05/28/09
Stepping Soundly Into The Future At The TWHBEA Semi Annual Meetings
Lewisburg, TN – Held May 21-23, the 2009 Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association Semi Annual Meetings proved both informative and productive. The three-day schedule began with sub-committee and committee meetings, included an Executive Committee meeting, and culminated in the International Board of Directors Meeting. The sub-committee and committee /meetings were focused and fruitful. The Executive Committee meeting was timely and topical. The International Board of Directors Meeting, which featured standing committee reports that recapped what was accomplished in the sub-committee and committee meetings, was efficient and effective. 65 directors made the trip to TWHBEA headquarters for the International Board of Directors Meeting.
Prior to the International Board of Directors Meeting, the TWHBEA Executive Committee held a brief meeting. Actions taken in that meeting included the approval of the financials for the period ending April 30, 2009, the approval of a motion to present for comment changes to the requirements for Supreme and Superior Versatility Champions, the passage of a motion to approve modifications to the regional futurity program and the passage of a motion to adopt a statement in support of the sound performance.
The proposed changes to the requirements for Supreme and Superior Versatility Champions are published in their entirety at www.twhbea.com and in the July issue of the Voice magazine.
Modifications to the regional futurity program include requiring that only the regional futurity logo be printed on show programs, capping the program at 10 participating futurities with only 1 per every 200 mile radius, requiring a minimum of eight classes including weanling fillies, weanling colts, yearling fillies and yearling colts and requiring that exhibitors at regional futurities or the National Futurity be members of TWHBEA (this modification was expanded to require that World Versatility Show exhibitors also be members of TWHBEA).
Following the call to order and roll call at the International Board of Directors meeting, President David Pruett stepped to the podium to recognize Executive Director Stan Butt for five years of dedicated service to TWHBEA. Pruett commended Butt for his commitment to the association.
Administrative/Fiscal/Audit Vice President Mike Inman presented for approval the annual audit for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2008. After stating that the association ended the period with approximately $500,000 in cash, he reported that revenue was down approximately $800,000 year over year and that expenses were down $1.8 million year over year. The motion to approve the audit carried unanimously.
President Pruett began his remarks by discussing the difficult economic situation facing TWHBEA. He commended both the staff and Executive Committee for their efforts in meeting economic challenges and urged everyone to work together to put ideas into action. He also detailed some of the efforts of the association during the first half of 2009 including the web site redesign, eNews letter, Ipeds update, new monuments in the commemorative garden, ongoing work on the upcoming Tennessee Walking Horse coffee table book, acquisition of insurance programs for TWHBEA members and the development of a new membership renewal packet.
Senior Vice President Robert Thomas echoed Pruett’s concerns regarding the economy, stating that 2009 has been and will continue to be a very difficult year. He remarked that the current financial stability of the association is largely due to the efforts of the staff and reminded everyone that the Tennessee Walking Horse is the greatest horse in the world and that it would survive.
In his remarks, Executive Director Stan Butt also spoke of the financial challenges facing TWHBEA and the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. He detailed the cost-cutting efforts of the association staff and related that a revised budget was in the works that would cut an additional 27%-32% of spending in all departments. He also discussed international marketing efforts, reminding everyone that TWHBEA is reimbursed for these efforts by the United States Livestock Genetic Export (USLGE) program. In closing he urged the directors to focus on programs and functions that would help TWHBEA ‘Step Soundly Into The Future.’
As is customary, the first standing committee report of the day was given by Administrative/Fiscal/Audit Vice President Mike Inman who reported that the association’s finances have remained relatively flat since September 2008. He reported that, after taking out funds committed to the National Futurity and Commemorative Garden, TWHBEA has approximately $500,000 in the bank or enough to cover three months’ operating expenses. Over the last six months, revenue was down $195,000 and expenses were down $211,000 for an actual loss of $14,000 compared to a forecast loss of $21,000. Inman closed by stating that for the year the loss could be as high as $70,000 but that the association’s leaders were going to work hard to make everything break even.
Breeders Vice President Dee Dee Sale reported on the recent release of upgraded Ipeds, relating that it was still a work in progress. She also announced that the results of the recent TWHBEA membership survey would be sent to each director and that a Master Breeders Award had been developed.
Enforcement Vice President Rick Womack explained that there had been no need for his committee to meet this year.
Reporting next, Horse Shows Vice President Bruck Vaughn discussed the modifications to the regional futurity program (see Executive Committee meeting coverage earlier in this article for full details). He then urged the directors to support their local shows in any way they could.
As Marketing Vice President Kasey Kesselring was absent from the meeting, Marketing and Programs Director Chris Coffey provided the next report. Coffey discussed the various ongoing marketing efforts at the association including the ongoing membership drive, a new breed representative at the Kentucky Horse Park, ongoing preparations for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, an updated membership renewal packet, TWHBEA’s partnership with Australian long rider Joe Guy and the various horse fairs and events attended by the association. He then detailed upcoming projects including podcasts, videos, a Celebration membership drive and the TWHBEA’s 75th anniversary.
In her report, Owners/Exhibitors Vice President Kathy Zeis discussed developing plans for TWHBEA’s Celebration clinics. She related that the clinics would be videotaped by Nathanael Jackson and that DVDs would be available for purchase. She then turned to the GO! Gelding Opportunities Program, announcing that trophies for the program will be donated by Vicki Pennick and Randy Johnson. Discussing TWHBEA’s international efforts, she explained that there are now 500 Tennessee Walking Horses in Germany and 350 in Israel. She also remarked that the Dominican Republic now has a Tennessee Walking Horse association.
Performance Horse Vice President Wayne Dean began his report by recapping the Academy Program’s 2009 season, which saw 493 entries in six shows and 97 entries in the Academy Championships. He then urged shows to include the Youth Challenge class. Moving on, he motioned that the Board of Directors adpot the following statement, which was drafted by Kasey Kesselring and Lori Northrup and previously adopted by the Performance Horse Committee and the Executive Committee – ‘The TWHBEA Board of Directors is dedicated to the sound performance horse. We do not support practices in violation of the Horse Protection Act in the development and training of the performance horse. The TWHBEA Board of Directors supports the sound and compliant performance horse as one of the breed’s numerous disciplines.’ The motion passed unanimously. Dean then posed three questions to the directors – Are you a Tennessee Walking Horse fan? Do you believe in the natural abilities of the Tennessee Walking Horse? Do you support your fellow members’ right to own and show the performance horse? In closing, he reminded everyone that TWHBEA, the Walking Horse Owners’ Association, and the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association are each committed to sound horses and urged everyone not to forget how far the industry has come in the last 20 years.
Pleasure Horse Vice President Diane McMurtrey began by reporting that the World Versatility Show is scheduled for July 25-26 at Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She then announced that judges Rick Weis and Sherrie Szucs had agreed to donate their services. A third judge, USDF L Judge Betty Ortleib, has been retained for the dressage classes. TWHBEA Youth Coordinator Sherry White then stepped forward to discuss TWHBEA’s trail programs. Versatility Committee Chairperson Kris Herman summarized the proposed changes to the requirements for the Supreme and Superior Versatility Championships (for full details visit www.twhbea.com or see the July issue of Voice magazine) and Dee Dee Sale discussed the potential for a World Versatility Show Snaffle Bit Futurity.
Chris Bobo, Trainers Vice President, remarked on his love for all aspects of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed. He then announced that the Trainers’ Show is scheduled for June 3-6 at the Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He stated that the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association is currently updating its directory and re-evaluating its membership requirements. He related that his committee was brainstorming ideas for using science and education to better showcase the Tennessee Walking Horses.
Reporting next, Vice President Member at Large By Laws Debra Jack announced that there is only one recommendation for a by law change that would be presented to the membership this year. This change would alter that number of members required to elect a director in an international region. Currently all states and regions are allotted one director for the first 25 members and an additional director for every 175 members beyond that. The proposed by law amendment, which applies only to international regions, would grant one director for the first 25 members, a second director for the next 25 members and an additional director for every 175 members beyond that. Turning to the Equine Welfare Committee, Jack announced that in 2010 this would be an official operating division of TWHBEA with its own vice president. She related that a web page was in the works with links to Equine Welfare sites and that an email system was being developed to link those with horses that need homes to those that can provide homes.
In the final standing committee report of the day, Vice President Member at Large Youth Christy Lantis discussed the various projects of the Tennessee Walking Horse Youth Association. Those projects include a European clothing drive, web project and potential Facebook page. Lantis also discussed the upcoming WHOA/TWHBEA Youth Camp at Montverde Academy and announced that 12 kids would receive scholarships courtesy of directors from WHOA and TWHBEA to attend the camp. Turning to All Youth Day, she reported that a new clinic format, mirroring The Amazing Race, would be used in 2009 and that the Creative Contests and Youth Judging Contest would be held as usual. Discussing TWHBEA scholarships, she stated that she was very concerned that the association may not have the funds to present the usual eight scholarships.
Following the standing committee reports, the Board of Directors ratified the actions of the Executive Committee since December 6, 2008.
With nothing to discuss under old business, the meeting moved on to new business. Topics covered included the criteria for the Master Breeders’ Award, the need for a scientific study of the scar rule, the status of an International Board of Directors training session, director eligibility related to the Horse Protection Act, means of attracting new members and the potential for reviving the lifetime membership drive.
After setting the date of December 5, 2009 for the next International Board of Directors meeting, President Pruett opened the floor for members’ comments. Comments covered several subjects including potential by law amendments, the power of the Board of Directors and the importance of the trail riding segment of the industry.
–Sarah Gee
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