Lewisburg, TN - The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) annual general membership meeting was held Friday, December 4, 2009, at association headquarters in Lewisburg, Tennessee.
The meeting began with a welcome from President David Pruett. In his address he thanked the staff for their efforts in weathering the tough economic times. He then urged all in the industry to work together to eradicate those that do harm to the Tennessee Walking Horse breed and TWHBEA. He closed by asserting that the focus for the coming year would be on developing new revenue streams.
Following the approval of the agenda and the approval of the minutes from the December 5, 2008 annual general membership meeting, Executive Director Stan Butt made his report. He began by thanking TWHBEA’s 2009 corporate sponsors, Silverspring, National Bridle Shop, Wahl Clippers, and Manna Pro, as well as all the other sponsors that contributed to the success of the association over the past year. He then stated that each corporate sponsor had already committed to continuing their sponsorship in 2010. Butt then commended the staff and thanked the board and executive committee, noting that interest in the Tennessee Walking Horse and TWHBEA is on the up-swing. In recapping 2009, he covered a number of programs and accomplishments including the Academy Program, marketing efforts at all three Equine Affaires as well as Road To The Horse, Mane Event, and Best of America by Horseback, TWHBEA’s international efforts, the World Versatility Show and National Futurity, Celebration Clinics, and a new relationship with the Brotherhood of Working Farriers.
Reporting for the Administrative/Fiscal/Audit committee, Butt related that the association’s cash is holding steady. He reminded everyone that at the May board of directors meeting, it had been predicted that TWHBEA could possibly end the year with a $70,000 - $75,000 shortfall and that the association’s reserves would possibly be tapped. Butt explained that neither of these predictions had come to pass. Instead, as of November 30, 2009, TWHBEA had $588,270 in cash and, according to the current trend, TWHBEA would end the fiscal year in the black. Turning to the budget for 2010, he reported that it had been constructed based on the assumptions that new foal registrations, transfers, and DNA would be off as much as 26% and memberships could possibly be off another 10%. Overall, the 2010 budget of $2,171,652 will be possibly $900,000 short of last year and it will call for TWHBEA to end 2010 $6,500 to the good.
In the next standing committee report, Breeders Vice President Dee Dee Sale covered the various projects and subcommittees of her division. She reported that phase one of the iPeds upgrade was complete and work on phase two would begin in 2010. She also discussed the new TWHBEA Master Breeder Award, noting that a Master Breeder wall had been established at TWHBEA headquarters to house bronze busts of each honoree. Turning to the association website, she stated that the new online classifieds section would be up soon. Work is ongoing concerning the simplification of registration project. She then touched on TWHBEA’s efforts to counter what “Western Horseman” calls the three key issues facing the horse industry, Too Many Horses, Land Loss, and The New Generation. The association’s efforts include the new Equine Welfare Committee, the Coming Home program, and memberships with the Unwanted Horse Coalition, Backcountry Horsemen of America, and Leave No Trace. To end her report, Sale announced the presentation of two appreciation awards. The first, a stud fee for JFK, was presented by David Williams of Waterfall Farms to Breeders Committee member Marsha Yzaguirre. The second, a stud fee for Ted Williams, was presented by Rising Star Ranch’s Rick Womack to Breeders Committee member Elsie Darrah. Both of these women have worked hard on various Breeders Committee projects in 2009.
In the briefest report of the day, Enforcement Vice President Rick Womack stated that it had been a quiet year for his committee and that he hoped the trend would continue in 2010.
Horse Shows Vice President Bruce Vaughn began his report by expressing his hope that the positive attitude present at the fall shows this year would carry over into the 2010 show season. He then recognized the 2009 National Futurity Champions and thanked the staff for their work on the show. Vaughn next turned to the Regional FuturityProgram. He reported that six regional futurities had been held in 2009 and that there was room to add more if anyone so desired. He closed his report by discussing plans to develop an informational packet for horse show managers.
In his report, Marketing Vice President Kasey Kesselring began by talking of the success of the 2009 membership drive which resulted in a 51% increase in new members over 2008 efforts. Turning to other accomplishments of the marketing department, he discussed the discounts now available to TWHBEA members, the revised membership renewal card featuring member benefits, insurance available at member only rates, the new Tennessee Walking Horse logo, the futurity hip tag program for sales, the new Horses 101 tab on the TWHBEA website, and Best of America by Horseback. Kesselring also listed the various in-person marketing ventures including the three Equine Affaires, the Gaited Experience in Tunica, Mississippi, Road To The Horse, the Gaited Experience in Alberta, Canada, and Equitana 09. Reporting on the Celebration, he stated that 118 memberships and $3,543 in gift shop sales had been brought in during the event. Finally, he commended Tracy Pinson and Skyjacker’s Mountain High on their Extreme Cowboy Non-Pro World Championship.
Kathy Zeis, Owners/Exhibitors Vice President, began by reporting on the activities of the International Subcommittee. She stated that an international membership meeting had been held in Germany and that other international activities had included Equitana 09, the Mane Event, German Championships, the Gaited Experience Alberta, Dutch Championships, the European Youth Camp, Western Canada Regional Futurity and Horse Show, European Championships, and the European Federation of Farriers Clinic featuring Stan Trimble. She also reminded everyone that TWHBEA’s international activities are funded through the USLGE. Zeis then turned to the stateside activities of the Owners/Exhibitors committee, discussing the success of the 2009 Celebration Clinics and the GO! Gelding Program, which had 61 enrolled geldings in 2009. As part of her report, Zeis presented the 2009 GO! Gelding Awards.
Reporting for the Pleasure Horse Committee, Vice President Rick Wies started out by stating that his committee is devoted to the promotion of all aspects of the pleasure horse. Recapping the 2009 World Versatility Show, he indicated that the show had ended up with a net gain. He urged everyone to familiarize themselves with TWHBEA’s various pleasure horse programs and discussed the various levels of accomplishment within the Versatility Program. In closing, he congratulated Paula Nobles Fraley and sponsored rider Julie Dillon for completing the Best of America by Horseback Mexico to Canada Ride, Tracy Pinson for her Extreme Cowboy World Championship, and Gary Clayton for his NATRC Championship.
By Laws Member At Large Vice President Debra Jack reported on the activities of both the By Laws Committee and the Equine Welfare Committee. Beginning with By Laws, Jack stated that the one proposed by law amendment had passed and that the board of directors manual had been revised. She then reminded everyone that, in order to conduct business, committees are required to have 50% of their members present. Turning to the Equine Welfare Committee, she reported that the email blast system was up and running. In order to receive these emails, one need only to send a request to eqwelfare@twhbea.com. She then stated that the Equine Welfare Committee had played a part in three rescue situations so far - the re-homing to two horses in Pennsylvania, the recovery of a stolen horse in Georgia, and the continuing care of 84 neglected horses rescued from a Canon County, Tennessee farm. In closing, she discussed TWHBEA’s new Coming Home program which gives owners the option of including a sticker on a horse’s papers that indicates that, if after the horse is sold it ever needs a home, that previous owner would be willing to take the horse back.
In her report, Youth Member At Large Vice President Christy Lantis touted the success of the 2009 All Youth Day at the Celebration. She commended staff members Paulette Ewing, Chris Coffey, Sarah Gee, and Kristen Stegall for their hard work on the event. She reported that there were approximately 300 entries in the 4-H Judging Contest and that the mini clinics proved both educational and entertaining.
Performance Horse Vice President Wayne Dean provided the final standing committee report of the day. He likened 2009 to a roller coaster rider but adamantly stated that the performance horse is still alive and well. He then reported that FAST had committed to funding the Academy Program in 2010 and that the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association had agreed to support TWHBEA in their efforts to administer the Youth Challenge Program, which will feature incentives for participating riders as well as participating trainers.
The next item on the agenda was the reading of the results from the 2009 International Board of Directors election. Following this, President Pruett asked for old and new business. As there was no old or new business brought up, the meeting moved on to comments from members. Nancy O’Dell Plunkett commended TWHBEA member Holly Reynolds for a two-day judging seminar she held in Oregon. Suyin Oldenburg talked of the establishment of a youth committee in Europe. Nathanael Jackson asked for clarification on TWHBEA’s status with the 2010 World Equestrian Games, which President Pruett provided. Lastly, Mark Matson related the drop in both registrations and memberships at TWHBEA to the dow index and industry issues related to the show ring. He urged the association to take a stronger stand against issues in the industry by not electing to the Executive Committee anyone with a Horse Protection Act violation.
Outgoing Executive Committee Meeting
Lewisburg, TN - The final meeting of the 2008-2009 TWHBEA Executive Committee took place Saturday, December 5, 2009, at association headquarters in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Following the roll call, approval of the agenda, and approval of the minutes from the October 10, 2009 Executive Committee meeting and November 14, 2009 Executive Committee conference call, Executive Director Stan Butt provided for approval the financials for the periods ending September 30, 2009 and October 31, 2009. He reported that for September 2009, the budget called for a profit of $380 compared to an actual profit of $12,904. For October, he reported that revenue was off $50,000 but expenses were off $58,000. Actual profit for October was $45,201. Year to date, the actual revenue stands at $58,168 compared to expected revenue of $31,000. Both sets of financials were approved.
In their comments, both President David Pruett and Senior Vice President Robert Thomas expressed their appreciation for the hard work of the Executive Committee. Butt’s comments echoed this sentiment and included a call to action for 2010.
Under old business, Pruett discussed plans for the 2010 Sound Horse Conference, which will once again be sponsored by TWHBEA. Performance Horse Vice President Wayne Dean talked of the need for sponsors for the Youth Challenge Program, this year implemented by TWHBEA with anticipated support from the WHTA and other industry organizations. Owners/Exhibitors Vice President Kathy Zeis noted that a European Youth Association was going to be formed. By Laws Member At Large Vice President Debra Jack reminded everyone of the quorum requirement for conducting business in committees. And, Breeders’ Vice President Dee Dee Sale related that her committee had approved an increase in blood typing fees.
Under new business it was announced that several board members had resigned including Bob Ramsbottom of Tennessee (replaced by alternate Leah Boyd), Tracy Weier of Ohio (replaced by alternate Paul ‘Whitey’ Whitehead), and Diane Lashoones of Region 4 (no alternate). Dean related that SHOW President and CEO Dr. Steve Mullins had requested that three people from TWHBEA be nominated to a committee at SHOW so that TWHBEA would have a voice with the HIO.
Semi-Annual International Board of Directors Meeting
Lewisburg, TN - The TWHBEA Semi-Annual International Board of Directors Meeting was held Saturday, December 5, 2009, at association headquarters in Lewisbug, Tennessee. The first item on the agenda was a welcome from President David Pruett, who urged the directors to work together to grow the association and to eradicate those harming the breed. He also touched on the various accomplishments of TWHBEA over the past year, including the new discounts available to members, the Sound Horse Conference, the website, revitalization of the Commemorative Garden, and the upcoming book - The Tennessee Walking Horse: An American Tradition.
The roll call revealed a quorum with 65 directors present. Following roll, Executive Director Stan Butt recognized the newly elected directors and President Pruett administered the oath of office. Next up was the approval of the agenda and the approval of the minutes from the May 23, 2009 International Board of Directors Meeting. Each Executive Committee member then provided a brief overview of the standing committee report given at the previous day’s general membership meeting. Subsequently, the board ratified the actions of the Executive Committee since May 23, 2009.
Next up, Butt presented the 2009-2010 proposed budget for approval. Butt reported that the 2009-2010 budget was based on the assumption that there would be across the board decreases in membership, registrations, DNA, transfers, blood typing, and conversions. He reported that for 2010 the budget called for total revenue of $2,171,652, total expenses of $2,165,186, and a net gain of approximately $6,500. Prior to the approval of the budget, Butt announced a new incentive program designed to encourage directors to renew memberships in their regions. The director that brings in the most memberships will be awarded an official blue jacket and the director that brings in the highest percentage of memberships compared to the total number of members in their state or region will receive a cruise or similar prize. He also reported that the costs associated with blood typing were increasing. He stated that the University of Kentucky was raising their blood typing fee $14 and increasing the cost of blood typing kits from $6 to $8. He then related that the Administrative/Fiscal/Audit and Breeders Committees had recommended a fee increase from $50 to $65 for blood typing and a fee increase from $6 to $8 for blood typing kits. A motion was made and passed unanimously to approve these fee increases. The budget was approved.
t was then time for the report from the nominating committee. This year’s committee consisted of Chair Debra Jack, Christy Lantis, Joe Rankin, Darden Gladney, and Tommy Hale. Jack presented the following slate - President David Pruett, Senior Vice President Dee Dee Sale, Administrative/Fiscal/Audit Vice President Rob Cornelius, Breeders Vice President Jack Heffington, Enforcement Vice President Kasey Kesselring, Horse Shows Vice President Bruce Vaughn, Marketing Vice President Marty Irby, Owners/Exhibitors Vice President Stephen Brown, Performance Horse Vice President Ty Irby, Pleasure Horse Vice President Rick Wies, Trainers Vice President Wayne Dean, Equine Welfare Vice President Dr. Linda Montgomery, Member At Large By Laws Vice President Lloyd Hall ‘Buster’ Black, Member At Large Youth Vice President Margo Urad, and Secretary Sharon Brandon. Following the presentation of the nominating committee’s slate, Attorney John T. Bobo read the election procedures, which were subsequently adopted by motion. Calling for nominations from the floor revealed one additional candidate as Leslie Topham was nominated for Member At Large Youth Vice President. A motion was made and passed to elect the unopposed nominees by acclamation. Following remarks by both Leslie Topham and Margo Urad, Urad was elected by ballot, 43 votes to 20, Member At Large Youth Vice President.
As there was no old business, the agenda moved on to new business under which a motion was made and passed to issue a press release summarizing TWHBEA’s current status with the World Equestrian Games.
The next meeting of the TWHBEA International Board of Directors is scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 29, 2010 at TWHBEA headquarters in Lewisburg, Tennessee.
Incoming Executive Committee Meeting
Lewisburg, TN - A brief meeting of the 2009-2010 Executive Committee was held following the Semi-Annual International Board of Directors Meeting. Following a welcome by President Pruett, the committee set the dates of their next two meetings, Monday, January 25, 2010 and Monday February 22, 2010. Both meetings will start at 10 a.m.
–Sarah Gee
For further details or information, please contact (931) 359-1574.
