Meeting Minutes

Region 6 Delegates meeting
June 18 , 2009

Region 6 Meeting — June 18, 2009
Director Dunn opened the meeting and gave a warm welcome to Glenn Petty, AHA Executive Vice who was invited to our Regional Show.
Approval of the minutes from 2008 Convention.
Treasurer’s Report was given my Mary bowden for Nikki Lowis
(6/17):
Horse Show Account: $45,439.48 including receipts to date from show income, without expenses.
Business Acct: $8,469.58
Youth Acct: $1,506.42
Total: $55,415.48
CD: $1,528.16
Cecile recognized Danielle Schmidt as a new Board of Delegates to convention last year.

Her report was also to inform the meeting attendees that we have 320 total members of our Region in clubs. Following is a brief report from each club:
MAHA — Holds a class A and Open show in May, is present at local horse races, and presentations at Livestock shows to promote the Arabian breed.
NDAHA — It was reported that they have a small amount of active people, but they put on the Double the Fun class A show in Auk Center MN in May.
SDAHA ­­— More of a social club that meets 4 times a year. They sponsor the Brooking Society Open Show the end of June.
Southern MAHA — Small club with Endurance enthusiasts. They hold 2 meetings a year with a Holiday Party and a Labor Day community Show in Bozeman.
Tri Arabian Club — holds a Spring schooling show and an endurance ride in Helena.
WYAHA — Did not hold their Class A show this year because of lack of entries but they enjoy trail rides, already having two this year. Decrease in members. There is a new facility in Douglas with 200 stalls in the main barn and will seat 700 spectators. This club had a very successful youth group judging team this past year.
Rapid City Club — Although not affiliated with AHA but hold 3 open shows in the area that are very successful because of the OPAC points. These shows are attended by many Arabians as there are classes for stock/hunter and saddle/pleasure horses. These shows are very family oriented and fun.
TAHSSD ­— Had to cancel their Class A show after 40 years because of lack of horses. They are also present at the SD Horse Fair with stick horse contest and used horse equipment and clothing for sale to benefit their youth. They give a scholarship and hold a high point banquet during their Holiday Party. They also have a successful Open show in June.

Glenn stated that AHA is trying to rejuvenate the clubs and hold a club presidents seminar at Convention this year, and expanding our Trail riding experience throughout the US.
Claude Clark is in charge of developing the new concept of having each Region hold a recreational ride, possible competitive trail and endurance as well. He is also developing a Facebook internet club to coordinate these events. Looks like the first one will be the last week of Sept or the first week of Oct. in the Black Hills.
Kymry Schmidt thanked all the members of Region 6 for their support of the Youth as she is our Youth Coordinator. Kelsey Kimbler was at the last Board of Director’s meeting in Denver and Cecile was impressed with her. She will have some big shoes to follow after her sister Kirsten was Youth of the Year not only for AHA but USEF as well. Kymry also reported that there was $265 raised at their silent auction held during their show in MT.
Cecile reported on The Arabian Horse Foundation, and that this great Charity needs support for Research, Rehoming and Scholarship funds. Contact Larry Kineer through AHA.
There was a suggestion for the Region to have a listing of ALL events throughout the Region posted on the website. This can happen if our clubs will send their information to the Director.

Cecile sincerely thanked all the show staff — Jeannie and Deb in the office and also for their donation of money and a class sponsorship. Matt Amsden for his tireless help with keeping the footing good, moving panels for the cattle, and adjusting the sound system just to mention a few of his duties. Gene Holloway for ring stewarding and judging, his wife Janet who was a great help in center ring!! Howard Shenk from Tucson, AZ for volunteering his services as announcer! Dorthe Fisher for ring secretary. She has been in this position since the Region Show started, Laura Lee Anderson, volunteer, Mary Bowden for being the Region scorer, hauling judges, Sport Horse scribe, and so much more! Steve Hugus for gate keeper and learning to be the new paddock announcer since this is Keith McGuire’s last year! Carlton Huit for donating his services as EMT, watching over the outgate. He has been a volunteer ever since the start of the Regional Shows. He also donated a sizable amount of money this year for drawings giving back to the exhibitors. Claude Clark, our new barn manager, and Cheri Clark our Show manager. The Ulmer family for their tireless effort to make the Working Western division grow and become a huge part of our Regional Show.

There was a total of $13,000 donated this year to make the show a success:
MAHA - donation for shavings
Southern Montana - the AM Coffee Breaks
NDAHA - Gift of money for Coffee Breaks
Jeannie and Deb - a personal donation
The Ranches of Cherry Creek - a Large donation for the Cutting and Exhibitor BBQ.
Drew Cedarberg - Monetary donation
The Kirby Family - Monetary donation
Carlton Huit - Monetary donation

At last count of horses it was 127 with representations from 17 states and 2 provinces in Canada. 40 horses from the Region. WE NEED THE OUTSIDE WORLD!
Cecile asked for approval for the Spring Laramer County show held in Denver 2010 over Memorial Day to be a 6 & 8 qualifier. Motion Passed.
Deb McGuire made the motion to support the AHA Endurance and Competitive Trail in the amount of $500 ($250@) That it get first priority if fund allow. Don Ulmer seconded. Motion passed.

Regional Horse Show Discussion
Cecile had a discussion with Jim Hitt (Region 8 Director) at the last Board meeting. Because of their declining numbers as well as ours there was a proposal to hold Region 6 & 8 in Denver 2010 with back to back weekends in June. Some were very concerned about the safety of the facility and others about losing our identity and having a HOME for our show. Glenn Petty also stated the importance of HAVING A HOME.
Colorado exhibitors indicate what is killing us is our dates. Our original dates were the last weekend of June.
We can move our dates back to the 4th weekend of June if we share the Rapid City facility with a Quarter Horse Show. They would be taking 100 stalls and the Brae Arena outside. Most felt we could manage with this group. Suggestions for promoting to the City for spectators and an all out promotion to make the Arabian exhibitors realize that this are of the country is a vacation paradise. This might help our numbers.
TAHSSD gave another plea to rotate the Regional Show East and West to give equal opportunity for the exhibitors a chance to show every other year closer to their home. The club offered to financially take the responsibility and pay the Region per horse until the Region got their feet on the ground, but had no intentions of taking over the Regional Show permanently in Sioux Falls, only 2010 & 2011.
Cecile stated that we cannot continue to lose money! The question was asked, “If the Region 6 show stays this small and in this location, would they be happy and would they financially support it?” The group agreed they would support it and preferred to stay in Rapid City.
Discussion was strong about the vote the Board of Delegates made at Convention to hold the Region 6 show in a central location. Cheri needs to keep the commitment for the facility for 2010 for the 4th weekend of June.

Meeting Adjourned
Deb McGuire for Marjori Pope, Secretary