The National Horse Show Commission held their monthly Board meeting on Monday, January 26, 2009.  The following actions were taken:

• Final interviews for the NHSC Executive Director were held.  Hired was Andy Messick of Murfreesboro, TN.

• Upcoming DQP/VMO Joint Training was discussed.

• The Board was reminded that the annual Judges Applicant School is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2009 and a DQP Applicant School is scheduled for Saturday, February 28 and March 1, 2009.

• One appeal for Owner Exemption from Liability was heard and the decision of the Independent Hearing Committee overturned.

• Dr. Harry updated the Board on the progress of the Policy Board and the “restructuring” of the NHSC (press release forthcoming).

• The Board was informed that the 2009 Alliance Agreement with the KY-HIO had been received and signed.  This agreement allows NHSC Licensed Judges to judge KY-HIO affiliated shows and KY-HIO Licensed Judges to judge NHSC affiliated shows.

• The Board was informed that the SSHBEA would be meeting on February 9, 2009 and one item to be discussed is the renewal of the contract between SSHBEA and NHSC.  The Board voted to approve the contract for 2009 (same stipulations from 2008) if SSHBEA is willing to do the same.  This agreement allows NHSC Licensed Judges to apply for license with SSHBEA to judge their shows.

• Once all 2008 business was concluded the 2009 Board of Directors took over with Link Webb as Chairman.

• Rules Committee Appointments were discussed. 
         1. It was decided the Pleasure Horse Rules Committee would be comprised of four (4) pleasure horse members from WHOA and four (4) pleasure horse members from WHTA with the Chairman of the committee coming from the NHSC Board of Directors & Alternates.  No pleasure horse rules would be considered by the NHSC Board without a recommendation from the NHSC Pleasure Horse Rules Committee.
 2. It was decided the Performance Horse Rules Committee would be comprised of four (4) performance horse members from WHOA and four (4) performance horse members from WHTA with the Chairman of the committee coming from the NHSC Board of Directors & Alternates.  No performance horse rules would be considered by the NHSC Board without a recommendation from the NHSC Performance Horse Rules Committee.

• Judges Committee Appointments were discussed.  It was decided that four (4) representatives from WHOA and four (4) representatives from the WHTA would be appointed by their respective Presidents with the Chairman of the committee coming from the NHSC Board of Directors & Alternates.

• The next meeting of the NHSC Board of Directors was scheduled for February 23, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.