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TWHBEASM May Board Meeting Proves Informative
By Sarah Gee
© Voice, July 2005
In what was the culmination of three days worth of sub-committee and committee meetings, the TWHBEASM Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting, held May 28 at breed headquarters in Lewisburg, Tennessee, was both engaging and informative. Because the death of a close friend prevented President Jerrold Pedigo from attending, Senior Vice President Spencer Benedict presided.
Following the call to order and welcome by Senior Vice President Benedict, the roll call revealed 71 directors present and 40 absent. Roll call was followed by the approval of the agenda and the approval of the minutes from the December 2004 board meeting.
Next of the agenda was the approval of the Annual Audit for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2004. Charles Wharton, vice president of the administrative/fiscal/audit committee made the report. According to the audit, the Association ended fiscal year 2004 with approximately $1.4 million in cash, total assets of $3.3 million, and total liabilities of $1.2 million. Revenue for the year was $4.7 million, up nearly $500,000, $230,000 of which was attributable to Voice™ Magazine. Expenses for the year were $4.4 million, up $127,000 from 2003. The Association ended 2004 with a net income of $332,000 of which $82,500 was an insurance settlement payment – a one-time non-recurring event.
Mr. Wharton also reported that Cook & Co., the Association’s internal auditor, issued a management report along with the audit. In the report, they noted such things as the tax consequences of having employees that opt out of health insurance and ways to improve the mailing out of election ballots. According to Mr. Wharton, they also noted that they had a high level of confidence in the Association’s in-house accounting system and that this was a tremendous step forward because it was accomplished without adding any additional staff. Cook & Co. suggested that the Association consider adding a bookkeeper/clerk and implementing a purchase order/requisition system.
Following Mr. Wharton’s report, the board approved the annual audit for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2004. They then ratified the actions of the executive committee since December 4, 2004.
The standing committee reports were next on the agenda. First up was the administrative/fiscal/audit division report delivered by vice president Charles Wharton. Mr. Wharton reported on the preliminary results of the first five months of fiscal year 2005. He related that revenue is up $66,000 at $1.8 million and that expenses are up $151,000 at $1.8 million. The Association saw an increase in net assets of $37,000 compared to $122,000 for the same period in 2004.
Revenues from registrations and memberships are down $66,000. Voice™ Magazine revenues are up $151,000 with $54,000 attributable to increased ad sales and $81,000 attributable to the Sire Summary. Gift Shop revenues are down by 50% at $21,000.
Registration and membership expenses are down $27,000. G&A expenses are down $74,000 mainly due to decreases in salaries, depreciation, and amortization. Marketing expenses are up $46,000 due to increases in trade fair participation and advertising. Voice™ Magazine expenses are up $203,000 due to increases in salaries, occupancy costs, printing, and free lance fees. Horse Show Development expenses are up $9,500 due to an increase in the number of shows being assisted.
Following Mr. Wharton’s report, Joyce Morris Moyer, director from Ohio, voiced some concerns regarding the reduced revenues from registrations and memberships. Mr. Wharton responded that the Association was moving forward on implementing an initiative to increase membership. He also stated that the horse industry overall has not been as strong in the last two or three years as it was in the late 1990s.
Kathy Zeis, vice president of the breeders’ division, was next to take the podium. She reported that her division is in the process of reviewing and trying to modernize the Association’s forms. As part of that project, Tobiano, Overo, and Sabino now have a separate field on the registration form, they are no longer part of “Body Markings.” This change will allow the registry to easily determine how many horses of each classification are registered. In the future, registration forms will also include a place to voluntarily record DNA color information.
Ms. Zeis also reported that her division had made a recommendation to the executive committee that the Association not recognize any colors that are not officially recognized by the registry. She closed by stating the her division was also looking into several other issues including methods of tracking the use of frozen semen, genetic components due to color, and the international identification program.
Enforcement division vice president Jack Doss made his report next. He stated that at the end of 2004 his division still had a couple of outstanding complaints that they brought over to 2005. In 2005, they picked up approximately four additional complaints. All but one complaint has been resolved. The enforcement division hopes to finish out 2005 with a clean slate.
Jamie Hankins, horse show division vice president, began his report by stating that for 2005 there will be twelve new horse show development assisted shows in eight states. In addition, there will be twelve second year horse show development assisted shows in nine states. He also reported that, due to lack of support in the St. Louis area this year, the St. Louis Charity Show had been cancelled. All efforts have been shifted to the Triple Crown Horse Show, which is to be held in Chatsworth, Georgia September 22 – 24. A four-person committee has been appointed to consider show sites for the future.
Mr. Hankins then turned to the regional futurities. He stated that all nine were sent surveys and all had returned them. A workshop was held in February and a plan devised to help these events grow and become more successful. The plan will be presented to the executive committee in December for implementation in 2006.
Vice president of the marketing division, Larry Lowman, began his report by relating what a great experience it was to attend Equitana in Essen, Germany this year. His report then turned to Sweet Dixie Night, the six-year-old mare that serves as our breed ambassador at the Kentucky Horse Park. Mr. Lowman referred to her as, “A great representation for our breed.”
Next, he discussed the Association’s latest marketing opportunity in South Carolina. Gorden Timmons, director from South Carolina, owns property along I-95, which includes a billboard. He has agreed to let the Association use the billboard. Mr. Lowman unveiled a mock-up of the billboard design, which will be in place shortly. This project alone will exposed hundreds of thousands of people to the Tennessee Walking Horse daily.
Mr. Lowman then stated that the marketing division’s focus this year was on getting the Tennessee Walking Horse exposure on television. To that end, the Association has agreed to sponsor the program What A Horse. Currently, What A Horse, which focuses solely on the Tennessee Walking Horse, airs exclusively in the southeast, however producers are very near an agreement that will put it on RFD-TV enabling it to go out nationally. In addition, the Association will be running ads on the RFD-TV program The Best of America on Horseback. The ads, which promote all facets of the TWH, will start airing in July of this year.
Continuing his report, Mr. Lowman next turned to the new partnership between TWHBEASM, The Celebration, and Opryland Hotel. He stated that there are currently five Tennessee Walking Horses in the paddocks adjacent to the Hotel’s main entrance. There will eventually be a total of six horses, all of which will be donated. Additionally, video clips highlighting the Tennessee Walking Horse are running on all of the plasma screens at the Hotel’s registration desks and on the information channel in the guest rooms. Rack cards throughout the Hotel feature TWHBEASM on one side and The Celebration on the other. Approximately four million people visit Opryland Hotel each year.
Mr. Lowman ended his remarks by inviting everyone to visit the new TWHBEASM Gift Shop, housed at association headquarters.
Following the marketing report, Joyce Morris Moyer, director from Ohio, asked for an update on the Association’s rolling billboards. Mr. Lowman stated that there were currently sixteen on the road and several trucking companies were interested in adding more.
The owners/exhibitors division report, issued by vice president Nicole Carswell, was next. Ms. Carswell began by giving a rundown of TWHBEA’s 2005 Celebration Clinics. She then listed all the clinics that have been held so far in 2005 including Raleigh NC, Timonia MD, Montgomery AL, St. Cloud MN, Indianapolis IN, Jackson MS, Richmond VA, Illinois, Calgery, Alberta, Madison WI, Spokane WA, Salt Lake
City UT, and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Clinics planned for later this year include Alpenrod, Germany and Louisville KY.
Jane Meredith, vice president of the performance horse division, began her report with the Medallion Program. She stated that twenty-nine shows had the Medallion Class on their schedule for 2005 and that her division was looking for more ways to encourage the growth of this program. She remarked, “We want to keep our horse a three-gaited horse and we think that this is a way that we can do this.”
Ms. Meredith then turned to the Academy Program, stating that it continues to grow by leaps and bounds. The Program held eight winter tournaments in 2005 including one in North Carolina (the first ever for that state), three in Kentucky, and three in Middle Tennessee. Over the last three years, the Program has introduced 281 newcomers to the Tennessee Walking Horse. There are now 74 certified riding instructors in sixteen states and two foreign countries.
In closing, Ms. Meredith stated that her division was looking for new ways to promote the performance horse. To that end, they have discussed the future of an equitation program implement through TWHBEASM. Discussion has also centered on how to enhance the existing equitation program.
Pleasure horse division vice president Edie Wittenmyer opened her report with the TWHBEASM World Versatility Show. The show is scheduled for July 29 & 30, Dee Dee Sale will be the judge, John Prigg the announcer, and Tru Bollinger the paddock coordinator. She reported that several sponsorships had been gained during the pleasure horse committee meeting and that members of the executive committee had been invited to the show to present ribbons and trophies. Corporate sponsors for the event include The Celebration, R. Craig Evans, National Bridle Shop, and Deborah Williams & James Parkey. The coolers are donated by White Stallion Creations and Mike & Pat Aldredge. Three floral horseshoes will be donated by LaGrange Farm. Ms. Wittenmyer reminded everyone that participants at the World Versatility Show receive double versatility points. Before moving on, she stated that the $100 high-point incentive for trainers would remain the same and that day cards for those without amateur cards would be available at the World Versatility Show for $15.00 each.
Ms. Wittenmyer then moved on to promotion, stating that many ideas had been put forth in the pleasure horse promotion sub-committee meeting. Those ideas included forming an overnight stabling directory for Tennessee Walking Horses, publishing in the Voice™ when the TWH commercials will air on RFD-TV, reviewing the Certified Riding Instructor Program and possibly expanding it so that instructors beyond the first level can list specialties on their certification card, having Dan Aadland write some trail riding articles for Voice™ Magazine, advertising the Distance Program in Back Country Horseman, and adding the halter and jacket incentives to the Distance Program brochure.
To close out her report, Ms. Wittenmyer listed the new Youth Superior and Adult Supreme Versatility Champions. Youth Superiors Champions include Sara Biddux and Smokey’s Midnight Magic, Sara Derr and Boucoup’s Black Flash, Blair Morton and Generator’s Powder Red, Logan Teeter and Southern Walking Man, and Heather Schubert and MD’s Super Stock Nebula. The newest Adult Supreme Champion is Mary Helen Coleman Martin with Southern Tapestry.
The report from the training division was next on the agenda. Training division vice president David Landrum was unable to attend the meeting so Senior Vice President Spencer Benedict made the report. He announced that Billy Thomas had been hired as Walking Horse Trainers’ Association (WHTA) Executive Director. He also stated that the Riders Cup program has sold all its sponsorships for 2005 and that the WHTA is still looking for a site for its new building.
Member at large by-laws Sid Baucom reported next. He stated that an amendment to the by-laws suggested by Charles Wharton was voted upon by his committee. The amendment will change the capital expenditure amount yearly limit. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the change to the executive committee and the executive committee unanimously approved it. The final vote will take place at the December 2005 board meeting.
Dee Dee Sale, member at large youth, made the final standing committee report. She related that the Association had nineteen scholarship applicants this year. Scholarship recipients include Alaina Parsons, LeAnn Little, Mackenzie Brown, Chad Funkhouser, Samantha Brown, Ashley Jones, Jessica Marlewski, and Emily Mortenson. Travis Weiberg, Noah Brenke, and Lindsey Keener were Junior Division Essay Contest winners while Jessica Jefferies, Blake Everett, and Dana Fasnacht topped the senior division.
Ms. Sale also announced that the Association’s youth group will now be known as the Tennessee Walking Horse Youth AssociationSM (TWHYASM). This is keeping in line with other major breed organizations such as the American Quarter Horse Youth Association. At the time of the meeting, the TWHYASM had 863 members.
Ms. Sale ended her report by reminding everyone about The Challenge, the annual softball game that pits members of the TWHYASM against members of the WHTA. This year the game will benefit Ellie Jackson, an Academy Program participant recently diagnosed with cancer.
Following the standing committee reports, TWHBEASM Executive Director Charles Hulsey took the podium to make his report. He began by commending the staff of TWHBEASM. He then praised the Association’s new website and stated that it was already generating $10,000 - $12,000 a month through memberships and sales of iPeds™. He then announced a new corporate sponsorship program by which various products can be endorsed by TWHBEASM.
Mr. Hulsey’s report then turned to trade fairs and expos. He related that he had personally attended events in Montgomery AL, Springfield MO, Charleston WV, Indianapolis IN, Richmond VA, and Essen, Germany. He commended all of the directors that had worked to promote the Tennessee Walking Horse at fairs and expos throughout the world.
Next, he reported that the Association continues to work on increasing membership and registration. Membership is actually up some 600 or 700 members from this time a year ago and each month seems to see a small increase. Shortfalls in registrations are, in large part, due to skipped transfers and the Association is trying to educate people on the importance of transferring horses.
The last part of Mr. Hulsey’s report focused on the Animal ID Program. He stated that the Equine Species Working Group, of which he is a member, has submitted recommendations to the USDA and that, currently, those recommendations are in an open comment period that is set to end in early July. Pilot projects will be held in various states in 2006 and 2007 with voluntary compliance beginning in 2008. The deadline for mandatory compliance will be January 1, 2009.
Following the Executive Director’s report, Elsie Darrah, director from Kansas, suggested that horse owners start microchipping now to get a head start on the program. Mr. Hulsey stated that this would not be a good idea because the microchips available in the United States are 125 MHz while the ones likely to be required by the Animal ID Program are 134.2 MHz.
There was no Old Business to be discussed.
Under New Business, Charles Wharton announced that the Association has worked out an agreement with Nicole Carswell to become TWHBEA’s official clinician on a full-time basis starting June 1, 2005. Plans call for her to conduct approximately 25 riding clinics over the next year plus 2-4 riding camps. She will also pen four Voice™ Magazine articles. Discussing her enlistment, Mr. Wharton remarked, “I think this may be the most important step we take this year in promoting our horse. Nicole’s background and demeanor make her the perfect candidate to become our goodwill ambassador.”
The next meeting of the TWHBEASM Board of Directors will be held December 3, 2005 at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, Tennessee.
Gloria Rambo Honored For 40
Years Of Service To TWHBEASM
 Gloria Rambo, TWHBEASM Receptionist, was honored at the May ‘05 Board Meeting for 40 years of service to TWHBEASM. Mrs. Rambo’s is the first face that most see when they visit breed headquarters. She is helpful, informative, and always eager to assist those with questions. Over the past forty years she has welcomed countless newcomers into the walking horse industry. She is an invaluable asset to our great breed.
Barbara McAdams Honored For 10
Years Of Service To TWHBEASM
 Barbara McAdams, TWHBEASM Secretary to the Executive Director, was honored at the May ‘05 Board Meeting for 10 years of service to TWHBEASM. In her capacity as Secretary to the Executive Director, Mrs. McAdams attends to many of the details that enable TWHBEASM to operate smoothly.
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