I’ve recently returned from Jackson, MS where the July Board of Directors meeting was held during the National Show. The weather was mild and the show went well. Many of those who attended were pleased with the facilities and the show in general. The people of Jackson were most hospitable and we had tons of media coverage.

The President for 2009 is Frank Larrabee of Corrales, NM with Chuck McWhirter of Newton, NJ as Vice President. The Executive Committee consists of Laura Lyon of Howell, MI (chair, Planning and Review), Debbie Letham of Yukon, OK (chair, Rules), Jack Zuidema of Alachua, FL (chair, Finance) and Dennis Dean of Apple Valley, CA (chair, Marketing).

At the meeting we passed several new rules which will take effect January 1, 2009. They are:

• Starting in 2009 and every 10 years after that, the minimum percentage of FPD eligibility will increase incrementally by requiring one additional horse in the preceding 4 generations. Horses may enter the FPD program at the percentage level requirements that were in place at the time the horse was foaled.

• All foals born of AQHA parents who are descendants of Impressive and are HYPP HH or NH will be required to be tested for HYPP at the time they are parent verified and will have the status noted on their papers. Future descendants of HH or NH horses will also be required to be HYPP tested/parent verified and have the status designated on their papers. Once NN parents are reached HYPP testing will not be required.

• Horses who have white markings beyond those described in the rulebook and whose parentage has been verified that both parents are ApHC registered are eligible for registration. Their papers will be marked that this horse has white markings designated as an undesirable trait and any such horse is ineligible to compete in any halter class.

• All AQHA stallions and mares whose registration papers have the notation “This horse has white markings designated under AQHA rules as an undesirable trait and uncharacteristic of the breed” are ineligible as a parent.

• Approved the use of GastroGard, UlcerGard and Equioxx as approved drugs.

• All regional club presidents and vice presidents must be members of the ApHC. It is recommended that all other directors and members be ApHC members.

Consignments are due August 1 for our World Sale. This year we will be having a broodmare incentive portion of the sale. The foals of those mares in this portion of the sale will be eligible for the 2011 World Sale 2 year old incentive futurities. If you are interested in putting your horse in the sale please contact the ApHC.

We will be having a Stallion Service Silent Auction at the World Show. World and National Champions and World and National Champion producers will donate breedings to the ApHC. Both the stallion owner and the person who buys the stallion service will receive an entry into the 2012 World Sale 2 year old incentive futurities. For more information please contact Frank Larrabee or me.

We are creating an ApHC foundation which is a 501(c)3. This will make it easier for people to donate to the club for specific purposes and for the club to seek funds via grants, etc.

Our youth coordinator will be looking at establishing a youth/academic exchange program so youth interested in experiencing the equestrian lifestyle can come to the U.S. and visit Appaloosa breeders/trainers.

We have 2 proposals on the table that we need member feedback on. Both were designed with idea of helping the regional clubs attract exhibitors to their shows.

The first, presented by Larry Baker, is where 2 or more regional clubs in a zone may put on a 4-judge show that will be double pointed. Exhibitors would pay 4 entry fees and 8 national point fees yet only have 1 weekend’s worth of expenses (hotel, gas, stalls, etc.).

The second, presented by Ray Burchett, is dependent upon how many entries a regional club had at a previous year’s show. If a show had 300 entries or less, the club could have a 2-judge show that is double pointed (2 entry fees but 4 national point fees). If a show had 301 to 600 entries, the club could put on a 3-judge show with 1 judge to be double pointed (this judge would be determined by the ApHC office) and exhibitors would pay 3 entry fees and 4 national point fees. Clubs whose shows had 601 or more entries would not get any special consideration for their shows.

We will be discussing these 2 proposals in September so please let me know your feelings on them.

The time and place for the spring Board of Directors meeting has yet to be determined. President Larrabee is planning on having more meetings via telephone conference so I look forward to a very busy and productive year.

Sandra Matthews

Director Territory II Zone C