AHA has partnered with Vancouver, WA-based Alpine Payment Systems (APS), as AHA's "Official Credit Card Processing Company." The partnership will provide AHA with unparalleled safety and state-of-the-art customer service across all credit card transactions. The partnership will also give AHA clubs, regions and affiliates new access to some of the most competitive credit card processing rates in the industry.

"Our affiliation with APS will truly be a significant member benefit, in that so many of AHA members are what would be classified as small business owners. These folks will now have access to fees that are normally only available to larger businesses."

If you are a member or affiliate of AHA and want to learn more about how APS could save you significant money on all your credit card transactions, make them more convenient for both you and your customers, as well as provide unmatched security, contact Rob Scott, Regional Vice President, APS at 360-798-1157 or robs.alpine@live.com. Visit APS at www.alpinepaymentsystems.com.

It is hard to believe the Arabian Horse Galleries is on its homestretch to opening. Read The Galleries Winter 2010 E-Newsletter for the most current updates on recent activities.

The annual Darley Awards, honoring the best in Arabian racing, will be March 13, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Visit www.arabianracingcup.com for Darley nominees and further information on the ceremony. Friday, March 12 will showcase the Texas Yellow Rose and the Texas Six Shooter Arabian Stakes races, grade 2, at Sam Houston Race Park. Come join in the excitement of Arabian racing!

The Arabian Jockey Club (AJC) Race Committee and Board of Directors are proud to award the 2009 AJC Special Achievement Award to The Arabian Finish Line magazine.

As owners, editors and publishers of The Arabian Finish Line since January of 1997, Donald and Bobbi Patscheider continue to devote their energy to a magazine that plays an important role in the development and continued growth of the Arabian racing industry.

Begun in 1989 by Jean Streeter and Darryl Duncan in a hand typed news-letter format, the magazine was initiated to compile and disseminate race statistics to the small world of Arabian race horse enthusiasts. The Arabian Finish Line magazine, under the Patscheider's current stewardship, continues and adds to its initial concept; enabling those who follow the sport of Arabian racing the opportunity to stay informed about the horses, the statistics, the people and the breeders of Arabian racing, both nationally and internationally.

Those in consideration for this award are contemporary individuals, families, farms, organizations, entities or horses who made a significant impact on the racing industry without regard to the number of years of involvement.

Unique and creative, SHOW SEASON, is the fashion icon of the show ring, dressing champions for over 30 years in western, English and hunt attire. As show season begins for 2010, why wear what you don't love? SHOW SEASON is announcing the opportunity to TRADE IN & TRADE UP. Bring us your outgrown, custom saddle suit, western attire or hunt coat and receive up to 30% off your new custom order for like items. Nothing to trade, ask us about our incentive discount on all custom orders. For details about our show schedule, farm visits, promotions or our new, ready to wear showroom, visit us at www.showseason.com.

At the January Board of Directors Meeting, the Budget and Finance Committee presented the FY2011 Budget. The budget has been reviewed by both AHA staff and the Budget and Finance Committee members. Although fee increases are never popular with those incurring the additional cost, the increases were necessary to help AHA better cope with today's economy. Some of these fees had not been increased in over five years. Please view the summary of all fees and their history by clicking here.

We encourage you to enroll or renew in the various programs prior to April 1 to receive the lesser rate.

AHA Recognized Event Calendars (non-member)	increased to $15 from $10
Amateur Achievement Awards
Initial enrollment	increased to $45 from $35
Annual renewal	increased to $35 from $30
Complaint filing fee for EPRB	increased to $200 from $100
Dressage Programs
Open show qual. program annual enroll.	increased to $35 from $30
Open show qual. program annual enroll.
After 60 days	increased to $65 from $60
USDF All Breed Awards (horse/yr.)	increased to $25 from $20
USDF All Breed Awards (horse/yr.)
(After 30 days)	increased to $35 from $30
Dressage Rider Award Program/level	increased to $45 from $35
Distance Horse Program
Distance Awards initial enrollment	increased to $40 from $35
Distance Awards renewal	increased to $35 from $30
Frequent Rider Program	new $25 initial enrollment fee
Horse Achievement Awards
Initial enrollment	increased to $45 from $35
Annual renewal	increased to $35 from $30
Open Event Incentive Program (recording fee)	increased to $10 from $3
Open Qualification Program (excluding dressage)
Open Show Qual. program annual enrollment	increased to $35 from $30
Open Show Qual. program annual enrollment
(After 30 days)	increased to $65 from $60
Program transfer fee (foreign registered horses)	increased to $40 from $35
Returned check fee (regardless of cause)	increased to $60 from $50
Shows/Rides
Post show fee (per horse)	increased to $3 from $1
Single Event Membership (per person)	increased to $35 from $30
Regional Ride Recognition	increased to $30 from $25
Local Ride Recognition	increased to $25 from $20
Failure to submit prize list to AHA
30 days prior to show	increased to $150 from $100
Adding class after Prize List is printed	increased to $30 from $25

It is not too late to enroll your unborn foal In-Utero with a late fee. Get your enrollments for Sweepstakes and Halter Futurities in by February 15 to take advantage of these programs for your new baby.

Renominate your horse in the U.S. and Canadian Halter Futurity Program until March 31, 2010 for $135 per horse/per country (provided the 2008 renomination has been paid). Also, buyback into the Halter Futurity Program (horse must have been originally enrolled in-utero). The buyback fee is $535 per horse/per country/per year missed for purebreds and $285 per horse/per country/per year missed for Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabians.

New classes have been added to the Standard Class List in the following divisions: Adult Amateur Equitation/Showmanship, Dressage Musical Freestyle, Combined Jumper Classes and Team Penning. Look for these classes at upcoming shows!

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 at the time of recognition through the completion of the show results at 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.

Sweepstakes payout for the 2009 competition year will be mailed soon. A breakdown of the payout is available on the website and can be viewed by clicking here.