Racking Horse Breeders’ Association of America
Unapproved General Membership Minutes
Winter Meetings ~ February 16, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 12:35 pm by President Ed Hiers.

Wilburn Williams delivered the invocation to start the meeting.

Approval of Meeting’s Minutes

September 29 2007 Minutes; J. Fred Johnston moved to approve and Wilburn Williams 2nd motion.  Motion passed.

President Ed Hiers Report: President Hiers welcomed everyone and thanked them for taking time to attend the meeting. Mr. Hiers stated that 2007 had been a tough year.  As a group, the RHBAA had a good year but it was tough in the sense that we lost members, family and lost horses.  But 2008 is going to be great year!  Financially it’s going to be tough, but we will over come this.  President Hiers stated that he had attended all the committee meetings and he had never seen the committees so excited.

Treasurer’s Report:  Ms. Harris discussed that for the first time in a long time that accounts payable was $0.  This means we have caught everything up and have stayed current with all bills.  Ms. Harris discussed that we need to bring membership and registration back up. Ms Harris went over the December P&L totals.  RHBAA made net profit of $54,601 in 2007, and $77,347 with the sell of property with total net profit of $131,948 (taxable). Ms Harris discussed taxes to be paid for 2007 due on March 15, 2008; federal $36,213 and state $7,000.  Ms. Harris discussed rewriting the mortgage to lower the payment to have a better cash flow as we are paying mostly principle and little interest. This would give us money to make improvements to the building and grounds.

President Hiers asked each committee to come up with goals for 2008.  He stated that his goal for 2008 is to update the RHBAA rulebook.  A section will be added to the back of the book to add rule updates.  Any updates that come out with be mail with in 30 days will be posted on the website within a couple days.  He also stated to make a commitment to get information out faster.  All committees will get their minutes in on a timely matter.

Committee Report’s

PERSONNEL & PROPERTY COMMITTEE: Jim Morris

Committee members: Jim Roberts, Shane Dumas, Fred McRoy, Darlene Harris, and Judy Jones. Jim recognized Don Stisher and Donna Kaufmann as the RHBAA employees.  Their goals for 2008 were to repair the barns and do something about the bathrooms.  Don recognized Ken Livingston as a Morgan County Commissioner that supports the RHBAA. RHBAA hosted 19 events in 2007 and now have 34 booked for 2008.  Don went over the events that the arena has already booked for 2008.  He discussed the renewal of barn contracts to take place after the general membership meeting.

MEMBERSHIP & PROMOTIONS: Sammie Tyra

Committee members: Judy Jones, Don Stisher, Tonya Parsons-Beavers, Brian Perkins, Nell Brown and Chris Walker.

Sammie Trya talked about members supporting Saturday night horse shows.  He stated the committee would be putting packets together to send to these shows and offering seats to the Celebration to be given away.  These shows would be promoted on the web site.  Sammie Tyra also talked about a contest to get more members.  They would be keeping a list of new members and who sponsors them.  At the Shelbyville Classic the RHBAA member that sponsors the most new members will receive a free box seat.  Also all RHBAA members who sponsors a new member will go into a drawing for a free page in “The Beat”.   Details will be posted on the web site.  We need all members to put a positive spin back on the breed.  The members are the ones who get out and can get old members back in along with new members.  Contest for a new RHBAA slogan deadline April 19th.  Winner will receive a page in “The Beat”, plague on wall of breeders’ office, recognition on the web site and World Celebration.

 TRAIL, FIELD & PLEASURE: Darlene Harris

Committee members: Tonya Parsons-Beavers (Board Rep), Michelle Dalton, Jimmy Lacy, Jim Morris, Debbie Morris, and Randy Siniard. One goal her committee has is to increase the Versatility program and get the program back on track.  Darlene stated she was looking into some old awards that were outstanding. Need to promote trail rides to help bring members back. 

 HORSE SHOW COMMITTEE: Judy Jones

Committee members: Kelly France (Board Rep), Carolyn Blaylock, Dewey Hannon, Nicole Rehkemper, Jamie Lawrence, Nell Brown, Dorothy Jones, Ross Campbell, Don Stisher, Donna Kaufmann, and Linda Townsend.

Thanked Barbara Johnston for her hard work on the shows during the past two years.  She stated they will need lots of volunteer to help.  Judy Jones talked about how she looks at the dollar figure. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Kelly France

Committee members: Ronnie Hooker (Board Rep), Keith Ailshie, Andy Roberts, Andrea Brewer and Nell Brown.  Ms. France stated this committee is open to any Members that would like to join.  Kelly France encouraged anyone who would like to be on the committee to contact her or the office.  She told the membership anytime they have something they would like to bring to this committee to feel free to do so. All members can voice their opinion and if you think it’s a matter that needs taking to the board such as a rule change or anything please do so.

JUDGES COMMITTEE: Howard Bellamy

Committee members: Ronnie Hooker (Board Rep), Jamie Lawrence, Mike Etheredge, Jerry Goodman and Danny Musick.

Howard Bellamy stated he was not a judge but had over 25 years of horse experience.  Goal is coming in with a positive attitude, help promote the little man and for the judge to do the right thing. Two members took the Judges Test and passed; Glenda Barrow and Dian Crawford.

BREEDERS’ COMMITTEE: Ronnie Hooker

Committee members: Keith Ailshie (Board Rep), Gerald Campbell, Paula Sensing, Billy Stricklend.

The Committee’s goal is to try and finalize the DNA. Ronnie stated he is working on a letter from TWHBA to KY Lab so that the RHBAA can use their database with KY lab. We have the RHBAA data base from Shelterwood Lab.  We still have blood samples that are still at Texas Lab.  We will work with anyone in the next year that needs to change over a horse to DNA on a one-on-one basis.  Commissioner meeting stressed everyone go out with a positive attitude and move forward.  Let’s get back to having fun when we come to the Celebrations.

RULES ENFORCEMENT: Eddie Barrow

Committee members: Keith Ailshie (Board Rep), Ed Hiers, Danny Musick, Jamie Lawrence, Gerald Campbell.

The committee’s goal is to work for everyone and treat everyone fairly and equal.  Committee is working to getting results done in a timely matter.  Anything the committee can do to help please contact.

EXHIBITOR STATUS COMMITTEE: Barbara Johnston

Committee members: Sammie Tyra (Board Rep), Barbara Agnich, Lance Meisenheimer, Debbie Morris and Betsy Thompson.

Barbara Johnston stated her committee goal is to establish a plan to ensure every exhibitor at every horse show has the appropriate show card.  The committee, with help from membership, will come up with a plan to make this happen. 

DQP COMMITTEE: Keith Ailshie

Committee members: Kelly France (Board Rep), Kenny Ailshie, Jerry Thacker and Anthony Sauceman.

Kelly France gave report for Keith Ailshie. Keith Ailshie stated that at the last DQP meeting it was reported that the government would be working East Tennessee this year.

Pleasure Association President: Danny Muisck

Amateur Association President: Ed Hiers

Futurity Association President: Gerald Campbell

Pro Trainers Association President: Jamie Lawrence

           
Jamie Lawrence reported that the Pro Trainers had set their show date as July 25 & 26 at the Celebration Arena.  They have put in a point system for Horse of the Year. He invited everyone to become an associate member before May 1, 2008, to be able to receive awards.  Jamie stated if anyone had any ideas or needed any help to please call him.

Old Business

None

New Business

            Membership election of 8 Judges

Keith Ailshie, Kelly France, Lance Meisenheimer, Ronnie Hooker, Billy Stricklend, Ross Campbell, Jerry Goodman, Andy Roberts.

 Drew from the hat names for the Spring Celebration 3 judges and Alternates.

                        Judges: Keith Ailshie, Lance Meisenheimer, Kelly France

                        Alternates:  Jerry Goodman, Ronnie Hooker, Billy Stricklend

Kelly France asked for input on the closing of the RHBAA books from the membership.  She stated that as of 2008 a horse cannot be over 10 years old to be commissioned registered.  Please give your commits on this matter to the Advisory Committee.

Motion to Adjourn was made by Judy Jones, 2nd Leslie Blaylock at 2:10 P.M

Respectfully Submitted,

Donna Kaufmann