Dear Arabian Horse Association Members,

In an effort to reach all of you with AHA and the Arabian community's latest news and information in the most effective and convenient way, a few changes are in progress.

AHA Insider - NEW
First, beginning in May, the E-News: AHA Broadcast Newsletter, which has brought AHA information to your email inboxes for the last four years, is getting a fresh, new look. The AHA Insider, as the electronic newsletter will now be called, will arrive at the same time it has for the last year, on or around the 10th of each month.

AHYA Insider - NEW
As usual, the AHYA Insider, which is sent to youth members only, will arrive in email inboxes during the third week of the month. Like the AHA Insider, the AHYA Insider will have a new look as well.

AHA Insider: Regional News - NEW
A new addition to the above two newsletters is AHA Insider: Regional News, which will arrive on or around the 27th of each month. This new communication tool will allow region-specific news to go to the masses and allow members of each region to see what is going on around the country. Any other emails you receive in this format will be an AHA Insider Flash, which will contain urgent news only.

Modern Arabian Horse - NEW
Lastly, you will soon see emails that specifically support Modern Arabian Horse in the form of announcing advertising deadlines and more. AHA is also currently exploring a variety of email-blast options to fill advertising needs. Stay tuned for more details.

As always, thank you for supporting the Arabian Horse Association.

There is a correction to National qualifications for Reining and Trail in the printed version of the AHA Handbook. Article 1354 should read, "Three points or two scores of 68 or better will qualify for a National Championship class." It is correctly listed in the Regional/National class list found in chapter 13. In addition, Article 1354 of the online version of the Handbook has been corrected.

Reined Cow Horse has now been added as an exception regarding judging at Regional Shows. AHA Article 1209.5 in the online version of the Handbook now reads; "A horse may cross-enter the same type class (Breeding and In-Hand or Performance) provided the same judge does no adjudicate both classes (Res. 37-77). The exception to this shall be the Cutting Horse, Reined Cow Horse and Working Cow Horse judges."

Qualification points for Walk/Jog Trail have been changed. Points for Regionals have been changed from a total of "2" points required to "1". For Nationals, the points required have gone from "4" to "2". This correction has been made in the online version of the Handbook.

Regional Select qualification points have been defined. Previously listed in the Handbook were Western and Hunter Pleasure Select classes, which require a total of 3 points. English and Country English Pleasure have now been defined and require a total of "2" points for Regional Championship classes. See Article 1237 and the Regional/National class list in the online version of the Handbook.

Did you know as an AHA Member you can view your horse's Qualification Points, Competition Record, Achievement Award Points and/or Sweepstakes Points online? Login as a member and once you are at the "Welcome Back" page click on "Horse/Rider Points and Competition Records," which is located in the Program Services portion. Also note that there are several views for riders/handlers under this same section.

Qualifications can be earned through AHA's Open Qualification Program. Exhibitors in Dressage, Working Hunter, Hunter Hack, Jumper, Eventing/Trials, Combined Driving, Carriage Pleasure Driving, Reining, Working Cow, Reined Cow, Cutting classes and Competitive Trail and Endurance Rides that are not recognized by AHA are permitted to qualify for Regional and National Events. See chapter 14 of the online version of the Handbook or call (303) 696-4500 and select option #4 for our Competition line to receive additional details. In addition, qualifying scores required can be located in chapters 12 and 13.

Don't forget! If you have a Breeding Entry or Original Entry you are eligible for the Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes Points Program. This is an optional program that allows for an additional way to earn Sweepstakes Prize Money. Enroll for a $100 per year prior to your first competition and if you place in a Sweepstakes Designated Class or Ride you can earn points prize money. Placings on the local level are paid through 6th place, Regionals through 5th place and Nationals through 10th (50% rule applicable for Regionals and Nationals). See the following link for information or call (303) 696-4500 and select option #4 for our Competition line to receive additional details.

New change in payout for Sweepstakes Points for Competitive Trail and Endurance Ride participants! Starting in 2009 the Sweepstakes points will be paid on the combined number of Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabians participating in the ride. We will no longer be including all breeds. Also new this year, Allocated Prize Money will now be available at the National Competitive Trail and Endurance Rides (longest distance to be paid).

Calling all Dressage participants competing in Open, Adult Amateur, Junior/Young Rider and Vintage Cup divisions for both Arabians and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabians for Training through Grand Prix Levels! Sign up now to be eligible for the AHA/USDF All Breeds Award Program. Top 5 horses receive certificates and Champions receive an exclusive additional prize in each level for Arabian and Half-Arabians/Anglo-Arabians. See the link for additional details.

If you are planning on competing in Sport Horse In-Hand at the 2009 Sport Horse Nationals you may notice some changes. The Sport Horse National Show Commission is committed to making Sport Horse Nationals a success and keeping our exhibitors informed. The Sport Horse National Show Commission has decided that each class of Sport Horse In-Hand will utilize one triangle. This will alleviate the perception of each judge viewing a different presentation of each horse; each two-judge panel will judge one triangle simultaneously. One presentation from an exhibitor will receive two scores. Utilizing only one triangle for each class will also alleviate some concerns over space and free up another arena to be used for competition warm up. The Show Commission feels that this is the best option for Sport Horse Nationals and the exhibitors.

The more money raised now, the more glorious the exhibits of the Arabian Horse Galleries will be. It's a critical time. Forthcoming decisions on exhibit design-just one month away-depend on money raised from the Arabian horse community. Please help us represent the Arabian horse to the highest level it deserves.

Every dollar counts.

Make your donation today at www.ArabianHorseGalleries.com/GiveAGift.

Thank you for supporting the Arabian Horse Galleries, the museum that will share the story of the Arabian horse with the World.

The 2008-2009 AHYA Youth Board is looking for activity and t-shirt sponsors for Youth Nationals. When you sponsor a Qualifier T-shirt, your name/business name/website/horse's name is printed on the back of 1,000 shirts. Choose your contribution level: $250, $500, or $1,000. Or maybe your family or barn would like to sponsor an activity like the AHYA Convention or Parade of Regions? Download a Youth Activity Sponsorship form today from the AHYA website by clicking here.

Purebred Arabians, Fryvolous and Remarkable Man won the Kahayla Classic and the UAE Group 1 Emirates Championship, respectively. The U.S. connections of these two outstanding Arabian race horses epitomize the U.S. Arabian race horse breeding and racing program is a caliber that produces horses with the talent and bloodlines to excel in all countries. Click here for more information.

Plan ahead for the 2009 U.S. Nationals and book your hotel reservations through the Tulsa Convention Housing Bureau. Reserve your room by email, fax, mail or online. Click here for more information.

The 2009 Fall Exhibitor/Judges School will be held in Scottsdale, Ariz. December 3-5, 2009 with the Judges Evaluation coinciding on December 4-6, 2009. The Live Judging portion of this School and Evaluation will be held at Westworld at the 2009 Saguaro Classic. The classroom portion of this event will be held at the Scottsdale Marriot at McDowell Mountain. Sleeping rooms will also be held at a special rate for the 2009 Fall School and Evaluation at the Marriot. Contact the Marriott directly at (480) 502-3836 to make room reservations. For more information on this event please contact the Judges and Stewards Commissioner's Office at (303) 696-4537 or ahcommish@arabianhorses.org. More information will be posted on ArabianHorses.org shortly.

AHA will be at the Third Annual Las Vegas Arabian Breeders World Cup. Stop by the AHA booth in the show's Commercial Exhibit Hall at the South Point Hotel and Casino, April 16 - 19. Bring registrations, transfers, and any other AHA work and/or questions with you. AHA staff can help! Also, check out our new non-member magazine specials! AHA is an official Corporate Sponsor of the Arabian Breeders World Cup. For directions and other information, click here.