New Update:
The idea proposed a few days ago at the APHA Convention to add a Amateur Walk-Trot division was defeated 47 to 41. However, on Saturday, APHA took quick action and approved the green classes and the adult walk trot division after the rules were rewritten. Since Amateur Walk-Trot has now passed, you will be required to hold a “Walk-Trot” Amateur card. This is in attempt to allow the elderly or disabled individuals to show at APHA events. Unlike youth walk-trot the Amateurs will receive awards. The convention is still going on, so we will update you on more news and rules that have passed as they become available.-
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One of the biggest decisions that was announced during the General Membership meeting held on Thursday at the Radisson was that the Youth APHA competitors will have their own World Show in July separate from the Amateur and Open World Shows. All the Amateur and Open Roping Events, reining, and speed events are moving to the Fall World Show in 2011.
“The Executive committee decided that the Youth needed a separate show,” says outgoing APHA president Linda Vance. “They deserved a show that was all about them, and we wanted to make it more fun and have more attention placed on our youth association and exhibitors.”
Also, congratulations goes to Susie Shaw from Tennessee who was elected the 6th member of the Executive Committee. The recommendation to hold green classes at APHA shows did not pass due to many individuals wanting the rules to be clearer. The rules will be sent back to the committee for a rewrite. The idea proposed to add a Amateur Walk-Trot division was defeated 47 to 41. However, on Saturday, APHA took quick action and approved the green classes and the adult walk trot division after the rules were rewritten. Since Amateur Walk-Trot has now passed, you will be required to hold a “Walk-Trot” Amateur card. This is in attempt to allow the elderly or disabled individuals to show at APHA events. Unlike youth walk-trot the Amateurs will receive awards. The convention is still going on, so we will update you on more news and rules that have passed as they become available.
Our senior writer and associate editor Laura Gilmer, who is from Nashville, was able to attend the convention on Thursday. She had the opportunity to interview the outgoing president, Linda Vance of Washington State, and incoming president, Dr. Travis Titlow, who resides in Lincoln, California. We were able to ask both presidents about the current state of APHA, what Vance’s experience was like running APHA during these difficult economic times, and we also asked the new APHA President, Dr. Travis Titlow, what his plans are during his tenure as president.
Outgoing APHA president Linda Vance said that her experience as President was challenging but fun at the same time. “It was a lot of hard work and a huge commitment, especially during these difficult economic times, but APHA is healthy financially and when the equine market comes back around, we will be in a great position.”
Vance says that APHA is founded on good sportsmanship and family values. “It is a great place to have your children involved because we have good morals and standards. We also try to focus on fun,” Vance said. “During my tenure as president, I am most proud of bringing in a new attitude about ourselves as a association. We have the greatest breed in the world. As the economy struggles, people will probably only be able to afford one horse, not several. The Paint horse is largely known as still an all-around horse that is capable of doing several events—not like several breeds that have become more specialized. So, I believe that will be to our advantage in this struggling economy.”
Vance admits that the economy has taken the “wind out of their sails” as far as being able to continue on the amazing growth APHA has has up until the last few years. There has been a huge learning curve to figure out the best way to run the organization with such a sudden and drastic meltdown of the economy. Over the past 4 to 5 years, the association has cut costs by cutting some programs and staff from 122 to 82 people at the headquarters located in Fort Worth, Texas. APHA is also the leader in learning to cut costs by becoming one of the more tech savy associations with the revamping of their website, the ability to register foals on-line, and the new international and regional club websites to reach out and provide information and educational tools for the regional clubs.
Vance encourages people who love the Paints to become more involved in the association, to not be afraid of asking questions, to maintain a good attitude, and to not be sore losers. Vance best advice is to, “Prepare to be first, but never expect to attain it.”
The new APHA President, Dr. Travis Titlow, is a dentist that got involved with horses through his wife, Lynn of 32 years. They met at the University of Nevada, Reno and they eventually had two children–a daughter Marissa Harned who showed Paints, and a son, Ross who is 24 years-old. Both of his children are Civil Engineers in Reno, Nevada. His wife has been a APHA National Director for California for 19 years while Travis has been a director for 17 years.
Titlow says his main goal this year is to bring back more fun to the organization. “Everyone was so excited in the 80s about the organization. Everyone helped everyone else out. I think the competition has become too serious. The money classes has helped out the industry, but at the same time, I think competition and winning has become too important. We have lost sight where we came from, and I look forward to trying to help place the emphasis back on having fun rather than having to win to be successful.”
Titlow also looks forward to dealing with several issues within the industry like the problems of genetic disorders within the breed such as HYPP and Herda. Also, he and his staff will be trying to develop other streams of income for APHA. “APHA is healthy and viable, and our presence is not going to go away. We are in good shape financially. We don’t have any debt or owe any people money. We also have a year’s expenses in reserve. We are alive and vibrant, and I look forward to helping the association become a stronger player within the equine industry.”
President Snapshot Photos courtesy of Jessica Hein, APHA
