As the AQHA Executive Committee prepares for a week of meetings, one of
the hot topics of discussion is the recent decision to discontinue the
Regional Representative program. (Click here to see the April 2nd AQHA press release).
Joan Schroeder of Schroeder Ranch in
Gainesville, TX, an active member of the AQHA Professional Horsemen
Committee since 1995, is speaking out about her feelings regarding the
issue. The attached letter was sent to the Executive Committee and
Executive Secretary in regard to their decision to discontinue the
Regional Representatives and their duties as of April 30, 2009. Please
take a moment to read Joan’s letter and let us know what you think
about the subject by posting a comment at the end of this article. (NOTE: You must be a registered reader to post comments)
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April 10, 2009
Dear AQHA,
I am writing to you and the Executive Committee to express my sincere disappointment in your decision to discontinue the AQHA Regional Services Program. I have to question how much thought and research was given to your resolution of trimming costs and if the Executive Committee and staff have thoroughly considered the responsibilities that are handled by your Regional Representatives.
Upon hearing of the decision last week of AQHA, I went through a range of emotions that I felt I had better sit with before writing. Robbie and I have both shown Quarter Horses since we were teenagers; I believe we have worked our way into being considered respected horsemen, breeders and business people. We accomplished these goals with hard work, honesty, integrity, good horses and the aid of AQHA and four of your five Regional Representatives who include Clark Parker, Billy Steele, Larry Myerscough and Tim Beesley.
Robbie has won numerous AQHA Year End High Point and World Champion titles since the mid 80’s which required him to attend plenty of Quarter Horse shows. We both feel strongly that the presence of a Regional Representative at major Quarter Horse circuits and World Shows is vital for a number of reasons.
1. Your current Reps are well-respected and needed by AQHA Judges, exhibitors and horse show secretaries.
2. Your current Reps have spent a lifetime in the AQHA industry as respected horsemen and AQHA Judges.
3. Your current Reps aid in teaching AQHA Rules and Guidelines to exhibitors and show secretaries.
4. Your current Reps know the AQHA Rulebook; they demand and enforce AQHA Rules.
5. Your current Reps provide superior supervision at all attended events.
6. Your current Reps receive respect from all that they come in contact with.
7. Your current Reps give impartial and non-biased representation; they are always true and correct.
8. Your current Reps perform numerous duties at events such as overseeing safety for horse and rider and they are instrumental in preventing exhibitors from showing in illegal equipment.
9. Your current Reps aid in the important link of associating the exhibitors to AQHA.
10. Your current Reps have dedicated their life to the American Quarter Horse and its Association.
11. Your current Reps inspire and have ideas submitted to them while they are in the field to be reiterated to AQHA Headquarters.
12. Your current Reps are vitally important at all of the AQHA World Shows.
As I stated earlier, Robbie and I have shown in the Quarter Horse industry for a very long time. Our son, Ryan, is following in our footsteps. We have been breeding high quality Quarter Horses since the late 80’s with the intent of them becoming valuable show horses. My point is that I hope AQHA still believes in the importance of horse shows and competition. I hope you see the dollars that are invested in AQHA by our community…the breeders, trainers and exhibitors of the American Quarter Horse. I hope you see the National Sponsors that we attract and the people that come to the horse shows throughout the year, especially the AQHA World Show to buy products because they want their horse to look, act and wear equipment like those that are winning those beautiful gold trophies.
I personally maintain the operational expenses and the payroll of Schroeder Ranch; I understand the necessity of trimming corners wherever it is necessary. In fact we spend several thousand dollars a year with AQHA in advertising, donations, registrations and miscellaneous fees; I know the importance of balancing a budget. I also know the importance of quality employees and what they bring to our business. I pray AQHA and the Executive Committee re-examine their decision to discontinue the Regional Services program and more importantly, the loyal Regional Representatives.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Joan Schroeder
Schroeder Ranch, Inc.
