Tour of Miller Coliseum
At 11:30 Ralph Curry took any interested parties to view the Miller Coliseum. The facility has a larger than Celebration size arena and warm up area.
In addition to viewing the seats, arena, warm up area, judges’ room, and a view of the barns and camper sites, the offices which will be WHOA’s were viewed. Selection of boxes are now available and all seats seem to be able to view the ring activities.
Pleasure Committee Meeting
The Pleasure Committee Meeting was called to order by Tommy Hall at 1:00 p.m. Saturday followed by roll call. Chairman Martha Child welcomed all present. The International was again discussed. Hall explained that in accordance with NHSC rules all four-year-old and junior classes must canter. He said that the NHSC had amended the rule concerning aged horses cantering. He said that in performance classes, show management could have one open specialty class per show. He also said that whether flat shod classes other than four-year-olds should canter again had been left up to show management.
Hall stated that if the membership wished, that in 2003 they could go back to the two banquets. He stated that he needed more help, that he needed more volunteers and more decisions would be made by committees.
A committee will work on the versatility classes, probably 20-25 at the shows. Florida and Wisconsin will make up their own schedules. WHOA will send them the ribbons for 25 classes. Hall stated that last year’s WHOA Versatility Fun Day-Game Show was a success and will be held on June 28, 2003.
At this year’s banquet, there will only be one high point in each division for the versatility. The National High Point awards stayed the same.
At the Pleasure International there will be versatility events on Sunday in the Animal Science Pavilion. Four or five classes for youth 11 and under will be added to the versatility classes. At the beginning of the show on Sunday, the showmanship classes will be held. On Monday Morning, August 4, 2003 there will be halter classes.
At the August International there will be no academy classes but the Academy Championships will be held at the October show.
Discussion of the International classes then ensued with suggestions concerning trail pleasure and western classes. Hall appointed three new members to the committee to look at the schedule. The three new appointees are Laura Brandon, Bruce Lovato, and Bob Lawrence. The plantation committee meeting will meet during March with the rules representatives there and make decisions and recommendations.
WHOYA Meeting
The youth also met in the basement of the Miller Foundation House. Their officers for 2003 include President Justin Miller, Vice President Sam Jamison, Treasurer Catherine Simpson and Secretary Jeren Guthrie.
During their meeting various committees worked on and reported on fund raising and their horse show, junior memberships, projects and promotions.
Following their meeting the group had a third anniversary cake, a garland with roses cake, and a birthday cake for Christy Mauney. This was also in appreciation to Kathy Owen and David Pruett for their work with WHOYA.
Saturday evening . . .
Register of Merit, Versatility High Point, & National High Point Award Banquet
The highlight of the convention was the celebration of the 2002 WHOA Register of Merit, Versatility and National High Point Awards on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m at the James Union Building. Following the welcome by President Frank Neal, during which he acknowledged WHOA founder and past president Dr. Bob Womack, and the invocation, a meal was enjoyed by all. Appreciation awards, ceramic horseheads were given to Kathy Owen for gathering the silent auction items that went for premium prices, to Rhonda Martocci for having the Sponsors’ party and to Frank Neal for accepting the Presidency again.
Out On Parole was honored for being the 2002 World Grand Champion and an award was presented to owners Randall and Sadie Baskin.
Presentations were then made to the 2002 International Diamond Sponsors. Moving on to the high point awards, Mark Farrar announced this year’s winners while Jack Greene captured the moments on film. Beautiful awards and ribbons were presented to the owners who came from all over the nation to commemorate their win.
The Versatility High Point Awards were given first. The Academy 11 and Under was a tie between Hailey Douglas and Sydney Shortridge with Sarah Driver winning reserve. In the Academy 12-17, No Canter the winner was Audrey Whitmer with Mikenzie Brown picking up the reserve streamer.
Lisa Pritchett proudly accepted the Academy 17 & Over high point award. Lauren Lockard claimed reserve. In the Academy 3 Gait Margaret Trundrumg claimed the trophy with B.J. Richards coming in reserve.