The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association General Membership meeting was held on Saturday, December 1, 2001 at the Association headquarters in Lewisburg, Tennessee. The beautiful meeting facility attracted members and directors from across the U.S. as well as several foreign countries.
Saturday was the culmination of the previous two days of meetings of the general membership committees. The outgoing Executive Board and attending members met to conduct the business at hand.
President, Jim Welch called the meeting to order just after 9:00 a.m. and welcomed the group as he brought Bob Cherry, Executive Director TWHBEA to the podium to deliver the first speech of the morning. Following Mr. Cherry’s report, each executive member reported on their committee’s accomplishments for 2001. The agenda was then routinely approved as well as the last year’s minutes. Both motions carried.
Cherry reported that it was a very good year for the registry and transfers, membership drives, organizations and activities. Financially, the TWHBEA had a good year: $110,000 had been paid on the building debt, IPed’s was available to the membership and they added to capital costs - equipment and square footage.
Cherry announced that the national board had been asked to approve a $4.1 million dollar budget for this year, the executive committee having unanimously approved the same at the October 29, 2001 meeting.
Cherry reported that the plans to merge the TWHBEA and the Trainers Association had been given to an ad hoc committee; they delivered no recommendation on the motion and therefore the Executive Committee did not act on the same. He stressed the importance of unification of goals within the industry and thanked members and staff for their service during the past year.
The meteoric rise of the Tennessee Walking Horse was evident when reviewing the past 10 years. At that time, Cherry remarked, the budget was under $1 million dollars. As the Board and membership focus on the future, Cherry reiterated their commitment to current technology while maintaining the same number of people for administrative duties.
In a brief overview of the year, Cherry reported that the tremendous growth of the walking horse industry resulted in a fourth place national ranking...up from eighth place just ten years ago which supports the aggressive marketing endeavors made during that time. From 1994 to 1998, Cherry continued, we were the second fastest growing breed and from 1999 to 2000 we were THE fastest growing breed, representing a 23% growth in just one year. The $4.1 million dollar budget, if approved would include approximately $730,000 to 750,000 earmarked for marketing and related activities.
Continuing with the report, he noted that there was significant growth in the number of transfers, although membership had decreased slightly. In the year ending November 30, 2001, 26,000 mares were bred, double the number from the previous year.
Cherry explained that the format of his speech would be different this year as he looked toward the future rather than expounding upon the past. In doing so, he issued a challenge to the incoming International Board of Directors. He asserted that although showing horses represents a small percentage of the industries’ activities, it does have a large impact on the industry.
It was noted by Cherry that he believed we had reached a plateau in showing horses. The question was now, where do we go and how do we get there? While stating that the proposals he would offer were made for the purpose of provoking discussion and challenging the board to leadership, Cherry proposed the following:
1. The National Horse Show Commission was formed approximately 13 years ago. It was the coming together of two regulatory commissions. TWHBEA, although responsible for rules and regulations, delegated that authority to the NHSC. But this authority has been splintered by the numerous HIO’s formed over the past 10 years. As a change was needed 13 years ago, it is now time for a major change once again.
Cherry remarked, “Don’t expect things to change, if you don’t change things.”
Currently, the TWHBEA and NHSC contract renews automatically each year unless written notice is given six months prior to the current termination date. Therefore Cherry requested: 1) Consideration be given by the International Board of Directors to prepare written notice immediately of TWHBEA’s intention to terminate the contract for 2003. 2) Direct the Executive committee to develop plans for 2003. The proposed plan would go to the board members 30 days prior to the May meeting 2002. 3) Develop a TWHBEA Industry Rule Book for training, licensing of judges and continuing education. Administrative responsibility would be assumed by TWHBEA for HIO’s who agree to the rule book and use the TWHBEA judges list. 4) TWHBEA would speak with one voice for all factions in Washington. 5) TWHBEA would be responsible for the recording and maintenance of show records. Cherry explained, this would mean keeping the lines of communication open - meeting with representatives from all divisions and being responsive to their needs and suggestions. He remarked that we all need to stay focused on the horse and this business. 6) Board of Directors form a Tennessee HIO immediately and perhaps other states and regional HIO’s would be formed at a later date.
2. Cherry reported that his last visit to Washington DC this summer had caused him to pause and reflect on the problems currently at hand. There were many factions now suggesting opposing plans to the USDA; we need to speak with one united voice. Otherwise, in his opinion, showing horses is doomed to failure if 6-8 persons are telling the USDA what to do with the horse show business. The TWHBEA should represent 90-95% of the industry horse shows. Cherry suggested providing opportunities to educate the public about the packages and equipment for the performance show horse and address the issue of plantation horses who are now doing a “big lick”. Can we do better? YES. We need to call a spade a spade. Perhaps we can give a little to get a lot; finding a better way for our horses will take courage and vision to evoke a change. He reminded the group that “we are divided by imaginary boundaries but united by our love of the horse.”
Committee Reports
Charles Wharton, vice president of administrative/fiscal division reported on the budget through the past eleven months. The association is in good financial condition as revenues exceeded expenses by $400,000. Wharton also commented on the newly proposed 2002 budget of $4.1 million dollars. He expressly targeted the proposed amount of $732,000 or approximately 18% of the budget to be used on marketing the performance, plantation show horse and sport horse. The budget would include the financing of the building and review of insurance coverage and a change of that coverage if indicated. He reported that the auditors had reviewed the financials and all was in order.