This is very interesting!
A quick perusal of the 2014 AMHA rule book shows that the BOD has acted contrary to the bylaws to enact this new "division"......
While there seem to be a number of forum members here EXCITED that their horses might be able to show in this new "division" there are also a number of forum members who feel that this new "division" would be just that, a division of AMHA. But either way it appears to be either white wash for a few with an agenda or just a poor attempt to sell an agenda under the guise of desperation to generate income in order to not have to "starts slicing off chunks of meat".
This is being brought to the attention of the membership by the same AMHA member who chaired the LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE but did no budget or fiscal planning in that capacity (even though he held the position of Treasurer also). The
Stock Horse Division is being sold to the membership as a way to make a flailing horse association viable again in the same way that President Obama is white washing his health care plan to the American public. BAIT and SWITCH.
AMHA makes the majority of it's income on membership and registration. NOT ON THE OFFICE FEES generated by entering horses in horse shows. Notice that they constantly cite numbers of horses at a horse show as some testament to the associations viability (many think these numbers are lies). While this may tell us a horse show was a success the truth is the income at a horse show is based on numbers of entries not numbers of horses as some performance horses enter as many as twenty classes and the class entries equate to the income and viability of the show.
Let's play Devil's advocate and say that in the 67 remaining AMHA shows this year there are 10 entries in each of the 6 classes (doubtful), there will be 4020 entries at an office fee paid to AMHA of $7.00 (not sure since it keeps changing). This would equate to $28,140.00. Now let's be realistic and cut this figure to 25% of that (very optomistic still) we get $7035.00. How is this going to keep AMHA from running "out of fat to cut, and starts slicing off chunks of meat"?
The "division" is being compared to the Performance Committee's plan to rewrite the Driving classes and add the Classic Division with utter disregard for the real Money Maker, the Stakes and Futurity. When the Stakes and Futurity were being run correctly they had the potential to creat a reason for members to breed and register more horses. The Classic Pleasure division just created more entries NOT MORE INCOME for AMHA (as can be evidenced by their current financial condition).
It would be advisable that the member (reading this post) go to the AMHA website and read the financials. While they are obscured by agenda one can still see the state of AMHA and where their Income comes from as well as where their greatest expense is (shows).
AMHA has not had a business plan, a Long Range Plan since McPherson was Executive Director, when there there was a plan to INCREASE Income. While it was not within the AMHA Bylaws it was a plan. Proactive instead of behind the Eight Ball as we have been ever since. Besides we haven't followed our bylaws since then anyways............
Read Franks email below and PAY ATTENTION to what he actually says.
[SIZE=14pt]Stock Type Division Background Information[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]By Chairman- Stock Type Division-Frank Lupton[/SIZE]
[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]
The majority of equine registries have come through the recession in financially worse shape than they were in a few years ago. We see this demonstrated in various ways from higher fees to less expensive awards at shows. The simple fact is that to keep the doors open, cuts have been made. At some point, an organization runs out of fat to cut, and starts slicing off chunks of meat. At this point there are only two choices. An organization can cut until it no longer exists, or it can find new sources of revenue. Within the AMHA, we have chosen to be proactive in our efforts to position our organization for future growth and viability.
Not so many years ago, the members of our Performance Committee and our Board of Directors realized that, even with the single pleasure and country pleasure driving divisions, we were leaving out the biggest segment of members interested in driving.
As a result of the committee's efforts, effective January 1, 2010, Classic Pleasure Driving became a reality and instantly boosted participation at shows. If you look at pages 109 and 110 of the 2014 rule book, you will note that approximately one and one half pages are devoted to providing the necessary information so both participants and judges can understand the division requirements. Similar space is given to the country and single pleasure divisions. In each case there is a sketch of how the horse should look along with word descriptions of how it should move and where its weight should be borne. Classic pleasure driving has been a boon to local, regional and even the World Show in terms of participation and income generation. In short, it was a very good idea.
If we are lucky, and or smart, in life, we pay attention when something does well and try to learn from it. Realizing the AMHA was approaching a point where budget cuts were going to be ever more painful for the membership, a presentation was made to the Finance Committee about a new halter division for shows. Pretty much the same set of facts held true for halter as were in place for driving. We were leaving out a huge segment of our horses. A simple check of historical data showed that most of our performance horses did not show in halter. Well, that's not a surprise; they are bred and built to do something different than those horses solely bred for halter. If their only choice was to be judged against our standard of perfection, they would choose to pass up showing in halter. This is exactly the same situation that existed in driving before classic was introduced. If the classic type horses' only choice was to be judged against the single or country pleasure standards, they would not participate. Simply put, classic horses are a type of their own and until we as an association recognized that, we, and they, were missing out.
The idea of a Stock Type division as a proposal was passed by the Finance Committee and then it went to the Board of Directors. It was passed by the Board and went to the membership. It was passed by the membership and a committee was formed to supply the necessary information for shows, exhibitors and judges to use with a new division. Part of this information is a Standard of Conformation and Movement for the Stock Type Division. This is a simple document that tells exhibitors and judges what to look for in the class. It is not a standard of perfection for a breed. Do not confuse the two. The AMHA's standard of perfection is still the only standard of perfection in use by the organization and the Stock Type Division will not change that. When the Stock Type committee finished working on the written standard, the drawing, and the other parameters of the division, the material was again presented to the Board and again passed without dissent. The plan is to have everything ready for the membership to vote on at the next annual meeting. At that point, if it so chooses, the Board can pass a standing rule to make the classes rated and pointed for the 2015 year.
The Stock Type Division is a chance for the AMHA to take a significant leap forward in terms of the future. This division will help local shows draw more participants, just as it will help the shows AMHA puts on. By getting more people involved in showing, the market for Miniature horses will, over time, stabilize and become stronger.
Given the benefits of this opportunity, I urge all who are able to try showing some Stock Types this year and by all means bring them to 2014 World. This is a chance to be part of something new and exciting. Together, let's begin building this new avenue to promote and advance the AMHA.
