The Arabian Professional and Amateur Horsemen Association (APAHA), in conjunction with AHA, is happy to announce a new prize money program for the 2009 U.S. Nationals. The first four classes of the new program will be Purebred English Pleasure Junior Horse, Half-Arabian English Pleasure Junior Horse, Purebred Western Pleasure Junior Horse, and Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Junior Horse. More information and Application forms for each of the four classes are available here. Applications and payment must be submitted prior to July 15, 2009.

At the 2008 AHA Convention, Resolution 4-08 was passed that changed both the due date for resolutions and the effective date for implementation. Resolutions must now be postmarked/electronic transaction dated by August 1. See the COMPETITIONS section below for more details about the changes related to resolutions.

September 1 is the last day to submit completed nominations for the 2009 Ambassador Award. Please go online or review Article 2303 of the AHA Handbook for additional rules and requirements.

September 30 is the deadline for USDF All Breed Year-End Awards. Remember, you have to enroll your horse with AHA in order to qualify for this award. The highest-scoring Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian will not be the automatic winner unless you are enrolled. Click here to learn more about the program and download a form.

Any member wanting to be on an AHA Committee in 2010, have his or her name printed in the 2010 Handbook, be considered for Chair, and vote for a Chair, needs to sign up by September 15. Sign up is available online at www.ArabianHorses.org in the "Members Only" section. If you do not wish to be considered for Chair of the committee, please click the appropriate box. Make sure all contact information is correct.

The AHA Task Force on Genetic Diseases is seeking feedback from the Arabian horse community on key topics involving genetic testing, reporting of test results and education about genetic conditions. Please complete the survey by clicking here. The survey will close on September 30, 2009. Those unable to access the survey online can request a hard copy of the survey or submit general comments to Beth Minnich, chair of the task force, at phanilah@aol.com or via fax at (206) 667-1188.

Beginning January 1, 2010, managers and secretaries of approved AHA shows will be required to have current individual AHA Membership. Membership (Base or Competition Level) will be required from the time of the show's recognition through to the completion of the show results being reported to the AHA office. If at any time the show manager or secretary does not meet this requirement, the show sponsor will automatically be billed for the AHA Membership(s). For more information, please contact the AHA Office at 303-696-4500, option 4.

At the 2008 AHA Convention, Resolution 4-08 was passed that changed both the due date for resolutions and the effective date for implementation. Resolutions must now be postmarked/electronic transaction dated by August 1. This change in date allows the Agenda & Resolutions Committee to review resolutions and submit those affecting USEF/EC to the appropriate offices by the September 1 deadline implemented by USEF.

Proponents must now state whether a resolution is "extraordinary" or "standard" when submitting resolutions. An extraordinary resolution is defined as one that affects the health, safety or well being of the horse and/or rider; affects the financial well being of AHA, and/or Member Organizations; or creates a severe hardship or gross unfairness to the Association's recognized events or involves other compelling circumstances clearly specified.

If a resolution is submitted as extraordinary, it must clearly define how it meets the "extraordinary" criteria. It will then be reviewed by the Agenda & Resolutions Committee to determine if it meets the necessary criteria. Upon approval, the effective date will be December 31 of the year adopted or upon approval by USEF/EC, if applicable.

A resolution deemed as "Standard" will upon passage, have the effective date of December 31 the year after adoption (i.e. adopted November 2009, effective December 31, 2010).

A newly revised Resolution form is available online, which has incorporated these changes. Also new is the "How to Submit Resolutions" document. Look for these items under the "Convention" section of the website.

Qualifications earned by amateurs in ATH/R/D and AOTH/R/D classes may be used for Open classes at Regional and National Shows.

Are you hosting an Arabian Community Show in 2009? Find out why this is AHA's most successful program. Bring your community together in a stress-free, friendly atmosphere and bring the fun of showing to Arabian enthusiasts in your area. Converting your existing local shows is easy, and we can help. Find out more at ArabianHorses.org/ACS.

Registering for the 2009 AHA Convention in Reno is easier than ever. The Convention will be held at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada November 18 - 22, 2009.

Simply click here to register today.

Visit our Convention Homepage for up-to-date information on registration, hotel accommodations, transportation and all other Convention documents.

For anyone interested in commercial exhibit booth space on site, please contact Karen Freeman by Oct. 1.

We look forward to seeing you in Reno!

The 2009 Fall Exhibitor/Judges School will be held in Scottsdale, Ariz. Dates for the School is December 3-5, 2009 with the Judges Evaluation coinciding on December 4-6, 2009. The Live Judging portion of the 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 be held at a special rate for the 2009 Fall School and Evaluation at the Marriot. You may 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. Check out the website www.arabianhorses.org under Competitions, Judges & Stewards, Seminars and Schools for all the information you need to register.

Trust us, you do not want to miss this vacation. AHA's 5th Annual Fort Robinson Trail Ride Vacation is September 16-20, 2009 in Fort Robinson, Nebraska. Join us for an experience you will never forget—five days of trail riding through beautiful terrain—good fun and good company. The fee for an AHA member is $455 and includes five days of lodging, stabling, three home-cooked meals each day and great entertainment. All breeds are welcome. Please visit ArabianHorses.org/trailride for more information on pricing, registration and a tentative schedule. Or contact LeighAnn Corey at (303) 696-4531 and LeighAnn.Corey@arabianhorses.org.