Circle M Farm

Good horses don't cost, - they pay!

Viggo Mortensen, Vice-Chairman

Linda Vance, APHA President

Lex Smurthwaite, APHA Executive Director

Markus Rensing, APHA Director of European Affairs

Denis Allard, Paul deJong, Annika Müller-Hansen, Fritz Herren, Philippe Laflaquiere, François Lejour, Martin Laleese, Josef Muhr, Hardy Oelke, Karl-Heinz Schmidt, Matteo

Irene presented the redesigned international web site and new features. The group discussed adding an open or closed forum. They suggested we launch an open forum

first, with a closed forum reserved for APHA members to follow.

Karl-Heinz Schmidt, show secretary, reported on entries to date:

439 Open entries (+35%)

202 Amateur entries (-8.6%)

156 Youth entries (+4%)

82 Novice Amateur entries (+3.8%)

963 total entries (+13.5%)

He said there are fewer German entries and more international entries. Next year, PHCG has a contract with Kreuth. The group discussed 2012 and beyond as the club is

in contract negotiations with the facility here. Two questions were asked. Should we sign a three or five year contract? Which club will sponsor the show? The group

unanimously agreed that we should stay here in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and it should be run by Paint Horse Club Germany. Lex suggested PHCG consider negotiating a backdoor

clause with a five-year contract.

A long discussion followed about dates for 2011. The committee also suggested moving the PHCG Breeders Futurity to another show in order to make the show shorter and

less costly for exhibitors who don’t participate in that event. August 24-28, 2011 were the preferred dates.

Philippe Laflaquiere said the French felt communication with the equine press needs to be improved. The event is not getting any coverage in the French equine press, for

example. Without media coverage, it’s very difficult to obtain corporate sponsors. He feels a group needs to study this issue so that this event becomes the major event in Europe.

Lex Smurthwaite briefed the group about the priorities set for 2010-2011. The management team has developed a business plan, identifing five key areas to focus on:

1) stabilize and grow membership; 2) increase revenue and generate new revenue opportunities, 3) increase and energize our regional clubs and international affiliates, 4)

provide exceptional customer service and 5) expand APHA web functionality and usability. The staff are working on an online show results program, with beta testing at

the end of the year. Also, they are overhauling and enhancing our web site.

Smurthwaite also brought up the USLGE government grant program that helps fund sending judges to foreign countries. The APHA received over $80,000 from the program

last year. That amount is decreasing and may decrease again. If clubs are asking for financial support for judges, the APHA needs to receive your requests as soon as

Regarding double-registered horses with AQHA, Smurthwaite requested that owners please try to get the exact name with both associations. It is a huge problem in

competition and racing.

A rule change proposal is under development that would approve leasing show horses. Youth currently can show horses they don’t own--they don’t earn points or awards.

This lease rule would allow an Amateur to show and earn points. The committee supports this rule change proposal.

Viggo Mortensen brought up the problems the Danes are having with European equine passports. Every year the European Union adds more steps and cost. He feels we need

to set up a cooperative effort so that paperwork is done in a uniform way across Europe. Several members of the group felt this was not possible. Different countries

interpret the rules and regulations differently.

Martin Laleese suggested we look into the possibility of having the Youth World Games in Europe. Maybe more countries would participate, perhaps using their own horses.

Annika Müller-Hansen completely refused. She thinks this is a great opportunity for kids to see the World Show. Irene Stamatelakys then suggested a youth horsemanship

camp on alternate summers. She briefly described the successful EuroPaint Youth Night held earlier in the week.

Annika Müller-Hansen said Europeans don’t ride their two-year-olds. She suggests that the in-hand trail and longe line classes be approved for two-year-olds.

In the Dutch Paint Horse Club, they had a problem with members pre-entering, not coming to the show and owing the club a substantial amount of money. They requested

assistance from the APHA with this. The APHA wrote to the member three times, and if payment was not received, the member was suspended. They shared this information

so other clubs know that you can report these people.