Ah, what a catch 22! AHA tells
us, and has been telling us for 20 years, that if we have numbers, we will get
benefits. Something has got to give, as people aren't joining because of
no benefits and no benefits are given because people aren't joining! Our
region has very high numbers in our regional ride, and we have worked hard to
promote AHA. Our youth team has won two out of three years against the
show horse people in the AHA youth team tournament. We have a huge
distance club in TX. I feel in our region we have done our part in
increasing numbers, and what did we get? An increase in fees! So how
do we justify to all of these people to join?
IMO, AHA is going to have to make a
leap of faith. They are going to have to make the awards program
affordable, they are going to have to have to award weight divisions as
"regional classes" and have a fair division between half arabs and full
arabs. Why not try this for two years and see the numbers? Put the
awards reasonable and fair, advertise as such and see what the numbers do?
If the numbers don't increase, go back to the way it was. If it does,
wah-la.
I know I am preaching to the choir
here, but honestly, I haven't a clue who to send this to that would make a
difference.
