Saddlebred News
For Immediate Release Improving Weather for Saddlebred Convention Opening Thursday; Detailed Schedule Now Available Lexington, Kentucky - After weeks of relentless icy weather, some improvement is forecast for the American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) annual convention beginning Thursday, February 18, at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa in Lexington, Kentucky. The full schedule can be found on the Convention webpage, or downloadable directly as a PDF here. Before the convention formally begins Thursday morning, pre-meeting activities are scheduled throughout the day Wednesday. United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) hosts a Judges' Clinic, open for auditing, and a Riding Instructor Certification meeting will also be held. Click here for details on the Judges' Clinic. Thursday is the traditional day for Saddlebred committee meetings, virtually all of which are open to all members, beginning with the Finance Committee meeting at 8 a.m. Another highlight Thursday is a meeting of the Charter Club Council as well as a Charter Club workshop with a video presentation of international activities from Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and South Africa. The Thursday evening reception to welcome all attendees, sponsored in part by the FEI and Emerging Disciplines Committee, will premier a new video, "I'll Take You There," set to Beethoven's famous Ode to Joy, showing many of the ways Saddlebreds compete at the top level in so many disciplines, from the high performance World's Grand Championships in Freedom Hall, to Dressage, Eventing, Jumping, and Endurance, and are also enjoyed for recreation and sheer pleasure. Friday's schedule accentuates Judging, with open forums on developing standards for Western and Hunter Judging, as well as understanding the education and supervision of judges, and improving their performance. Friday's awards luncheon salutes ASHA competition award winners across all disciplines. Dr. Sue McDonnell, world-renowned equine behaviorist, will lead an open discussion on handling stallions, as well as answer questions on equine reproductive behavior. Dr. McDonnell, of New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania, will also deliver the keynote address at the Annual Members Luncheon Saturday. Friday evening's festivities include the opening of the annual Youth Conference, as well as a Cocktail Buffet at the Lexington Country Club saluting Saddlebred Stars of Saddle Seat Equitation. Attendees will learn of the ASHA's progress in beginning a new Saddlebred Record (Champion) program for equitation mounts, with the celebration of great Saddlebreds who have carried their riders to the Triple Crown of Saddle Seat Equitation. Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. will mark the formal Annual Meeting of ASHA Members -- the annual opportunity for all members to meet with their elected leadership, receive reports on the state of the breed and the financial condition of the Association, and discuss past achievements and future plans. Members present in person or by proxy also elect two of the 2010 Nominating Committee members at the Annual Meeting. Following Dr. McDonnell's presentation at the Annual Members Luncheon beginning at Noon, another open forum is scheduled headlined by USEF president David O'Connor, leading a discussion on the reason for and implementation of new medication rules, as well as plans for the World Equestrian Games, coming to Lexington in September. Saturday evening is the climax of the convention, the rollicking American Saddlebred Ball, featuring big band dancing and a mosaic of videos and salutes to the Saddlebred world's most prestigious annual awards. Redd Crabtree of Kentucky is this year's Lifetime Achievement honoree, and will be joined on the awards platform by other luminaries of the breed, including Theresa Vonderschmitt (Lurline Roth Sportsmanship Award), Fred Sarver (June Cronan Sportsmanship Award), Fern Bittner (Wing Commander Medal), Kay Richardson (Meritorious Service), the Raymond Bible Family (Paul and Dorothy Gillenwater Trophy), and others. 
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