November 24, 2009 

The 2009 AHA Annual convention in Reno, November 18 – 22, was an event full of information, new and old friendships and lots of new duties.  The 334 delegates attending represented a larger number that has attended in several years.

As the new Director of Region V, I observed the Board of Directors meeting on November 18th and was very impressed with the men and women who devote many hours to AHA.  The day long meeting was full of issues that the association is working on at this time.

A reduction of headquarter staff was a painful subject necessitated because of budget shortfalls.  A realistic overview of the economy and how it has affected our industry was greatly discussed.  Many ideas and plans were forthcoming from Marketing and Promotions, along with many committees, to assure the protection of the association and its members, and our beloved Arabian horse – the very reason we all are bound together.

The talented members attending the convention, no matter in what endeavor, showed strong commitment to the success of the Arabian horse in whatever area it can be used and enjoyed.  Enthusiasm was good!!

The number of horses at the US Nationals held steady, horses at the Sport Horse Nationals increased nicely, and Youth Nationals numbers held constant.  The Canadian Nationals decreased for several reasons, but the new national competition for Distance Horses was a wonderful new venue and did extremely well for its first year.  A breathtakingly beautiful, short video was produced and shown at the convention to reflect the essence of this event.  The Distance Nationals is for endurance and competitive trail horses and was held in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  It will be held again in 2010 in Stillwater at the same time that the US Nationals will be going on in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The Sport Horse Nationals will be held in 2010 in Nampa, Idaho, before moving permanently to Lexington, Kentucky, the following year.

The Arabian Horse Galleries at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, is on schedule.  The Arabian Galleries is a two-level museum addition to the Kentucky Horse Park’s International Museum of the Horse.  The building is finished and paid for completely.  It is now, with the generosity of the Arabian horse community, being filled with magnificent exhibits dedicated to the Arabian horse.  The goal is to have this exhibit open at the time of the World Equestrian Games in 2010.  Over 600,000 people and numerous media opportunities are expected over a three week period during the games.  Over one million park visitors annually will be have the opportunity to view this exhibit.  This is certainly one of the best opportunities for promotion for our Arabian horse

A new youth scholarship in memory of actor Patrick Swayze was established for any AHA youth who wishes to study the performing arts as a permanent reminder of that man’s generosity towards youth.

            Next year’s convention will be held in Orlando, Florida, on November 17 – 21, 2010.  Start planning now to attend and enjoy Disney World at the same time.  Currently there are round trip tickets to Orlando from Seattle at about $200.00.  The 2011 convention will be in Vancouver, Canada.

See you at the activities and competitions this year in Region V!

Phyllis Ryan
Regional Director