Mona
Well-Known Member
Dear AMHA members,
I hope you have all read the minutes from the June 13-14, 2008, Board of Directors meeting posted on the amha.org website. If not, please do so. The directors present at this meeting voted to pass a POLICY to allow a 1/4 inch legal height limit for horses that have their height protested at shows.
The following is taken from the minutes:
GR-050 Protest Rule Procedures
The following Protest Rule Procedures are recommended by the GR-050 Protest Committee:
Introduction: In November of 2007 the AMHA Board of Directors established a committee to review and rewrite a new height protest rule to be presented to the membership at the 2008 Annual Convention. The Board of Directors, in November 2007, voted to overturn th wording of the GR-050-C Protest Concerning height, which was passed by the membership at the 2007 Annual convention. The GR-050-C Protest Committee and the Show Rules Committee presented the revised wording of the Gr-050-C to the membership, at the 2008 Convention. The Membership voted to approve and implement immediately the new wording of the height protest rule, GR-050-C, Protest Concerning Height.
The AMHA Board of Directors approved the procedures to be used for the consistent implementation of GR-050-C Protest Concerning height.
GR-050-C Protest Concerning height: The measurement of a horse may be protested at any time prior to the end of the show so long as the horse is present on the show grounds. The protest must be made in writing accompanied by a $100 deposit.
Implementation Procedure: A protest committee will be employed and follow all the procedures directed and required for protest measurements in Gr-050.
Additional Procedures: The GR-050-C and Show Rules Committee recognize these procedures may create a tense atmosphere during the protest measuring process effecting accurate measurement of a horse. These committees recommended to the AMHA Board of Directors a policy which allows the protest measurement to be one quarter (1/4) of an inch over height qualification for the protest measurement only. The AMHA Board of Directors unanimously approved this policy. Example Horse ‘A’ is protested as being too tall in a 30 to 32 class. It’s original measurement was 31 3/4. The horse measures 32 1/4 by a protest measuring team. It meets the allowance authorized under the protest rule. It is therefore a legal horse at that show. (The one quarter inch allowance is to be applied to all height categories.)
All points, placings, awards will be relinquished by any horse who fails to meet height requirements under protest for that show only.
If the measurement is within legal height limits for the AMHA, but out of class height constraints, only the awards pertaining to effected height classes will be relinquished. Example: Horse ‘B’ was exhibited in a 30 to 32 inch Senior Halter Class. Horse ‘B’ measures 32 3/4 inches. Horse ‘B’ forfeits the Grand Champion award along with the 30 to 32 inch halter class placings, but may keep any award that is not height related, such as youth halter, halter obstacle, color, etc. (The horse must forfeit the Championship Award, as a result of disqualification from the original height class.)
If the horse measures above AMHA height requirements at its respective age it then loses ALL awards, points, and placings for that show.
The Board discussed the above procedures and emphasized that these procedures are for Protest Measurements Only, not initial measurements. Clair Severson made a motion to accept. Tom Roberts seconded. Voting Yes: Ben Benjamin, Jim Congleton, Larry Elniff, Nancy Grizzaffi, Jody Hoch, Sid Hutchcraft. Frank Lupton, Glen Matthews, Dave Miller, Jana Nichols, Mark O’Neal, Kathy Porter, Toni Reece, Tom Roberts, Clair Severson, Mike Want, Mark Wilson. Voting No: Tom O’Connell, Libby Rosen, Joanne Ross. Passed
The directors that voted to pass this policy have voted to ignore the foundation, history and the requirements that an American Miniature Horse must meet to be registered with AMHA during the last 30 years. That is, as described in the Foreword statement on the first page of the rule book, “As defined by AMHA, any horse that exceeds thirty-four (34) inches in height is NOT a Miniature Horse and is not eligible for registration.”
The directors voted to ignore the guidelines that all horses must by judged by:
The American Miniature Horse Standard of Perfection which states:
“Size: Must not measure more than 34 inches at the base of the last hairs of the mane.”
The directors voted to ignore show rule GR0-10 A. “All AMHA Shows are open to any horses registered with AMHA whose exhibitor is able to prove valid registration.” The directors votes also violates the AMHA Articles of Incorporation, several bylaws, rules and regulations, and show rules. Most of all the honesty and integrity of the AMHA is “trashed.”
First the members must ask why the parliamentarian allow this motion to be voted on? Roberts Rules of Order does not allow any rule or policy to be entertained that is in conflict with our bylaws. Surely she knows that. Why do we pay the parliamentarian to attend our meetings and not advise the Board against such things?
What is wrong with this policy?
1. The directors vote to give an allowance of 1/4 inch to a measurement protest that cheats every horse and exhibitor in the show, as well as every member of AMHA. Horses can not be shown if they are not AMHA registered, and horses over 34 inches don’t meet the requirements to be AMHA registered.
2. The example given in Horse ‘B’ allows this horse to be ½ inch over the new policy approval of 1/4 inch over the required height, and 3/4 inch over the maximum height for an AMHA registered horse. This horse can compete in every class in the show except the height classes, but it cannot be registered in AMHA because it is over the height requirement.
3. Is it fair for a horse that is 34 3/4 inches to compete in Hunter and Jumper classes with honest horses that are under 34 inches?
4. AMHA has been measuring height protests for 30 years, as long as they have had shows, and just now the current directors have decided that “the procedure may create a tense atmosphere during the protest measuring process effecting accurate measurement of a horse.”
5. Show horses are supposed to be trained for the show ring. They are trained to stand still in one position for several minutes. They must be trained to be measured, and they must measure under 34 inches at the base of the last hairs of the mane or they do not meet the requirements to be AMHA registered or shown in AMHA shows. That is the way the membership wants the rule, that is the current rule, and the directors should not overturn the memberships decisions. It is the responsibility of the directors, and especially the presidents to enforce the rules. The rules are that if at anytime it is determined that a horse exceeds 34 inches in height it’s papers will be revoked.
6. The people that measure horses at the shows are supposed to be trained to measure correctly according to the rule book. That includes exact initial and protest measurements. If the protested horses are given an allowance of 1/4 to ½ inch over 34 inches this year, what will the directors vote to allow next year?
7. Is it fair to give a height allowance to the show horses and not to all horses registered in AMHA? This new policy will destroy any hope of integrity in the honest size of the AMHA horse in the future. As President Want stated in his June 11, 2008, answers to one of our questions. “Integrity? That is what started this stuff. If the darn trainers and breeders had integrity, the Association would not need to change measuring or its protest rules.” However, the minutes report that he voted Yes, for this new policy of allowing a protested horse to be1/4 inch to 1/2 over the 34 inch height that would be a disqualification and still show in shows, keep all awards won except height awards, and remain registered with AMHA.
8. In answer to our question, “Will horses that are hardshipped measuring 34 inches or less after the base of the withers bylaw is implemented be remeasured at the top of the withers should that amendment pass next year. Will their hardshipped fees be refunded, and their registration certificates be revoked, if they measure over 34 inches tall. President Want answered, “everyone could position for their money back as this is no longer the same registry they joined.” With the passing of the new policy, this is certainly NOT the same registry we all joined.
When a person becomes a member of AMHA, they must agree to abide by all the associations rules, and when a person enters their horses in an AMHA show, they must agree to abide by all the show rules. The directors have prevented this from being possible.
Please all AMHA members, read these minutes, understand what the directors have done to the integrity of our Association and the honesty of our horse shows. Please write to your directors and insist that this new policy be rescinded. Don’t stop until you get answers. AMHA’s future depends on it.
C.A.R.E.
Concerned Advocates For Rule Enforcement
I hope you have all read the minutes from the June 13-14, 2008, Board of Directors meeting posted on the amha.org website. If not, please do so. The directors present at this meeting voted to pass a POLICY to allow a 1/4 inch legal height limit for horses that have their height protested at shows.
The following is taken from the minutes:
GR-050 Protest Rule Procedures
The following Protest Rule Procedures are recommended by the GR-050 Protest Committee:
Introduction: In November of 2007 the AMHA Board of Directors established a committee to review and rewrite a new height protest rule to be presented to the membership at the 2008 Annual Convention. The Board of Directors, in November 2007, voted to overturn th wording of the GR-050-C Protest Concerning height, which was passed by the membership at the 2007 Annual convention. The GR-050-C Protest Committee and the Show Rules Committee presented the revised wording of the Gr-050-C to the membership, at the 2008 Convention. The Membership voted to approve and implement immediately the new wording of the height protest rule, GR-050-C, Protest Concerning Height.
The AMHA Board of Directors approved the procedures to be used for the consistent implementation of GR-050-C Protest Concerning height.
GR-050-C Protest Concerning height: The measurement of a horse may be protested at any time prior to the end of the show so long as the horse is present on the show grounds. The protest must be made in writing accompanied by a $100 deposit.
Implementation Procedure: A protest committee will be employed and follow all the procedures directed and required for protest measurements in Gr-050.
Additional Procedures: The GR-050-C and Show Rules Committee recognize these procedures may create a tense atmosphere during the protest measuring process effecting accurate measurement of a horse. These committees recommended to the AMHA Board of Directors a policy which allows the protest measurement to be one quarter (1/4) of an inch over height qualification for the protest measurement only. The AMHA Board of Directors unanimously approved this policy. Example Horse ‘A’ is protested as being too tall in a 30 to 32 class. It’s original measurement was 31 3/4. The horse measures 32 1/4 by a protest measuring team. It meets the allowance authorized under the protest rule. It is therefore a legal horse at that show. (The one quarter inch allowance is to be applied to all height categories.)
All points, placings, awards will be relinquished by any horse who fails to meet height requirements under protest for that show only.
If the measurement is within legal height limits for the AMHA, but out of class height constraints, only the awards pertaining to effected height classes will be relinquished. Example: Horse ‘B’ was exhibited in a 30 to 32 inch Senior Halter Class. Horse ‘B’ measures 32 3/4 inches. Horse ‘B’ forfeits the Grand Champion award along with the 30 to 32 inch halter class placings, but may keep any award that is not height related, such as youth halter, halter obstacle, color, etc. (The horse must forfeit the Championship Award, as a result of disqualification from the original height class.)
If the horse measures above AMHA height requirements at its respective age it then loses ALL awards, points, and placings for that show.
The Board discussed the above procedures and emphasized that these procedures are for Protest Measurements Only, not initial measurements. Clair Severson made a motion to accept. Tom Roberts seconded. Voting Yes: Ben Benjamin, Jim Congleton, Larry Elniff, Nancy Grizzaffi, Jody Hoch, Sid Hutchcraft. Frank Lupton, Glen Matthews, Dave Miller, Jana Nichols, Mark O’Neal, Kathy Porter, Toni Reece, Tom Roberts, Clair Severson, Mike Want, Mark Wilson. Voting No: Tom O’Connell, Libby Rosen, Joanne Ross. Passed
The directors that voted to pass this policy have voted to ignore the foundation, history and the requirements that an American Miniature Horse must meet to be registered with AMHA during the last 30 years. That is, as described in the Foreword statement on the first page of the rule book, “As defined by AMHA, any horse that exceeds thirty-four (34) inches in height is NOT a Miniature Horse and is not eligible for registration.”
The directors voted to ignore the guidelines that all horses must by judged by:
The American Miniature Horse Standard of Perfection which states:
“Size: Must not measure more than 34 inches at the base of the last hairs of the mane.”
The directors voted to ignore show rule GR0-10 A. “All AMHA Shows are open to any horses registered with AMHA whose exhibitor is able to prove valid registration.” The directors votes also violates the AMHA Articles of Incorporation, several bylaws, rules and regulations, and show rules. Most of all the honesty and integrity of the AMHA is “trashed.”
First the members must ask why the parliamentarian allow this motion to be voted on? Roberts Rules of Order does not allow any rule or policy to be entertained that is in conflict with our bylaws. Surely she knows that. Why do we pay the parliamentarian to attend our meetings and not advise the Board against such things?
What is wrong with this policy?
1. The directors vote to give an allowance of 1/4 inch to a measurement protest that cheats every horse and exhibitor in the show, as well as every member of AMHA. Horses can not be shown if they are not AMHA registered, and horses over 34 inches don’t meet the requirements to be AMHA registered.
2. The example given in Horse ‘B’ allows this horse to be ½ inch over the new policy approval of 1/4 inch over the required height, and 3/4 inch over the maximum height for an AMHA registered horse. This horse can compete in every class in the show except the height classes, but it cannot be registered in AMHA because it is over the height requirement.
3. Is it fair for a horse that is 34 3/4 inches to compete in Hunter and Jumper classes with honest horses that are under 34 inches?
4. AMHA has been measuring height protests for 30 years, as long as they have had shows, and just now the current directors have decided that “the procedure may create a tense atmosphere during the protest measuring process effecting accurate measurement of a horse.”
5. Show horses are supposed to be trained for the show ring. They are trained to stand still in one position for several minutes. They must be trained to be measured, and they must measure under 34 inches at the base of the last hairs of the mane or they do not meet the requirements to be AMHA registered or shown in AMHA shows. That is the way the membership wants the rule, that is the current rule, and the directors should not overturn the memberships decisions. It is the responsibility of the directors, and especially the presidents to enforce the rules. The rules are that if at anytime it is determined that a horse exceeds 34 inches in height it’s papers will be revoked.
6. The people that measure horses at the shows are supposed to be trained to measure correctly according to the rule book. That includes exact initial and protest measurements. If the protested horses are given an allowance of 1/4 to ½ inch over 34 inches this year, what will the directors vote to allow next year?
7. Is it fair to give a height allowance to the show horses and not to all horses registered in AMHA? This new policy will destroy any hope of integrity in the honest size of the AMHA horse in the future. As President Want stated in his June 11, 2008, answers to one of our questions. “Integrity? That is what started this stuff. If the darn trainers and breeders had integrity, the Association would not need to change measuring or its protest rules.” However, the minutes report that he voted Yes, for this new policy of allowing a protested horse to be1/4 inch to 1/2 over the 34 inch height that would be a disqualification and still show in shows, keep all awards won except height awards, and remain registered with AMHA.
8. In answer to our question, “Will horses that are hardshipped measuring 34 inches or less after the base of the withers bylaw is implemented be remeasured at the top of the withers should that amendment pass next year. Will their hardshipped fees be refunded, and their registration certificates be revoked, if they measure over 34 inches tall. President Want answered, “everyone could position for their money back as this is no longer the same registry they joined.” With the passing of the new policy, this is certainly NOT the same registry we all joined.
When a person becomes a member of AMHA, they must agree to abide by all the associations rules, and when a person enters their horses in an AMHA show, they must agree to abide by all the show rules. The directors have prevented this from being possible.
Please all AMHA members, read these minutes, understand what the directors have done to the integrity of our Association and the honesty of our horse shows. Please write to your directors and insist that this new policy be rescinded. Don’t stop until you get answers. AMHA’s future depends on it.
C.A.R.E.
Concerned Advocates For Rule Enforcement