AHA/CTR riders could really use your
help. This is a long complicated story so I'll try to keep it
simple. AHA made some changes to the sweepstakes program this year that
eliminated the funds paid to winners/placers at the regional and national level
rides. They implemented a new program and are now awarding
points to be paid for those placing in AHA Recognized
Rides. The points will be accumulated and then one check issued
at the end of the year. Sounds simple.
Here's the kicker. For a CTR
ride to be recognized it must currently use the AHA rules, score sheets, and
provide a steward. Additionally every horse at the ride, regardless of
breed, must now be judged and scored twice. Once under the CTR governing
body that is sanctioning the ride, and once under AHA rules. This means
that non-Arab owners are being forced to stand for the AHA scoring. There
are a 100 other issues with this position as well but I said I'd keep it
simple.
The AHA National CTR Committee has
voted to NOT require AHA recognized CTR rides to use the AHA rules and to
accept the placings of the original governing body. In February
we submitted a motion to make this change effective
immediately. The **STAFF** at the AHA office tabled the
motion. They didn't want the extra work and they don't want to have to
deal with different CTR bodies.
I've put the motion before the BOD
for the meetings they are having this weekend. I have found out that the
BOD CAN vote in favor of this motion and it CAN go into effect
immediately. When I got home from the office tonight I had a message from
the AHA staff telling me they were going to table the motion again.
My frustration with this has nothing
to do with the sweepstakes horses, I don't own any. I do however
have huge concerns with AHA trying to take over the CTR world and....if they are
going to offer sweepstakes programs to breeders and owners then they better make
sure there is a way for these horses to participate in the
programs.
This is were we need your
help. If you have time, and wouldn't mind sending a quick fax stating you
want the BOD to review and vote for the CTR motion being presented it could
really help the cause.
I recognize this probably isn't the
best forum but it's the only place I knew of that I could get in touch with a
lot of distance riders by tomorrow. We have to show AHA there are a large
number of us out there and we are paying attention to what they are doing....or
lack there of.
The fax number is 303-696-4599
If you know your regional director's name fax it to them. If not you can
send it to the BOD in general.
Sorry for any grammar, spelling,
etc. errors...it's late.
