APAHA NEWSLETTER
December, 2006

President's Message
Chris Culbreth

We are approaching the end of my second year as President. I wanted to take some time to share my thoughts with you about where we were, where we are and where, I hope, we are going.

One of the goals of the APAHA is to increase the involvement of Arabian Horse exhibitors in the overall processes that effect the exhibiting of Arabian Horses. To achieve this goal we have reached out to everyone and tried to let them know what they can do to get involved. We have done this through our newsletter, mailings, informative meetings at shows and convention. Additionally, we have done community outreach by offering free seminars and sponsoring Q & A sessions at events. Through these efforts, we have seen our membership increase roughly 33%. We have also seen an increased involvement from segments of our industry that have previously remained in the background.

Another area of focus has been to take that involvement and affect positive change throughout our entire community. Through the efforts of APAHA members Peter & Lori Conway, they effectively rallied our members and other AHA committees to improve our shoeing regulations and to revolutionize the way we present and adjudicate our halter horses.

The US Nationals Liaison Committee of APAHA has continued to have a positive influence on our National Championship horse show. Committee Chair, Mary Jane Brown has been involved in the class scheduling and her committee members continue to assist the US National Show Commission on the arena footing. We have also been highly involved in the development of our new nationals show venue in Tulsa, OK.

In an effort to assist all horsemen, Mary Trowbridge has tirelessly worked on the Horseman’s Distress Fund. This fund has helped many people and has been strongly supported.

The Horseman’s Awards continue to thrive. With improvements in the voting process and constant vigil by committee chairs, Cindy Denapoli and Bob Battaglia, the program has grown and the voting pool has begun to reflect a broader spectrum of our community.

Newsletter chair, Pam Kittredge and web site chair, Chase Harvill continue to get our word out to the membership, thus creating more work for membership chair, Carole Stohlmann. Carole, Pam and our entire board have done an excellent job of increasing our membership over the past two years.

The Youth Nationals free seminar series has encouraged and supported our youth thanks to the efforts of Kathie Hart.

So, that brings us to the question, where are we going? I would like to see the APAHA continue to grow. With the efforts and a common vision of all Arabian horse exhibitors, I honestly feel we can make our breed and events phenomenal. We have the greatest horses in the world and I am confident with diligence and shared goals we can become number one amongst all equestrian sports.

At our November general meeting, USEF President, David O’Connor, discussed licensing and certification for professionals. I would like to see us take a leading role in this. Who better to come up with a system then those it would affect most.

In closing, I would like to thank the entire board and executive committee of the APAHA. Through their efforts we have achieved something great and I am looking forward to the future.

To the entire membership of the APAHA, thank you for being part of something so important, the future of the Arabian horse. Without your support and efforts we could not grow and have such a positive impact.

Sincerely,

Chris Culbreth
APAHA President