Re: [RC] AHA Sweepstakes Program from the horses mouth... - Mary Ann Spencer
Perhaps you can keep us updated on the AHA programs
that are endurance related. I doubt that AHA will make enough changes that
will encourage those of us from the 'not fancy side of' horsedomville
to bother with it. Hate to be negative but 'money' makes money and
the AHA only represents those with the 'money'. IMHO, after trying to
scrape and continue with it in past yrs. Sorry but one of the most
beautiful horse breds in the world is more 'commodity' than companion in
the eyes of the association. IMHO. A more successful
association for 'us average riders' who are not rich or have rich daddy's is the
AQHA. I am seriously considering no longer owning Arabians.
Subject: [RC] AHA Sweepstakes Program
from the horses mouth...
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.
