Sheri Stutts
Active Member
To all Miniature Horse Enthusiasts,
In our country's current economic situation, it is imperative to always look for alternative ways to expand membership and participation within the Miniature Horse Industry. We are a fact finding committee that AMHA has set forth to explore an interesting new concept that could be beneficial to all Miniature owners and breeders. We ask everyone to keep an open mind and think about what we are proposing. This concept reverts back to basics and will give breeders, owners and trainers a well needed option and also add value to a large number of horses.
As it is now in the AMHA, our standard of perfection is almost verbatim of the Arabian association. Not saying that is bad, but it has totally eliminated a great percentage of our breed . A huge majority of our breed does not fit this standard and literally have little to no value. I guess the question that has to be asked is," When did we decide that the AMHA was going to be the Miniature Arabian association". I know that there are a lot of people that like this type of horse, but there are just as many or more that like the slightly heavier type as well. We are not talking about a draft type horse, but about a modern type horse that maybe a little heavier boned, with a more rounded hip and a slightly lower tail set. Buy slanting our breed toward the Arabian type, we have alienated a large number of our members because they do not own, raise or show this Arabian type of Miniature horse. These members, who could well be a majority, have no where to go with their horses and have either stopped participating or got out of the business. There are even those that like the heavier type horse that were forced to change due to the strong Arab influence in our show ring. We all have the right to like what ever type of horse that you want to own and breed. As it is now, the minority is benefitting by having shows which is a very important marketing tool and the majority is left out.
The goal is to set up a new division or separate entity within the AMHA. This division or entity will be structured to give this modern stock type horse a platform to return to the show ring.
Lets say that at the beginning of each year, all show horses have the option to declare in which division that they will be shown. Once declared, that horse must be shown for the entire year in that division and cannot cross over. However, it may go to the other division once the current year has expired. For example, A weanling may do very well in the current show ring this year, but as it matures as a yearling or two year old, it gets a little heavier, it could be declared to show in the new division. Instead of it’s show career being over, it may be the next World Champion in the stock type division and regain it’s value.
The shows will not be held in conjunction with each other. The current type of shows will hire Arabian, Saddle-bred, Morgan judges. The new division will hire Quarter horse, paint, pinto, Appaloosa or other stock type carded judges. This may also help when it comes to adding consistency in our judging programs. Lets face it, an Arab judge and a Quarter horse judge usually are not going to pick the same type of horse. AMHA judges, like all other breed judges are instructed to judge by the standard of perfection. This accentuates the difference and adds to the problem we have today. We all have our preference when it comes to horses and we like what we like. We are trying to create an equal playing field for both types of horses and the members.
The goal here is to create a market and add value to a large portion of our breed. There has always been talk about adding a "B" division for the bigger horse in the AMHA. It may be more beneficial to utilize and help the legitimate ones that we already have. I don’t care how good your breeding program is, we are always going to have those horses that are just a little heavier than what is in demand now. Why not give these horses a venue to compete with their owners who like this style of horse.
There are several positive aspects that should be considered.
1. Generate membership for the association
2. Bring more participation to local shows
3. Adds more opportunity to show
4. Increases the marketability of AMHA horses
5. Gives breeders a choice in direction for programs
6. Trainers can have 2 separate show strings
7. Show managers can produce more shows
The committee is asking for you the members to voice your opinion about this subject. We want to know how many people would be interested and how it would benefit the members and the association. There are many more details that would have to be worked out and addressed, but we have to start with the basics. We thank you for taking time to read this proposal and encourage any and all feed back.
Thank You
AMHA Foundation Committee
Ed Sisk Chairman
In our country's current economic situation, it is imperative to always look for alternative ways to expand membership and participation within the Miniature Horse Industry. We are a fact finding committee that AMHA has set forth to explore an interesting new concept that could be beneficial to all Miniature owners and breeders. We ask everyone to keep an open mind and think about what we are proposing. This concept reverts back to basics and will give breeders, owners and trainers a well needed option and also add value to a large number of horses.
As it is now in the AMHA, our standard of perfection is almost verbatim of the Arabian association. Not saying that is bad, but it has totally eliminated a great percentage of our breed . A huge majority of our breed does not fit this standard and literally have little to no value. I guess the question that has to be asked is," When did we decide that the AMHA was going to be the Miniature Arabian association". I know that there are a lot of people that like this type of horse, but there are just as many or more that like the slightly heavier type as well. We are not talking about a draft type horse, but about a modern type horse that maybe a little heavier boned, with a more rounded hip and a slightly lower tail set. Buy slanting our breed toward the Arabian type, we have alienated a large number of our members because they do not own, raise or show this Arabian type of Miniature horse. These members, who could well be a majority, have no where to go with their horses and have either stopped participating or got out of the business. There are even those that like the heavier type horse that were forced to change due to the strong Arab influence in our show ring. We all have the right to like what ever type of horse that you want to own and breed. As it is now, the minority is benefitting by having shows which is a very important marketing tool and the majority is left out.
The goal is to set up a new division or separate entity within the AMHA. This division or entity will be structured to give this modern stock type horse a platform to return to the show ring.
Lets say that at the beginning of each year, all show horses have the option to declare in which division that they will be shown. Once declared, that horse must be shown for the entire year in that division and cannot cross over. However, it may go to the other division once the current year has expired. For example, A weanling may do very well in the current show ring this year, but as it matures as a yearling or two year old, it gets a little heavier, it could be declared to show in the new division. Instead of it’s show career being over, it may be the next World Champion in the stock type division and regain it’s value.
The shows will not be held in conjunction with each other. The current type of shows will hire Arabian, Saddle-bred, Morgan judges. The new division will hire Quarter horse, paint, pinto, Appaloosa or other stock type carded judges. This may also help when it comes to adding consistency in our judging programs. Lets face it, an Arab judge and a Quarter horse judge usually are not going to pick the same type of horse. AMHA judges, like all other breed judges are instructed to judge by the standard of perfection. This accentuates the difference and adds to the problem we have today. We all have our preference when it comes to horses and we like what we like. We are trying to create an equal playing field for both types of horses and the members.
The goal here is to create a market and add value to a large portion of our breed. There has always been talk about adding a "B" division for the bigger horse in the AMHA. It may be more beneficial to utilize and help the legitimate ones that we already have. I don’t care how good your breeding program is, we are always going to have those horses that are just a little heavier than what is in demand now. Why not give these horses a venue to compete with their owners who like this style of horse.
There are several positive aspects that should be considered.
1. Generate membership for the association
2. Bring more participation to local shows
3. Adds more opportunity to show
4. Increases the marketability of AMHA horses
5. Gives breeders a choice in direction for programs
6. Trainers can have 2 separate show strings
7. Show managers can produce more shows
The committee is asking for you the members to voice your opinion about this subject. We want to know how many people would be interested and how it would benefit the members and the association. There are many more details that would have to be worked out and addressed, but we have to start with the basics. We thank you for taking time to read this proposal and encourage any and all feed back.
Thank You
AMHA Foundation Committee
Ed Sisk Chairman
