Dear AHA Member,

In this e-mail broadcast, I want to bring you up-to-date on the search for an administrative executive to lead our organization, clarify the new Breeders Sweepstakes program, and let you know where I will be in February so you can talk with me personally. As your President, I want to reinforce my commitment to communicate to you on subjects that are relevant and important to our Association. My presentation of information is straightforward and truthful. This is your Association; it is important to have your support and keep you informed. We have come a long way in the last year and I want to continue that positive momentum. It is important to point out that there can be rumors and misconceptions within our community which is why I want to re-emphasize that what I tell you in my e-mail broadcasts is the latest news and is accurate. You have entrusted me with the responsibility of making decisions that have an impact on our breed and industry. I value highly the trust you have placed in me and will do my utmost to maintain that trust.


As you are aware, we are seeking a new administrative leader. The Executive Committee is currently serving as the “search team”. They have the vested interest in selecting the very best person possible. By using our Executive Committee as the preliminary search team, we are saving our organization money by not hiring a search firm. However, if these efforts are not fruitful then we will employ a search firm. This decision will be made at our AHA Board meeting March 3-4. The job description has been placed on our AHA website for everyone to review. I encourage you to review it and spread the word to qualified candidates. A resume can be submitted by email to EVP_Selection_Committee@ArabianHorses.org, faxing the AHA office at 303-696-4599 or mailing a resume to our Aurora office at 10805 East Bethany Dr., Aurora, Colorado, 80014. We also plan to advertise in various publications. While it would be great to have an executive who has knowledge of the equine world, it may not be an essential requirement. Once the candidates have been narrowed down, the Executive Committee will review the potential candidates and then bring the final candidates to the AHA Board of Directors for their interview process. The Board of Directors will have final authority on hiring the new executive person. My intentions are to have a new executive in place by early summer. Meanwhile, our staff at AHA remains strong, committed and are working just as hard as ever to do the best job possible for you, our members. The important thing for you to know is that there is a clear plan, we have business as usual, and the search is underway.


Our new Sweepstakes program continues to generate positive comments and enthusiasm in our Arabian horse community. As our full-page ad in the recent Arabian Horse Magazine states: “There’s Never Been a Better Time to Enroll Your Horse.” For the first time, exhibitors will be able to earn money in Sweepstakes classes at the local level. This means more of our members than ever before will have the opportunity to earn Sweepstakes money. Members who nominate their foals in-utero, will benefit from the program’s new feature that will pay them 10% of the horse’s point earnings for the lifetime of the horse.

Often, with any new program, there can be some confusion, and I want to address one misconception with you. Some people believe that the cost of nominating a horse for Sweepstakes is $15,000. That is very far from the true situation. As you know, nominating your foal for Sweepstakes is a gamble. Those who nominate do so with the belief that their unborn foal is going to be “a winner” and earn money. Entering your foal in-utero is called a “Breeding Entry” and this is only $400. There is another nominating option for horses that were not nominated as Breeding Entries and that is called “Original Entry”. These horses can be of any age and can still be nominated prior to March 1, 2006 for a nominal fee of $3,500 (terms are available). If your horse is by a Nominated Sire or out of a Nominated Dam, the fee is $2,500. However, after March 1 this fee will be $15,000. You are wondering, why so much? The reason is because we need to encourage Breeding Entries, not original entries.

Basically there were two choices that the Sweepstakes Commission had to make regarding Original Entries: One was to not allow nominations after March 1 at all, and the second was to allow nominations but set a high enough fee to encourage everyone to nominate as a Breeding Entry, not after the fact. Under the previous program people were waiting to see what they had and only nominated their “super star” horses. For a small investment, they were able to take many thousands of dollars out of the fund and often taking those earnings away from the member who had truly taken the gamble. In a way, it is like playing a game of cards: usually you are not allowed to see your cards before placing a bet. Is it fair then if one person gets to see their hand before they gamble and know their chances? Obviously, this is not fair. To address this inequity, the Sweepstakes Commission placed a higher nominating price on the “Original Entry.” Questions? In the last week, new Sweepstakes information including earning projections have been posted on the AHA website and complete rules are shown in Chapter 18 of the AHA Handbook which is also on the website www.Arabianhorses.org. Staff is available to answer your questions and help you enroll your horse today!




In January, we lost one of the leaders in our Arabian horse community, Mr. Jay Stream at 85 years of age. Mr. Stream was president of our Association in 1969 and 1970; he was also the President of WAHO from 1972 – 2003. Through Mr. Stream’s hard work and commitment he left a legacy in the equine world. Also I just recently traveled with Darrell Bilke, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of the Pinto Horse Association of America to attend the funeral of Denny Tuttle. Denny was the President and CEO of the Tulsa Expo Square and had worked very closely with us on our future plans for the AHA U.S. National Show. Denny was 54 years old and will be missed greatly. On behalf of all of us at AHA, I extend condolences to their families. Our prayers are with them.


I know that many of you will be traveling to Scottsdale for the show that kicks off the show season for many of our members. Many of you will be competing and others will be there to soak up the sunshine and enjoy this great show. I will also be attending the Scottsdale Show for a few days. I will spend much of my time at the Arabian Horse Association information booth. The staff and I will be there to talk with you and listen to your concerns and suggestions. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions about the new Sweepstakes program. Please feel free to approach me while I am at the show. I enjoy meeting all of you. We grow through the exchange of ideas and listening to what others have to say. I hope to see you there!

Sincerely and God Bless,