RHBAA General Membership Meeting

February 19, 2005

            President Morrison called the meeting to order at 10:07 at the Holiday Inn in Decatur, Alabama.  Invocation was given by Wilburn Williams.  President Morrison was asked if a quorum was present.  A quorum of 114 eligible voters was present.  The membership will vote on judges for the Spring Celebration at this meeting.  The membership will vote for eight judges. 

            President Morrison stated that he thought we were all at the point in our industry where we were going to have to decide several things.  The first thing that we need to decide is that we are all interested in our breed and in seeing our breed progress.  The second thing is we need to make some hard decisions about some financial matters.  The board wants the membership’s participation. 

             President Morrison asked everyone if they have looked over the minutes from the last General Membership Meeting.  Mike Meisenheimer made the motion to approve the minutes.  Ricky Shackleford seconds the motion.  Minutes were approved and the motion carried.

            President Morrison asked Judy Jones to give the treasure’s report.  Ms. Jones stated that the association had $6,000.00 in the bank as of February 18, 2005.  She stated the association owes roughly $42,000.00.  the Board has worked hard to come up with a solution to our cash flow problem.  Ms Jones stated that the Board had worked hard to cut about $764,000.00 in expenses and the projected increase in income could be $799,000.00. 

 New Business:

            The Board has two ideas in relation to the solving of the cash flow problem.  Jim Roberts gave a proposal on the $500.00 note for members.  Members would be allowed to purchase a $500.00 note that would be redeemable in eight years at a four percent profit.  If $250,000.00 in membership notes could be raised the mortgage payment could be reduced from $9,400.00 to $6,266.00 and increase the cash flow by $37,608.00.  President Morrison stated the entire Board obligated themselves to the $500.00 blocks.  Each individual would be allowed to purchase only one of the $500.00 blocks.

The second idea was the sell of all property. 

Discussion followed this proposal with input such as selling all property that does not benefit the association and would this reduction in mortgage payments be only a temporary fix.  There was discussion on selling all property and maintaining a lifetime for the two shows and the use of office space.  President Morrison discussed the opening of a special account for the $250,000.00 to be applied to the note.  

There was also discussion on the lack of participation being the real cause of the problem.  President Morrison stated that with the opening of the registration books we do not have a breed any more.  We are a show association and we have lost the identity of what a racking horse is.  Registration and transfers are down every year.  A member stated that pressure shoeing was the cause of our problem.  Another member stated we needed to change the look of our horse.

A member stated that people were running down the pleasure horses.  It was stated that the pleasure horse people put more horses in the ring than anybody and they deserve to be judged like any other group.

President Morrison asked for a show of hand for those willing to put up the $500.00.  Around 44 members agreed to do so. 

A motion was made to sell sixty acres of land and members to be limited to $1,500.00 note purchases by any one member.  Tim Toler seconds this motion.  All in favor and the motion carried. 

 Old Business:

            Motions to be voted on:

1.      Change in Section 3.6: Each director shall serve until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified except in the event of the early termination of his term of office by reason of death, resignation, removal, or otherwise.  No person shall be eligible to be a director for more than two full consecutive terms, however a director may serve more than two non-consecutive terms.  All terms previously served including terms currently being served that were effective 1-1-2005 shall be considered in calculating these term limits.  Directors shall serve for terms of three years.

This motion was presented by Ed Hiers Chairman of Rules Enforcement Committee.  Leslie Blaylock seconds the motion.  The motion was carried by a vote of 73 Yes and 55 NO.

2.      Change in Section 20.1: These bylaws may be amended, in accordance with article 7.2 of the Articles of Incorporation of the RHBAA: however in order for an amendment to be considered or made by the members of the RHBAA, at the annual or a special meeting, it must be submitted to the secretary of the RHBAA in writing at lest 45 days prior to the membership meeting.  The secretary shall mail a copy of such proposed amendment to each member, along with a notice of the meeting or if a notice of the meeting is published in a newspaper as provided for herein, then such proposed amendment may likewise be published. (This is the 15 day notice changed to 45 day notice)

Katherine Huff seconds the motion.  The motion carried by a vote of 81 Yes and 47 No.

 3.      Add Section 11B.12.:  Amend the bylaws and rules to form a new division.  The division will be called Specialty Action Division and will be Section 11.B.12 with the following changes in the bylaws and rules dated January of 2003.

             Add under Article XXII.

Section 11B.12 Specialty Action Division

 (a)   Emphasis is not placed on this division; although the interest of the Racking Horse Membership has dictated the RHBAA have a division using an action device.  This division will be shown in pads and flat shod and meet the requirement of the HPA shoeing rules and regulations.  Action devices that are permitted by HPA to be used in this division.  This division will consist of TWO-YEAR-OLDS, THREE-YEAR-OLDS, FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND AGED HORSES.  The classes can be divided between Genders, Open Amateur and Youth and are required to execute the three gaits of the Racking Horse. (Exceptions; Youth 12 and under, Two-Year-Old and any combination with a Two-Year-Old horse in said class.  These will perform two gaits, the show walk and the slow rack).  Championship classes for this division will be limited to this division only and will be unable to show in any other Championship class.

(b)   Tack, dress and showmanship to be the same as in section 11.12, Open Division.

(c)   Judging Specifications to be the same as specified in Article XII Sectiom12.1 (a) thru (k).

(d)   Any horse with a punching gait or excessive head nod will be excused.

(e)   There will be no pleasure classes in this division.

 The Specialty Action Horse shall enter the ring at a show walk, prior to the initial judging of the class.

 Change rule Article VIII Section 8.4 to read;

 Horse competing in the racking classes in shows affiliated/ sanction by the RHBAA must be duly registered with the RHBAA (exception: Lead Line Ponies) and must be entered under their full registered names and current registered owner’s name.  Racking Horse in the Specialty Action Division may be shown with an action device that is in compliance with the HPA Act. Racking Horses in all other division may not be exhibited with tail braces, boots, chains or any other apparatus that would restrict their natural movement.

 1.      RHBAA registered horse showing in the Specialty Action Division shall not change to any other division of the RHBAA except once a year and before July 1^st of that year.  The Specialty Action Division classes do not qualify for the World Grand Championship Classes.

 2.      A affiliated/sanction show by the RHBAA not having a Specialty Action Class would let a Specialty Horse show but not with a action device and this would not count as a change to other division.

 Change rule Article XVII section 17.1 (v) add:

 RHBAA horses showing in the Specialty Action Classes permitted to use an action device that is in compliance with HPA.  Any action device used other than the ones permitted by the HPA will be a violation of the rules.  Any other division of Racking using any artificial substance or mechanical device, including, without limitation, chains, trotting balls and action devices, in showing a Racking Horse in any racking class in any show regardless of whether such show is affiliated/sanctioned by the Racking Horse Breeders’ Association of America or on the show grounds of the RHBAA, or at any public area (such as warm-up area, staging area, etc) at any RHBAA sanctioned show, or treating a Racking Horse in an inhumane fashion on any show grounds.

 Change to Read;

 Section 12.4 FALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:

 Any horse which has shown in a previous class, except for Pleasure and Specialty Action Classes, is eligible to show in the World Grand Championship.  In other Championships at the Fall Celebration, in order to show in a Championship restricted by age of the rider or horse, size of the horse, or status of the rider, the horse must have qualified in a previous class so restricted.

 This motion was requested by Larry Taylor and Robert Dabbs. Raymond Riles seconds the motion.  Motion carried 67 Yes 58 No.

 Oscar House made a motion to do away with the committee reports.  Leslie Blaylock seconds the motion.  Motion failed on a show of hands vote.

President Morrison called for the committee reports:

A.     Rules Enforcement Committee-Ed Hiers Chairman      

Members:  Bob Gullic
                        Leslie Blaylock
                        Paula Sensing
                        Charlie Brown
                        Alice Haun

            No cases pending at this time.

B.   Trail Field & Pleasure Committee-Randy Siniard Chairman

In 2004 we had 22 Youth Books and 50 Adult Books turned in.  The numbers were up 15 percent.  We had four Youth High Point Awards, four Adult High Point Awards, five Versatility Champions, and one Superior Champion.  Our budget was $2,500.00 in 2004 and we spent $2,340.92.  we were under budget $159.08. 

 C.  Advisory Committee - Bob Gullic Chairman

Members: Jimmy Lacy, Board Rep and secretary

             Jim Roberts
            Charlie Brown
            Leslie Blaylock
            Cindy Bryant
            Gina Bunker
            Sandra Clark
            Shannon Cotter
            Mike Etheredge
            Gene Frye
            Alice Haun
            Ed Hiers
            Billy Howard
            Ken Jackson
            J. Fred Johnston
            Dorothy Jones
            Jody Livingston
            Jim Morris
            Danny Musick
            Joel Nipper
            Adrian Rehkemper
            Raymond Riles
            Becky Siniard
            Margie Smith
            Larry Street
            Designated Member from Ladies Auxiliary, if not already listed.
            Designated Member from Pro Trainers, if not already listed
            Designated Member from Juvenile Auxiliary, if not already listed
            Designated Member from Amateur Assoc., if not already listed.
            Designated Member from Pleasure Assoc., if not already listed
            Designated Member from Futurity, if not already listed.

Bob Gullic discussed duties of the Advisory Committee such as rule changes and recommendations by the membership that should be taken to the Board.  Nothing to report at this time.

D.     Breeders’ Committee-Elane Berry –Chairman

Members: Shannon Cotter-Co-Chairman
                 Joan Kemp
                Jeannie Roberts
                Paula Sensing
                Bill Bennett
                Jerrie Thomsen

Elane Berry discussed the Industry Growth Plan.  This is the plan voted on and approved by the Board to begin the closing of the books for registration.  This plan will take affect in 2006.

E.      DQP Committee-Kenny Ailshie

Members: Ross Campbell
                Darlene Harris
                Judy Jones
                Keith Ailshie
            Jamie Lawrence

            Nothing to report.
F.      Exhibitors Status Committee-Jim Morris-Chairman

Members: Alice Haun
                Bob Gullic
                Ross Campbell
                Darlene Harris
                Michael Wright                               

            Nothing to report.

G.     Horse Show  Committee-Oscar House-Chairman

Members: Wilburn Williams-Vice Chairman
                Alice Haun
                Annette Morrison
                Sammy Tyra
                Barbara Fitch
                Jamie Lawrence
                Leanne Musick

The center ring will stay the same as last year.  We will have no radio or TV advertising.  Leanne Musick will contact different associations to provide food for the center ring.  For the Spring show we eliminated the Trail Obstacle class.  We combined the Model Pleasure Stallions and Geldings and Model Pleasure Mares.   We also combined Yearling Mares and Yearling Stallions.

  H.     Judges Committee-Larry Street-Chairman

Members: Jeanne Key
                Mike Meisenheimer
                Ronnie Hooker
                Keith Ailshie
                Sammy Tyra
                Mary Alice Bohannon

Committee discussed that the judges should tie horses that hold the racking horse image.  Horses that are off should be penalized.  Horses that do not present themselves equally both ways of the ring should be penalized.  Pleasure horses should be tied in compliance with what the rule book calls for in that division.

  I.        Personnel & Property Committee-Clyde Creech-Chairman

Members: Jody Livingston-Vice Chairman
                Barney Porter
                Jerry Thacker
                Jerome Zahnd. (advisory capacity only)
                Charles McClain

Committee discussed the budget and that Judy Jones had gone over the expenses that were lowered.  This was her presentation that had been approved by the board.

 J.       Promotions & Membership Committee-Jeanne Key-Chairman

Members: Shannon Cotter
                Marilyn Meisenheimer
                Nicole Rehkemper
                Darlene Harris
                Beverly Burks
                Nell Brown

Chairman Jeanne Key discussed the RHBAA web site.  This web site will be run by Nell Brown and Shannon Cotter will be working with her.  The web site will try to take on a more personal look.  Ideas for the web site, news letters, developing a directory again, activities at the Celebration, and trying to get the juveniles more involved were also discussed.

President Morrison told the membership about the letter received from Gene Frye of his resignation from the Board.  There will have to be an election for the North Carolina director’s position. 

A member asked the Board to consider the revision of affiliation fees.  The main purpose being “what does a show get by being affiliated with the RHBAA”.

Barney Porter made a motion for the meeting to be adjourned.  Leslie Blaylock seconds the motion.  Meeting adjourned.