What's Your Pleasure

NSBA honored the High-Point Western Pleasure Horse in the Open Division as well as the Amateur Division at the dinner and awards ceremony. Gypsys Little Image by Good Version, and owned by Gerald Speeks, Midlothian, Va., received the awards. Carl Yamber, the trainer for this team also assisted in the acceptance for this dynamic duo. The Hunter Under Saddle award went to Dolls Dark Diamond sired by Marthas Six and owned by Jennifer Pine of Alamo, Calif. Lori Collier, Loxahatchee, Fla., riding The Katwoman, won the Amateur Hunter Under Saddle award. Congratulations to these year end award winners.

NSBA announced that the 2002 Awards Banquet would be held in conjunction with the Southern Belle Futurity in Tunica, Miss., on July 26, 27 and 28. Futurity classes and gambling at the casinos look like a fun time for all in July.

A report from Janet Gunn, the Breeders Championship Futurity manager, showed the numbers were up in the stallion enrollment for the Futurity. The BCF will hold the two-year-old competition as well as the longe-line competition this year at the Congress. Plans are underway to move to St. Louis for 2003. The Tri-Chairmen for the Breeders Futurity Show have been announced and they are Steve Carter, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Lynn Campbell, Indianapolis, Ind., and Bill Price of Lebanon, Ind. These three individuals have the experience and know-how to put together an outstanding show.

The show in 2003 will feature futurity classes, color classes as well as a new Champion of Champions concept geared around an all breed competition. Vendors looking to plan ahead can contact the NSBA office and reserve space.

The Hunter Under Saddle Committee report covered topics that included areas to increase participation in the color breeds in the hunter under saddle events. They will come to the board of directors in June with a proposal to add a High-Point Rider Award - Color Division as a year-end award. Chairman June Warren announced that they will have an open meeting at the Tom Powers Futurity.

The International Committee sent representatives of the NSBA to the AQHA open international meeting. During that meeting NSBA informed the group of the new policies being developed to encourage NSBA participation internationally. The NSBA board voted to allow a grace period in the 90 day show application time. This recommendation came from the input of international members. The committee will propose that the NSBA offer the International Affiliates an annual membership fee in lieu of individual annual memberships. In order to receive NSBA points and year-end awards an international member must be a member of the International Affiliate. Maria and Armand Sander of Sweden, representing the Scandinavian Snaffle Bit Association were appointed to the International Committee.

The Non-Pro Committee is working on a novice horse, novice rider category. This committee feels the need to offer a rookie type division for the introductory level exhibitor. They will make further recommendations to the board at the June meeting. Numerous letters have come into the office from affiliates requesting to host the Stallion Incentive Fund class. The board of directors reviewed these requests and voted to uphold Rule No. 152-1c, which states to be eligible to receive the stallion incentive money the show must have offered a NSBA event in the prior year. Jim Smith, Lynchburg, Ohio, is the chairman for the Stallion Incentive Program. Jim has advised the directors that we need to continually study the program and promote the mission statement of the NSBA. The Incentive Program will be reviewed to encourage the participation of the color breeds and offer the classes at a location that represents accessibility to all members.

The AQHA has continued to strengthen its alliance with the NSBA. Did you know that you can pull up a horse's AQHA show record on line and see how much money he has earned in the NSBA? This dollar record is an outstanding benefit to our members.

Don Treadway, of the AQHA, announced that there will be a new award for the American Quarter Horse stallion and mare whose AQHA foals earn the most money in NSBA competition the previous year. In addition, there will be a leading Freshman Sire Award among all first crop stallions, whose foals earn the most money in NSBA competition. NSBA and AQHA are working to develop programs that encourage participation in the pleasure disciplines while creating uniform rules and humane treatment policies for both associations.

Applications for the Dual Approved Program have the office staff hustling. This program has had an overwhelming response because of its ability to provide NSBA events to all breeds at a weekend level horse show. After the first weekend of Dual Approved event, the shows brought in 60 new memberships. Some of the areas that are endorsing the Dual Approval are Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Gordyville, Ill. These two show managers have a series of spring and summer activities scheduled all including the Dual Approved classes. The Texas Classic and the Redbud Circuit are some of the major events that will also offer this program.

If your show is interested in applying for futurity class approval or the new dual approval, please call the office and we will send the information to you.

New and improved AQHA Registration Certificate

The American Quarter Horse Association has recently made changes in the official AQHA Registration Certificate. The improved document features a color photograph of the registered horse directly on the page.

The AQHA explained with the new look the organization can more accurately record the markings of each horse, reducing the number of letters leaving the office which request members to clarify these markings. By sending photographs to AQHA, markings can properly be recorded.

Another benefit to the improved certificate is its ability to serve as a guarantee when selling the horse. The photograph on the certificate can be used to ensure the right horse is being sold. This will be especially helpful with horses having few or no markings.

The AQHA is asking for a color photograph with a 3/4 view of the horse being registered. All four feet need to be showing with the camera focused directly at the front of the horse's face. Photos of the front and rear of the horse should also be included.

Digital or 35mm photos are preferred. Include as many photographs as you would like to give AQHA a variety to choose from. Include only one horse in each photo to eliminate confusion.

Along with the photograph, all enrollments and program participation for the horse will be on the certificate instead of coming as an attachment. The same pedigree information will still be present, although it will also look a little different.

From now until the end of the summer new registration will take approximately 30 days. For more information please call AQHA's Registration Call Center at (806) 376-4811.