FORT WORTH—More than 185 members of the American Paint Horse Association converged on Grapevine, Texas, May 30–June 1 to tackle issues and proposals affecting the organization as part of the 2013 APHA Workshop. Executive Director Billy Smith challenged members and association leaders to think broadly about ways for the association to attract more enthusiasts to the Paint Horse breed.
“We need to think hard about how to make our tent as big as we can make it and as welcoming as we can make it,” Smith said. “To the uninitiated, APHA is a breath of fresh air, but in many cases, it’s a well-kept secret, so we’ve got to get the message out.
“The horse world is different today—there is a new normal, and we will not go back to where we were. But with the right approach, I think we can end up at a better destination, one in which we open up a whole new vista for horse enthusiasts to appreciate what we have with the American Paint Horse.”
In his Executive Director’s Report on May 31, Smith outlined successes and remaining challenges affecting the association. APHA’s three-tiered strategy going forward focuses on increasing revenue, productivity and loyalty. Smith encouraged members, directors and staff to act like the world’s second-largest equine breed association, taking advantage new opportunities in the marketplace with thoughtful, first-class, imaginative efforts.
Hot Topics
Committees were asked to discuss several issues in addition to their regular agenda items, including the inclusion of green classes at the APHA World Show, Breeders’ Trust, the development of a participation licensing program, and World Show qualification for Youth exhibitors. Task forces were developed to further discuss the Breeders’ Trust program and participation licensing.
On Task
Smith announced the development of two additional task forces.
The Judging Rules and Improvement Task Force—a six-person panel comprised of APHA Director of Judges David Dellin, APHA Executive Committee member George Ready, Dave Denniston, Sandy Morgan, Don Manuello and Mark Kuhlwein—will evaluate current rules related to horse show judging and specific event standards and penalties. Twenty rule change proposals on the Workshop docket were referred to the task force—following a presentation of their decisions to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee in the fall, their recommendations will go into effect January 1, 2014.
A three-person task force—comprised of Executive Committee members Mary Parrott and Craig Wood, and Mike Short—was appointed to propose a new governance structure for APHA. Their specific charge is to clarify roles and responsibilities and generate greater member involvement in the director selection process. Their recommendations will be presented at the 2014 APHA Convention and, if passed there, will go into effect January 1, 2015.
Rule Change Proposals
More than 70 rule change proposals were discussed during Workshop: 21 were defeated in committee, 21 were referred to the judges task force, and 30 were passed to the 2014 APHA Convention, where they will be voted on by the APHA Board of Directors. Visit the APHA website for a complete list of rules that will be voted on at the 2014 Convention.
Four emergency rule changes were brought in front of the board on June 1. These included:
Overturning the Executive Committee’s decision to require a $100 fee every other year for all nominated Breeders’ Trust horses age 6 and older, in order for the horse to remain eligible for Breeders’ Trust payouts during that period. This was approved by the Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Approving the inclusion of four green classes—Western pleasure, hunter under saddle, trail and Western riding—at the APHA World Championship show, beginning with the 2013 World Show with qualification waived for the inaugural event. This was approved by the Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Revising two rule change proposals that would permit the use of leased horses in Amateur and Youth events. The original rule change proposals were written only for Zones 12, 13 and 14 (international zones); both the Amateur and Youth committees requested making these proposals applicable to all zones. Their requests were approved by the Board of Directors and will be voted on at the 2014 Convention.
Proposing the suspension of qualification requirements for Youth exhibitors in the 2013 and 2014 AjPHA Youth world Championship Show—the Executive Committee declined the motion.
APHA Cares
During the APHA Workshop social on May 31, the caring nature of the APHA family was brought to light. On May 20, Katherine and Edwin Sain of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, lost much of their belongings in the devastating F5 tornado that ravaged the area. In a show of support, a number of clubs and members—including APHA, the Oklahoma Paint Horse Club, Texas Paint Horse Club youth and the Zone 4 Coordinating Committee—rallied to help the Sain family in their time of need. Workshop attendees watched as a tearful Kathy accepted donated supplies and checks from Billy and the Texas Paint Horse Club youth.
Outstanding Award-Winners
The inaugural winners of the Farnam Breeders’ Trust Youth Scholarship Program were announced on June 1: Anne-Marie Fortenberry of Farmerville, Louisiana, and Tiffany Payne of Cedar Falls, Iowa. The recipients also selected the Louisiana Paint Horse Club and Iowa Paint Horse Club to each receive a $500 grant for youth outreach.
Eight grants were presented to regional clubs going above and beyond to make their APHA-approved shows a success. Recipients of the Regional Club Sponsorship Award include the Alberta Paint Horse Club, Mid-South Paint Horse Club, North Georgia Paint Horse Club, Northern California Paint Horse Club, Oklahoma Paint Horse Club, Paint Horse Club Czech Republic, Paint Horse Club Italia and Texas Paint Horse Club.
Executive Committee Candidate
Mike Short of Edmond, Oklahoma, was named by the Officer and Executive Committee Nominating Committee as their recommendation to join the association’s top leaders in February 2014. With more than 25 years of experience in APHA as a judge, trainer, breeder and promoter, Mike will bring a valuable mix of leadership, horse sense and business savvy to the Executive Committee. His appointment will be voted on by the Board of Directors during the 2014 APHA Convention.
