Comments on: Question of the week, #4

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:38:43 +0000

Ah! I’m so glad this was poste| There are a mass of contradictary
information blogged about, this dispells, puts to rest
some of what I’ve heard.

By: Shelby

Shelby — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:24:09 +0000

I agree with Kyle about the Regional shows, their are too many classes that have too few entries. Anymore horse shows are the only competetive sport where you never get to see who wins!!!! The horses are run in and out so fast and the placings are called out long after the class is over. Did you ever notice their are very few spectators at the shows anymore. The bleachers sit there empty (with the exception of the Nationals and World show). I have seen so many people get up and walk out disappointed and discouraged because you cannot see who wins and places. Who is to blame for this? Is it because there are too many classes and the judges are tired from putting in too long of days. It should not be that the only way you can find out who wins is to look on the ApHC website weeks after the show is over. I firmly believe ths is what is wrong with Regional shows and I will say it until the day I die. I learned everything I know about showing and Appaloosa by hanging on the rail at horse shows back in the 70′s and 80′s. This is how I knew who such great horses as Abdull’s Pok-A-Son, Too Tough, Royal Exhibit and many many others were. This is where I learned what it takes to win and what the judges were looking for. What does a bunch of names ands numbers mean to anyone when you cannot see what horse they belong too.

By: Dar-KDJJ Appaloosas

Dar-KDJJ Appaloosas — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:45:43 +0000

I would have to ALSO agree with April statement #15:

April Said,
February 6, 2009 @ 10:00 am

1. Finally define what an Appaloosa is by sponsoring the research needed to develop a genetic test for the breed, and use THAT and THAT ONLY for registration.

2. See 1. That should end the ongoing discrepancies (and resulting squabbles) of phenotype assessment, and will open the door to all types of horses to be included.

3. See 1. When the squabbles are set aside and we KNOW what an Appaloosa truly is by DNA, we’ll come together as a membership and move the organization forward.
This will make communication easier, sponsorships easier, and boost membership and registrations as people grow confident in the club’s foundation.

Its LLLLLLLONG overdue!

By: Kevin-- KDJJ Appaloosas

Kevin-- KDJJ Appaloosas — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:59:37 +0000

1. Rule #1 in business—give your clientele (new and old) MORE, MORE, MORE then they expect! It generates return patronage, word of mouth FREE advertising, reputation across the board which = GROWTH!
2. Don’t expect blood from a rock! Remaining members need just as much support! What you offer new members should be offered to remaining, holdfast members. Opening doors for discounted registrations: would be a great start. Possibly dual discounted if old member registers a horse (or free breeding report) they can get a free new membership for a new client. Combinations are endless…. to increase number of members.
3. According to the ApHC 80%+ of its members do NOT show… what are you doing for those people? That’s a huge commodity that’s not even tapped into!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:10:41 +0000

1) Make shows more affordable to the average person. The club is loosing members because no one can afford to show at breed shows. If you aren’t showing at breed shows and you aren’t breeding, what is the point of membership?

2) Generate new membership by A) making breed shows more affordable B) introducing more programs like sanctioned trail rides in more locations C) offering better prizes for the ACAAP.

3) Remain true to the breed. If people want to own and show Quarter Horses, let them join the AQHA.

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:13:09 +0000

We need to move the National show EAST if we are going to keep the World show WEST. The largest show in the World is the Congress and that is held in Ohio! We also need to do a better job of advertising, WHY are we NOT in The Way To Go with Appaloosas winning all of that money at the Just For Pleasure and Reichert futurities????? Why are we not promoting the fact that WE added 50K to the two year old hunter @ the Just For Pleasure???? We NEED to promote that, perhaps it will make someone choose an Appaloosa! We also need to get more sponsors for our World show so we can pay out more $$$$$$, the same goes for Nationals.

By: John and Julie Kreider

John and Julie Kreider — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:13:32 +0000

I would like to also add that I agree with Vic. Our board members should be aware of the image they present to the general public. Any board member that behaves in a manner detrimental to our association’s public image should, by majority vote of the board or the general membership, be removed from office.
Our board members should be held to a high standard and realize their potential for negative impact on our breed. If they do not, they are not deserving of the title of representing us. For the rest of the board to allow this to happen is unconscionable.

By: John and Julie Kreider

John and Julie Kreider — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:22:27 +0000

1) Listen more to the needs of the grass roots breeders, give them more representation and do not focus only on the show aspects of the club. Breeders are the front line of marketing and have the biggest and most long term investment in the breed. They bring in, support and educate new members. When the breeders aren’t happy, switch breeds or stop breeding, everything else the club does is a moot point. This club was founded by dedicated breeders and if the club is to rally it will be through them.
2) You can’t keep milking the same herd. Instead of trying to find ways to increase the costs and requirements for existing members, generate revenue through new membership. Raising the requirements for participation in ApHC events, raising costs and making more complicated rules only alienates the members and makes the club less inviting for new membership. Make belonging to the ApHC and participating in it’s events as simple, affordable and easy as possible. This encourages new membership in an atmosphere of a tough economy.
3) Put the focus back on what made the Appaloosa popular to begin with…COLOR! It is the most recognizable characteristic of our breed to the general public and it is what has defined us against other breeds. By deemphasizing color in our show ring we have lost much of what set us apart and made us desirable and marketable to the general public.
4) Give more incentive to breed Appaloosa to Appaloosa. Too many of our dollars are going outside of our breed.

By: April

April — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:00:39 +0000

1. Finally define what an Appaloosa is by sponsoring the research needed to develop a genetic test for the breed, and use THAT and THAT ONLY for registration.

2. See 1. That should end the ongoing discrepancies (and resulting squabbles) of phenotype assessment, and will open the door to all types of horses to be included.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:45:04 +0000

1. Start running the club like a business with the first order of business being moving Nationals out of Jackson
2. Promotion, promotion, promotion
3. Location, Location, Location