AMHR Overseas Committee

[LaVern]

AMHR Overseas. I am so happy to hear that there has been a new committee formed to support and promote the AMHR Miniature Horse to the whole world. And I agree that there is a misconception that AMHR means only horses that are over 34 inches. It simply is not true.

Although I love the taller horses most of the AMHR horses that are shown are under 34 inches.

Some, from overseas have expressed that they don’t have a market for AMHR horses. Well ,15-20 years ago we did not either. It took a lot of very hard working people, who gave of their own, to developed a market. The time and the money and the promotion does not come from the office or from the government. The AMHR has always been a grass roots organization. It took many of us years of sponsoring classes and shows. Volunteering and digging deep into our pocketbooks. Work- Work- Work.

We formed clubs and advertised and put on huge shows. With huge trophies and advertised the winners in the Journal.

We drew in AMHA people because of that recognition.

However, you were usually snubbed by AMHA horse breeders after you had beaten them in the AMHR shows that they participated in. (I just had to throw that in)

Let’s take Canada; it was not so many years ago that AMHR was almost a dirty word up there. Then along came a few, that started taking in some shows down here. But it was so hard for them to travel back and forth to get points, to be at least recognized with All Star Placing. And lets face it recognitions is what we all like, after all the hard work.

So what did these few do? They approached the Registry and asked if there could be a Canadian All Star Program. And low and behold it came to pass. And so now the AMHR horse is coming on strong in Canada. And Canada is one big Country.

And so my point is, the beauty of AMHR is that if enough people want something, and it is somewhat reasonable, it usually can happen.

 

[Belinda]

Renee you are so right on all that you said

As Renee said it takes time and Dedication from a few hard working totally committed people and then before long more and more will jump on the wagon..

 

[MountainMeadows]

Again, Yeah for the AMHR International committe & the new ICAMHA club in Europe formed to support the AMHR registered horses. I think you will find that the AMHR horses, both UNDER and OVER will attract a lot of attention - the Over division horses here in the USA are in high demand right now with the huge onset of performance - pretty darn hard to get that kind of exciting action in an Under 34" SAFELY. We have seen many of the over division horses sell for well over $25,000 US dollars - so the comments that the AMHR horses (especially the over 34" ones) don't sell for as much is getting swept under the carpet.

It is true, that in the past 10-15 years the AMHR horses have made HUGE strides in bettering the conformation and performance of those animals - what I find of particular interest is the number of trainers who have historically been AMHA only trainers are now putting together their AMHR Under & Over show strings - they are very, very competitive and the quality is skyrocketing -- I recall not too many years ago a very,very well-known trainer telling me that the only reason that people would show AMHR was because they couldn't cut it on the AMHA circuit -- that very same trainer came to AMHR Nationals this year with a show string - both Under and Over - and I don't think he felt that it was a walk in the park to compete!

So, kudos to all of the Europeans who are willing to take on this challenge and support our breed and both AMHA and AMHR registries - I can't wait to see how things evolve.

Stacy

 

[Whistle Mountain Miniatures]

Thank you all so much for your reactions!

We will do whatever we can to make this a succes, the AMHR needs it here in Europe!

But as long as the people here are not buying AMHR horses there won't be many horses on a show, so the shows won't be big, but we have to start somewhere.. We hope that they will subscribe the double registered horses to get a bigger number of horses to participate.. I for myslef have a few only AMHR registered horses that I sure am going to show, atleast the offspring since the mares are in foal..

It's a start... We do our best and hope that people will start to love those AMHR horses!

 

[Jill]

This is a very exciting thread

 

[kaykay]

I couldnt agree more Lavern!

We all need to support this committee and back them up. Its going to take some very aggressive marketing to get the word out on how awesome the AMHR horses are. Its going to take a lot of people committed to seeing this through and supporting it financially. But in the end its a win win for everyone.

 

[MountainMeadows]

Sonja,

As I mentioned on my other post on the other thread, it is my strong belief that even tho the majority of the horses purchased for overseas were AMHA and Under 34", that there WILL BE a certain number of those foals who exceed 34" - it is going to happen. That is where your forward thinking about having a venue to support both the Under and the Over 34" horses is going to be welcomed with open arms. Right now, many of the breeders who have imported probably believe that "it won't happen to me" - but it will, and in order for those people to still feel like they have a quality horse, there needs to be a place for them - all along AMHR has been there - and will be there, to support.

Again, AMHR is not just for Over 34" horses, there is a huge contingent of Under 34 also showing both locally as well as Nationally - I think you will find that once the shows are offered, if you can keep it fun, keep it INFORMATIVE (as in giving clinics during the AMHR shows so that people can learn about all kinds of stuff from grooming to breeding to foaling), maybe try to have a dinner together so that all can socialize, offering neat prizes is great, some people really enjoy getting "loot", but others are showing for the fun and the experience and catering to those needs is just as important as winning "loot" or points or ribbons.

I would also suggest that if you haven't already explored this with both registries that you look into the possiblity of having a "European National Show" or perhaps a "Specialty Show" where the entries either had to have a number of points or else attend a certain number of shows to be able to attend -- once European National titles are starting to be won, then you will see another jump in both the number of horses as well as the quality (forgive me if this is something that is already happening, I am not as up to speed as I should be on what is happening on the European show circuit).

Again, good luck - come to AMHR Nationals this year and take a look at the quality that is in the ring, the size of the classes, etc, it is a lot of fun and I am sure you would be embraced with open arms.

Good Luck Sonja - better get a new pair of running shoes - you are going to be busy!

Stacy