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Re: [RC] AHA Sweepstakes Program from the horses mouth... - Chris Paus

I haven't participated in the sweepstakes program because it costs wayyyy too much and the payback for me would be negligible. My stallion and mares aren't sweepstakes nominated, so to nominate a foal would cost more than i could possible sell a foal for!
 
It hasn't seemed to hurt my sales. My foals have gone to people who want a good horse, a good distance riding prospect, that can be part of the family.  I think only a small percentage of AERC riders would actually make much if any money in the sweepstakes program.  It's clearly geared toward Class A showing. riders have to compete in regional and national rides and do 100s to earn much.
 
I've got a friend who insists on breeding his mare to a sweepstakes horse, but ne never rides any farther than an LD and never will. he doesn't breed to sell the offspring, he just wants another horse for himself. The sweepstakes program wouldn't pay him diddly squat for LD competition. I guess he hasn't figured that out yet.
 
My clients who have all become friends seem to be more interested in having a good horse at a reasonable price than having a sweepstakes horse.
 
I'm sure my story isn't the only one like this out there! The AHA is shooting itself in the foot with this and other programs that reward the big name trainers and show barns and leave the rest of us in the dust.
 
chris

"Dean A. Conti" <dean@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
There has been a fair amount of discussion about the AHA Sweepstakes Program
but I didn?t feel like I had a good understanding of what was really going
on. So I went to the AHA site and looked through the PowerPoint slideshow
(www.arabianhorses.org/membership/convention/2005/new_sweepstakes.asp) about
the problems and future of the program. I still had many questions; though
it was obvious it had to be fixed as there has been a negative $3,595,000
cash flow in the program over the past seven years. So I emailed a question
to the AHA to test their response to an endurance rider?s question.
I was pleased to have a quick and helpful reply from Mr. Meier, chair of the
AHA Sweepstakes Commission, and I have included a copy of my requests and
his reply.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Meier,
I just sent in an application for transfer of King Sam FA (AHR 585633) to my
ownership. I just received from you information on the sweepstakes program
as I was trying to decide if I should nominate him. Looking at the decisions
made recently by the BOD it appears there is little incentive for the
endurance rider. Please explain to me all the benefits of nominating a horse
for $3500 that will only be used for Endurance.
Dean
Owner # 5009568
Membership # 776956
------------------------
From: Dean Meier
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2005 8:39 AM
To: dean@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Sweepstakes. Commission (E-mail)
Subject: Sweepstakes question
Hello Mr. Conti- Details are still being finalized on the new sweepstakes
program that will now be paying dollars for points in local AERC completions
for the first time.
  Participation by AHA members competing on registered sweepstakes nominated
horses has stagnated the last several years at a very low level. Competitors
told us that they did not participate in those rides because of the cost and
distance factors. It is hoped that by paying at the local AERC level, more
people will be able to participate and  get a financial return from their
Sweepstakes horse.
  In addition, AHA is working with the AERC to try and develop a program
that will have more appeal to AHA members riding registered Arabian
Sweepstakes horses.
  As with the past program, each individual member will need to evaluate
their particular situation based on their interests and the completions they
hope to participate in. The details of the new program will be published in
December, the deadline to enter your horse has been extended to March 1st,
hopefully this will give each member ample opportunity to make the best
decision possible.
 When the details are published, please feel free to contact me with any
questions or concerns you may have.
  Sincerely, Dean Meier, Chair
------------------------------
Mr. Meier,
Based on the financial information that shows the extent of negative cash
flow in the sweepstakes program over the past years I thoroughly understand
the necessity of making changes. I am glad to see that the AHA is working
with the AERC, which makes a lot of sense considering the high percentage of
Arabians that are being used in this growing sport.
With what you are telling me there seems to be some incorrect information
being bantered around on the AERC email group. With your permission I would
like to forward your letter to the group so they can have a more accurate
idea of what is happening.
Dean
---------------------------
Please do- I would appreciate that- we did look at this very seriously, and
no doubt some folks are taking a serious hit.
 There is a lot of misunderstanding out there as well- and we want to make
sure our t's are crossed and i's are dotted before we release the final
details.
Sincerely, Dean Meier
----------------------------
Mr. Meier enthusiastically supported having this information passed along.
So it appears the AHA Sweepstakes Program may become more AERC ?friendly? in
the future. Perhaps it would be in our collective self interest to add our
voice and support to the AHA to let them know we are out here and care
(email to Sweepstakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx). It appears to be somewhat late in
their change process but it can?t hurt our position to add positive
suggestions.

Dean
AERC 33370

PS: Thank you for all the helpful ACL information. The bottom line is while
all my 790 endurance miles were completed without an ACL, the risk of
continuing with a compromised system is just too high. A top Sports Med doc
here in Seattle will be wielding the knife and I feel more secure in my
decision. Perhaps I should take up wheel chair racing in the interim?




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"Kindness is the mightiest force in the world.
Chris Paus
Lake Region SWA  http://lakeregionswa.fws1.com
 
Replies
[RC] AHA Sweepstakes Program from the horses mouth..., Dean A. Conti