[RC] AHA and Juniors at the national ride - mkrumlawChris, (this is not meant to single Chris out, just a general reply to some other questions I've received of line.) It's great to hear you are a member of AHA and very exciting to know you are only breeding quality horses! The point I was trying to make however, was that there is a much higher number of distance riders who aren't members than are. I also don't want everyone to think I've got "go AHA" stamped on my forehead. I get just as annoyed with the programs and politics as everyone else. The biggest issue with AHA is that those who make their living off of large breeding operations, show barns, and training are governing AHA. As a career upper management type I've always held the position that if you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the problem. So I jumped into the swamp with both feet to wag the flag for the average arabian owner. Let me tell you, the swamp can get pretty frosty when you're in a room full of show folk and you say something like 80% of Arabian owners don't care about the ring. Though it's taken some time and it's taken the right type of person as director, we are starting to see some exciting changes in our region. If your local Arabian club is only focused on showing, as was ours, organize and start your own AHA affiliate organization. Right now there are only two of the 100's of AHA affiliates that have a distance and pleasure riding focus. Another loud statement to AHA. If you don't want to start your own club join AHA through ours (www.oaats.org). The more members we have the more attention we get. I have a picture on the wall in my office. It was given to me by one of my previous CEO's as I finished a very intense three year project. It says "In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins...not through strength but through persistence." I'm persistent as hell. :-) MKS --------------------------------------------- This message was sent using MailMan provided by Good News Internet Services http://www.goodnews.net/ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by IntelliBlock MailScanner, www.intelliblock.net and is believed to be clean. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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