• In my previous special e-mail broadcast, I explained to you the hiring of a new Executive Vice President, Gary Zimmerman, of Denver. Gary wasted no time meeting with staff and challenging them to create objective, quantitative measurements to guide and document progress. He told every department head that their department must examine and assess activities with an eye on what can be done better, faster and at a lower cost, without sacrificing service and quality of product. He is focused on increased marketing of services and programs, developing staff cross training to improve productivity and service quality, studying closely our Information Technology situation, and putting in place measurement metrics to assess how effective our efforts are.
• Gary hired a Senior Director of Marketing, Dan Lawrence, who has a degree in journalism and telecommunications from the University of Northern Colorado. Dan, who assumed his duties June 26, brings an 18-year professional marketing background to AHA. For the past 16 years he has been in executive leadership roles with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and was recently Interim Vice President of Marketing.
• We have also hired a new managing editor for Arabian Horse Magazine. Amy Train, who has a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, joined our staff after serving as public relations and marketing specialist with the American Paint Horse Association. Amy has been an Arabian horse owner since she was six years old, and currently owns two Arabian horses. We have a strong team to fulfill the objectives you wanted: Leadership that will direct our organization in a business-like, efficient, and accountable fashion.

The new Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes program is maintaining constant momentum with new people signing up every day for the Points Program. As information is disseminated and word of mouth continues, I believe our membership will continue to see the value in the Points Program. Remember, this is a program that you must enroll your Sweepstakes horse in for $100 per year. For that entry fee, you can collect dollars for points not only at regionals and nationals, but also at AHA recognized shows and events (excluding ACS shows). At this point, the new Sweepstakes program has grown faster than we had anticipated. In fact, our gross revenue income in Sweepstakes is the highest it has been in over seven years. We estimated the projected payout to be approximately $10 per point and remain hopeful that it will exceed these forecasts. Don't miss out! I think this is a great incentive to enroll your horse. I encourage you to sign up by going to our AHA website and clicking on the Points Program on the home page. For more information on this, contact Cheryl Holloway at 303-696-4500 or Cheryl.Holloway@ArabianHorses.org.

• Keri Stewart, our AHA Product Marketing Manager, tells me there will be another promotional "push" this fall to bring our number of ACS shows to 50. There will be more sponsor incentives to bring us to our goal, so watch for more information about how you can put on a fun, inexpensive Arabian Community Show. I am pleased to report that Paint Rock Designs will continue to be a sponsor of the ACS in 2007, and Ariat International has also committed. I want to thank both of these sponsors for their support and belief in this new show venue. Their help is greatly appreciated!
• Our waiting list is now over 100 for the Ft. Robinson Annual Trail Ride in September. We have 125 riders signed up for this second annual event. MDP continues to research other sites throughout the country, with the intention of having four to five within the next five years. Not every site works, as certain criteria must be met for the ride. This ride has proven to be one of the most fun-filled events we have done in a number of years.
• A new "position" has been created within our regions and that is the Public Relations Network Representative. We have spent time, money, and significant effort creating new programs that need to be taken to the membership so our members can learn how they can use those tools. These individuals, selected by regional directors, will help promote AHA programs and services and grow the breed. The PR Representatives will help you, our members, understand and take advantage of these exciting programs. There will be a training seminar at Convention for these new volunteers. The majority of regions have submitted names as their designated representative. If you are interested, please get in touch with your regional director. We hope to have all regions represented for the November Convention.

This will be a "special" Nationals this October as it marks the last time we hold this national event in Louisville, Kentucky. We plan a grand time built around the theme: "Louisville - One Last Time." We're anticipating a large turnout of horses, exhibitors, and spectators who will want to visit the famous Freedom Hall one more time. We are anticipating sold out evenings especially on the final Friday and Saturday nights of the show, so I urge you to purchase tickets in advance. The final Friday night will be very special as the "Arabian Nights Dinner Theatre Road Show" from Florida will be the featured entertainment with an appearance of Walter Farley's Black Stallion. This special evening is part of the Black Stallion Literacy Project, and AHA is a sponsor of that project. We're expecting a large turnout from the Louisville community. Also presented daily October 18-21 is the Past Champions Live Collection, comprised of six legendary horses that made their mark in Louisville: Countess Vanessa, Good Thunder, Monogramm, NDL Pericles, Rohara Moon Storm, and Scarlet Lace. On Saturday night, we'll bring our Freedom Hall performances to an end with a dramatic "Past Champions Formal Tribute". I am really looking forward to this event as this show will truly be a U.S. Nationals to remember!


Our upcoming 14th Annual Youth Nationals will go down in history as a record breaking one with approximately 1,150 horses entered! It is the largest number of horses ever for our Youth Nationals, topping the 2004 high by over 50 horses. The greatest part of this is that our AHA staff was able to get them all entered in time to make the program deadline. Our staff processed and entered 1,100 horses in about six days. What a super accomplishment! Thanks to all who worked on this historic show! Good luck to our youth showing at the Nationals.


For the second year in a row, I attended the annual "Think Tank" at Bazy Tankersley's Hat Ranch near Flagstaff, Arizona. Nearly 30 of us gathered for two days of conversation and the exchange of ideas about our breed and the Arabian Horse Association. Many of you may be aware; there is considerable consternation about the dwindling numbers of horses competing in halter classes. Consequently, we have several committees and groups reviewing the subject with excellent prospects for a resolution to come to Convention 2006 to attempt to increase participation. We had excellent dialogue on this subject at the Think Tank. The group discussed possible solutions to improving halter based on four important points: Stimulating breed growth, stimulating audience interest, assuring accountability on the part of judges, and the treatment of horses with respect. The opinions and suggestions from the group will be shared with those who are working toward a resolution for Convention. The meetings are energizing with many new ideas. I was pleased to again visit the ranch and enjoy the warm hospitality extended by our generous hostess, Mrs. Bazy Tankersley.


Many riders are readying their horses for the national championship distance rides coming up. The National Arabian & Half-Arabian/Anglo Arabian Championship Endurance Ride will be held September 23 in Brothers, Oregon. Following this ride, we have our National Competitive Trail Ride October 21-22 at Kanapolis State Park in Marquette, Kansas. While we are on the subject of Endurance riding, I want to point out an important recent announcement from the United States Equestrian Federation. The Federation announced the selection of the National Endurance Team for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games to be held in Germany later this summer. Twelve rider/horse combinations were named and of that 12, eleven of the horses are purebred Arabians and one is a Half-Arabian, and of the horse backup list of six rider/horse combinations, all are Arabians. These riders and horses will represent our country in the international games. The list was created through an intensive selection process over the past two years. I know we excel in the distance-riding world with our horses, but this honor and distinction speaks volumes for our breed. The best of luck to the riders and horses as they represent the U.S.!


Our financial picture remains bright, and we are $129,000 ahead of where we were two years ago and are on target to finish the year with a surplus of nearly $500,000. With high numbers for Youth Nationals, the promise of a great Canadian Nationals, our increasingly popular Sport Horse Nationals, and the U.S. Nationals, we have a promising, strong financial picture. To assure a great year, we have a management team focused on financial accountability.


Our AHA staff and Regions 13 and 14 are busy gearing up for the 2006 Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. There are some new, special pricing opportunities coming your way for the luncheons, tours and the President's Banquet, so please pay attention to correspondence about the Convention. This information should be forthcoming very shortly. The two regions have an outing planned for the Kentucky Horse Park on Wednesday, November 15, before Convention begins. There will be buses to transport people to the Park. And, several organizations, including USEF, will "host" us for refreshments while on the tour. The Park has designated this day as "Arabian Horse Association Day." Stay tuned to make your travel plans so that you can enjoy a very special, exciting Convention!


I attended the United States Equestrian Federation Board of Directors meeting in Lexington, Kentucky July 11, and will travel to Albuquerque for the Youth Nationals. Following that, I travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma for a site inspection of the show facilities. August will prove to be a busy month for me as our Board of Director's meeting is August 11 and 12, followed by Canadian Nationals August 21-26. I will also attend the Sport Horse Nationals in Idaho September 20-24.


I sincerely hope you share my sense of satisfaction for the progress we are making. Your belief and support has enabled us to accomplish much for our Association. I believe we have a strong leadership team in place at AHA, a terrific staff that is energized and prepared to do the very best that they can, and some great programs in place. I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events and spending time talking with you.


Sincerely,

And, God Bless,