else have one or two people closely observe.

 

[slaneyrose]

I`m so glad you had the courage to bring this up!! I live in Ireland and although am not affected by your heights at shows I actually bought a mare from the world show sale. I know when buying from another country you can be lied to by the seller but I thought at least that is one good thing about buying in the auction...the height would have to be accurate......wouldnt it??? Well it seems not!! Not only did the seller lie by claiming the mare was 32" tall but when she arrived she was suddenly 33.70!!! thankfully she is four so will not grow any taller and is a lovely mare BUT I feel very let down by AMHA as here in europe we measure at the withers so she is 34" here....I bought in good faith and feel cheated by both AMHA as well as the seller.......also very disappointing when you think you are dealing with a top class register.....It has put me right off buying from the states again. :no:

 

[Sunny]

I really am sorry you had such a disappointing experience with purchasing a horse from the U.S. I wish you wouldn't let "one bad apple" ruin it all for you.

However..... I have to wonder why you brought this subject up now, about three months later???

 

[slaneyrose]

I really am sorry you had such a disappointing experience with purchasing a horse from the U.S. I wish you wouldn't let "one bad apple" ruin it all for you.

However..... I have to wonder why you brought this subject up now, about three months later???

I brought it up now because of this thread!! I didnt realise till I read it that it was happening at shows too.

 

[mistyrose]

This topic was ended months ago. I don't know how it reappeared.

 

[littlearab]

I belive slaneyrose just added a reply to this posted subject.

I do know why they are upset by this.

It has long been a issue with me, just starting in minies and the papers always seem to have the horse aleast an inch or 2 under thier real hieght.

It does make not only AMHA but AMHR and all breeders look bad.

If all you have to do is say my horse is 30 inch and it's done then why even have a height requement?

I sorry you found out the hard way that in the world on miniatures one must carry thier own stick.