I suspect there is not enough growth in distance riding to turn a
decline around. To grow you need to indentify a growth area. The number
of starts at AERC rides is has grown only about 10% over the past 4
years was virtually flat between 02 and 03. Yep we have a few more
people showing up at some rides but that seems to be ofset by a few
less at others. CTR seems about the same.
Even if there were good healthy growth in endurance - it would not be
enough to make much an impact on what seems to be the issues facing the
AHA.
>From what I've witnessed over the past 10 years the growth is the
average recreational trail rider. In the places I ride there has been
an explosion of trailers riders. They are not riding Arabs - a few
apps, a few quarter horses but for the most part they are riding gaited
horses and have no interest in "spooky hot headed Arabs." This is your
"distance market." Most of the people ride often and quite a while when
the ride. I think there is a lot of reason for the popularity of the
gaited horse to this market. First a person with little experience in
riding but the desire to ride can get on a gaited horse and have fun
from day one. They don't bounce because they can't post, they don't
need to take lessons to go out and have fun. I would have no problem
with putting a new rider on Rocket (and have) and taking them out on a
trail ride. I would in no way put them of my Arabs. With Rocket we can
rock on and they don't bounce - they get a grin from ear-to-ear because
they are having fun. On an Arab and trotting horse in general they
would mostly struggle at first.
How does the AHA play in the recreational horse market? First they
might be to work on the horse's image and promoting the "high headed,
fire snorting" halter horse image is not helping one bit. That the
image they are sending about an Arab and most recreational riders want
security, safety and a good time - that's what has to be promoted about
Arabs.
I'm a member of the AHA and would like to see it grow and prosper.
However, there is a changing demographic and horse ownership and there
was a crash of the IRS created bubble in Arab market (where farms near
Ocala were selling yearling Arabs for $50,000 and the next year after
the change in IRS law, could not give them away) in the '80. Both of
these seem to be having an long term negative impact on the AHA.
I don't know what the solution is but clearly what they are doing now
is not working. Maybe they should call up some of the gaited horse
organizations and talk with them - their ownership is growing
gangbusters.
Truman
Lif Strand wrote:
world.
Showing of Arabians has had it's time to prove
it's worth to the breed. Anyone can see where it has gotten
us. It is time to focus on the Arabian horse's tried and true
specialty: Distance riding.
-- "It is necessary to be noble, and yet take humility as a basis
"It
is necessary to be noble, and yet
take humility as a basis.
It is necessary
to be exalted, and yet take modesty as a foundation."
