RHBAA General Membership Meeting Minutes

February 15, 2003

 

President House called the meeting to order at 10:05am.

Mr. James Morrison gave the invocation.

President House opened the meeting with a heartfelt welcome to all in attendance.  He reminded the membership that 2003 was a new year and that all of us have a common goal, the love of the Racking Horse and its people.  He asks that we all work together to make 2003 the best year ever.  At this time he introduced the RHBAA executive director, Mrs. Melisa Taylor.  Mrs. Taylor welcomed all in attendance and wished all a very successful year.  She then introduced her staff with a brief description of each of their jobs and duties.  She expressed her appreciation for the support of her staff, the board of directors, the executive board, and most of all the support of the general membership.  She wants each member to play a major role in making 2003 a great and productive year.

President House then asks for the minutes of the last meeting.  Mr. Clyde Creech made a motion to forego the reading of the last minutes due to the minutes being posted on the internet and printed in the paper.  Mr. Gene Frye 2^nd the motion and the motion carried.

President House then called for the treasurer report.  In Mr. Mullins absence Mrs. Taylor gave the treasury report (see attach. #1).  Mr. Morrison made a motion to accept the report, Mr. Jacobs 2^nd and the motion carried.

President House then called for the Membership and Promotions report.

Mr. Jacobs reported that a lot of new things were going on for the year 2003.  He gave a brief outline of the things his committee requested,

A) a $10.00 increase on membership dues.

b) a $10.00 fee for juveniles in order to start a scholarship fund that will be matched by the RHBAA in the total amount of $1000.00.

c) that the first 10 new shows to affiliate be given $1000.00

d) that $2000.00 be budgeted for the travel expenses of the current World Champion.

Mr. Jacobs then gave a brief description of some of the other projects underway,

a) Channel 56, in Decatur, has agreed to a 30 minute program on RHBAA once a month.  The tape from this program will be property of RHBAA so that it may be used for promotions such as RFD TV.

b) a book of World Grand Champions is in the works by Mrs. Sensing.

c) Turner Publishing out of Kentucky wants to do a book on the Racking Horse industry with no cost to the RHBAA.  We will receive 5% of the total sales.  

Mr. Jacobs informed everyone about the one exhibit that has already taken place this year and what a huge success it was.

Mr. Jacobs said, “as you can see we are off to a good start this year and with the support of all our members we can make 2003 a successful year.”  At this time he introduced Mr. Brian Perkins from the new magazine, The Racking Horse Image.  Mr. Perkins thanked the members for allowing him to be at the meeting and explained a little about his new venture.  He explained that himself and Mrs. King, his partner, is going to be strictly a publication supporting the RHBAA.  Mr. Perkins informed the membership that at this time there is a mail out list of approximately 500 and hopes that the numbers will increase over the weekend.  He plans to visit as many of the shows as possible to best represent the breed and asked for the full support of the general membership.  He expressed his enthusiasm on the new endeavor and hopes to do a good job for the breed and its people. 

Mr. Jacobs then asked Mr. Mark Farrer, from The Racking Review, to speak.  Mr. Farrer explained that a cash flow problem had prohibited him from publishing the paper for the past several issues.  He then explained how the cash problem had been eliminated and assured the general membership that the next issue would be on time.  Mr. Farrer expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming year and his concern for the RHBAA.  He wished everyone a very successful 2003 season.

Mr. Jacobs asks Mr. Farrer about the directory that the Racking Review used to distribute.  Mr. Farrer said it would be out in the next issue.  

President House ask for the Rules Enforcement Committee report.  Mr. Gullic in Mr. Hiers absense says they are a few things pending and that they are working on a plan to inform the general membership of what is going on with the rules enforcement.

President House asks for the Trail, Field, and Pleasure report.  Mr. Siniard reported that the versatility program had doubled.  He explained the points and how they were kept.  He also told the membership about what would be won as the points were accumulated.  Mr. Siniard said they were working on versatility champion pictures being hung in the Breeders’ office.  The plans in 2004 are to have a versatility show, as well as let the points from the Celebration fun show be counted so as to eliminate the hardship of getting some of these points.  At this time Mr. Siniard asks permission from President House to give an award that should have been presented at the awards banquet later that night, but due to so many people leaving because of inclement weather, Mr. Siniard wanted to go ahead with one particular award presentation. President House agreed.  Mr. Siniard presented a well deserving plaque to the adult ambassador of the pleasure Racking Horse, Mrs. Margie Smith from Maryland.    

President House then ask for the Advisory Committee report.  Mr. Frye said his committee was made up of representatives from each state with some states having more than one member.  He explained that his committee was designed to hear the ideas and suggestions from the general membership and take these ideas to the board of directors for approval or disapproval.  Mr. Frye urges all members to take their suggestions to a committee member for it to be taken in front of the board for discussion.

President House then called on Mrs. Berry for the Breeders’ Report.

Mrs. Berry says the foal registrations are up 20% form last year.  In 2001 we had 877 registered foals and in 2002 we had 1024 foals registered.  Mrs. Berry says the commissioned registered horses are also up about 10%.  She urged all to watch the paper work sent to the office and reminded the general membership that it must be filled out properly and in a timely manner.  Mrs. Berry and her committee are looking into a proposal for closing the books in the near future.

President House then ask for the DQP report.  Mr. Street introduced his committee members and informed the members that he had looked into a possibility of having our own DQP program, which he will be looking into more in the future.  Mr. Street told the general membership of the presentation that Mr. Messick had given to the board on Friday and explained the contract that RHBAA has had with the NHSC over the past three years.  Mr. Street said that Mr. Messick is looking forward to working with RHBAA in the future.

President House then ask for the Exhibitor Status report.  Mr. Morris says to date we have issued 550 exhibitor status cards.  Last year about 1710 cards were issued and he reminded the general membership that the applications are just now really starting to come in, therefore he feels that the numbers will exceed last year’s total count.  Mr. Morris says if he can be of any help to anyone please feel free to call on him.

President House then ask for the Show Committee report.  Mr. Morrison stated that the model class at the 2002 World Celebration had been tied incorrectly and the proper people had been notified.  Mr. Morrison gave us a brief outline of what is ongoing on with his committee. 

1. The show committee has added another youth class

 2. A youth speed class has been added

3. A juvenile auxiliary class has been added

4. Deleted the championship circle trail pleasure championship

5. All geldings have been deleted and are now in with the mares

6. A new rule for golf carts and four wheelers or any other motorized vehicle has been put into effect, it is as follows, no riding of these vehicles unless you have a valid driver license or by a permit only.  There are NO exceptions to this rule.

President House then ask for the Judges report.  Mr. Thacker gave a big thank you to the pleasure division for their part in the judges clinics last year, as it was a big help to the judge to look and discuss what the rule book stated.  This year the same procedures will be followed with the performance horses and we are looking forward to a successful year with the clinics being held on Friday of the Spring Celebration and on Thursday of the Fall Celebration. Mr. Thacker says these clinics are open to the public and welcomes’ anyone to come.  Mr. Thacker says we have seven new apprentices in the program for the year 2003 and are currently taking applications for the year 2004.