1. Concurrent Sweepstakes designated classes will be treated as two different shows (for recording purposes) and Sweepstakes Points will be awarded per each judge.
2. Any Nominated Sire that is entered into the Breeders Sweepstakes Program after December 31, 2009 will no longer be eligible for the 5 percent Sire Payback. Sires already enrolled as a Nominated Sire will be grandfathered in and will continue to receive the 5 percent Sire Payback.
3. Allocated prize money will be added to the U.S. National Championship Endurance Ride and the US National Championship Competitive Trail Ride.
4. The Sport Horse Show Commission has split the Dressage Level II AT class into a Purebred and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian classes. Therefore, both the Arabian and the Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Dressage Level II AT (Test 4) will be paid within the allocated program at the Regional and National Levels.
5. All points for Local Competitive Trail and Endurance Rides will be paid based on the number of registered Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian horses on the ride and will no longer be based on the total of horses on the ride, regardless of the breed. The results will be recorded in an Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian Division within the ride.

Just go to ArabianHorses.org and click the member log-in link in the upper left-hand corner. Enter your AHA number and PIN number. When you come to the "welcome back" page, hold your mouse over the "members info" button on the left-hand navigation bar and choose the "committee signup" option. Scroll through the list of committees near the bottom of the page and click the 2009 option for the committee of your choice.

It is almost time to pay out sweepstakes money for 2008. Verify your points to make sure our records match yours. Log on to ArabianHorses.org with your member and PIN numbers. If you find any results or points discrepancies, contact AHA by the end of December at 303-696-4500 or info.comp@arabianhorses.org.

The entry deadline to enroll your 2009 foal as a Breeding Entry or in the U.S. and Canadian Halter Futurity Program is December 31, 2008.

Halter Futurity Renominations need to be postmarked/electronic transaction dated by December 31, 2008 in order to avoid late fees.

We are getting close to year-end and that means determining the Horse Achievement Award and the brand new split-out Youth and Adult Amateur Achievement Award High Point Winners. AHA wants to make sure that participants get all the points they've earned, so please check your Horse and Rider Competition Records to verify 2008 point totals. Just log on ArabianHorses.org with your member and PIN numbers. If you find any results or points discrepancies, contact AHA by the end of December at 303-696-4500 or info.comp@arabianhorses.org.

Please note: Only horses and amateurs initially enrolled or renewed in the Horse and Amateur Achievement Awards for 2008 are eligible for the High Point Awards. Points that were bought back retroactively for 2008 will not be included.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Western Seat Equitation JTR Class (code 932) can fulfill the corresponding equitation requirement for both the Reining Seat Medal and Western Horsemanship Medal classes. All requirements remain the same for the other three medal classes. For shows offering all of the Medal classes, the following equitation classes must be offered: Western Seat Equitation JTR, Saddle Seat Equitation JTR, Hunt Seat Equitation Not to Jump JTR & Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences JTR. Contact info.comp@arabianhorses.org for more information.

The Arabian Horse Galleries just joined Facebook! Join its Facebook page for cool photos, videos, discussion boards, updates and to meet other people around the world who are fans of the Arabian Horse Galleries.

Not a Facebook member yet? It's easy, fun, and a great place to meet other people who love Arabian horses and the Arabian Horse Galleries! Visit Facebook.com to set up your profile.

Already a member of Facebook? Become a Fan of the Arabian Horse Galleries today! Click here for the Arabian Horse Galleries Facebook page, and click on "Become a Fan."

Thank you to the donors of the 2008 AHA Convention who pledged to the Arabian Horse Galleries. Visit www.ArabianHorseGalleries.com for the complete list of donors.

The TABA Stallion Auction, sponsored by Al Shahania Stud of Qatar, will feature 26 excellent race stallions, plus a special offer of six mares or their ovums. These horses and their offspring have earned over $7.5 million. The online auction begins December 27, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. CST and closes January 10, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. CST. Click here for more information.

Mark your calendars for the 2009 Judges Seminar (the continuing education of current Arabian Judges). The dates are March 13-15, 2009 in Denver, Colo. Prior to the Seminar, on March 12, will be the National/Regional Judges Interviews. Please check the website for more details and forms. Also please check the back of the February/March issue of Modern Arabian Horse in the Judges and Stewards section to see who is due for a National/Regional Interview. Please contact the Judges and Stewards Commissioner's Office at 303-696-4537 or ahcommish@arabianhorses.org with any questions.

If you're a breeder of Arabians, Half-Arabians or Anglo-Arabians then the February/March issue of Modern Arabian Horse is for you. There isn't a better way to start 2009 off then by telling everybody about your exciting upcoming new crop of foals, weanlings and yearlings. Your farm and/or breeding facility will be seen by more than 38,000 subscribers along with specific editorial geared towards breeding. Furthermore, reserve your advertising space for the February/March issue by January 10, 2009 and well knock 10 percent off your already low AHA member advertising rate. Call Jim Sullivan today to reserve your space at (303) 696-4584 or e-mail advertising@arabianhorses.org.

With the 2009 breeding season upon us, give your horse maximum exposure in our Horses for Sale and Stallion Directory sections of the Marketplace in our upcoming February/March of Modern Arabian Horse Your horse is sure to get noticed in our most widely read section of the magazine; the Marketplace. In addition, we are offering a Materials On-time Discount. Advertisers that meet the deadline for sending in new ad materials receive a 5 percent discount off the current month's bill. This offer is valid only on new designs. This offer does not apply to renewed ads. Please contact Publishing Coordinator, Emily DeLuca, to reserve space or with any further questions: (303) 696-4569, marketplace@arabianhorses.org.

Do you know a groom who deserves special recognition for outstanding work? If so, nominate him or her for the 2008 Modern Arabian Horse Groomer of the Year Award. All you have to do is write a letter explaining why the groom is deserving of this honor. Include your name and the groom's name, address and contact information. All grooms nominated will appear in Modern Arabian Horse and all finalists will also receive a limited-edition embroidered Modern Arabian Horse windbreaker. You can e-mail your nomination letter to emily.deluca@arabianhorses.org, fax it to (303) 696-4599 or mail it to the Arabian Horse Association, c/o Groomer of the Year. Deadline for all nominations is December 31, 2008.

Due to coverage of the 2008 AHA Convention in Denver, the 42nd U.S. Nationals in Tulsa and the holiday mailing season, the December/January issue of Modern Arabian Horse will be arriving in mailboxes a little later than usual. We anticipate the magazine to arrive in mailboxes around the beginning of the year depending on the geographic area of the country in which you reside. Thank you for your patience as we always want to provide the members of AHA with the most complete magazine possible.

The AHA V6 Ranch Riding Vacation, April 8-12, falls on Easter weekend in 2009. Join in on four days of magnificent trail riding, cattle drives and one-on-one instruction by renowned breeder and trainer, Shelia Varian. To top it all off, enjoy "Cowboy Church" on Easter Sunday, coupled with Easter Sunday brunch. The cost of registration also includes home-cooked meals and a pen for your horse. All breeds are welcome at the V6 Ranch Riding Vacation. Click here to find out how to save $100 on your registration fee.

New Holland is excited to invite AHA members to visit a dealership and use a special, member exclusive, discount-coupon on the purchase of select New Holland tractors and/or hay tools. This coupon is available on the AHA website for anyone who has been a member for at least 90 days. HURRY, this coupon expires on December 31, 2008. Click here for details.

Membership benefits now include savings on auto and home insurance! AHA has teamed up with Liberty Mutual to offer our members Group Savings Plus®. This unique program allows you to purchase high-quality auto, home and renters insurance at low group rates through the convenience of automatic checking account deductions.

See for yourself how much money you could save with Liberty Mutual compared to your current insurance provider. For a free, no-obligation quote, call 1-800-524-9400. Or request a free quote on-line! Look for a mailing coming to you soon. Learn more about Liberty Mutual by clicking here.

*Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverages only. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify.
Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.