December 22, 2011
Progress is Being Made
The Arabian Professional & Amateur Horseman's Association (APAHA) Board of Directors respond to Ray LaCroix’s letter, and cite progress in addressing exhibitors’ concerns with the Tulsa venue.
This letter is in response to Ray LaCroix’s letter “Enough Is Enough.” As the Arabian Professional & Amateur Horseman’s Association (APAHA) represents the professional and amateur community, and their interests at our U.S. National Championships, we feel we are in an excellent position to respond to Ray’s concerns. While we do acknowledge that many of Ray’s concerns are valid, it is our contention that progress is being made.
The change of venue has allowed a substantial amount of growth to our National show. Our industry has become an amateur-driven industry. The change in venue has allowed the addition of the amateur maturity classes as well as the entry-level Select Rider classes. These additions have benefited trainers by allowing them to bring more horses to the show and providing an outlet for some of their older show horses. There has been tremendous growth in the working western division as well. With all the growth we have experienced our National show now requires three separate show arenas with their own specific functions. These areas of growth are a direct result of the benefits of the Tulsa facility.
This year there was a change in the schedule that allowed the halter classes to have their own venue tailored specifically to the requests received by AHA. Also, in response to overwhelming requests from the exhibitors, all performance classes were moved into the Ford Truck Arena. The exhibitors spoke and the show commission listened.
The Pavilion was set up with VIP tables to better accommodate the wishes of the halter community. These tables were well received and there is now a waiting list for them. The addition of age division National championships allowed halter trainers to bring more horses to the show. There was additional prize money that also benefited the owners. AHA added halter championships on the final weekend that were judged using the comparative judging system. This was all done because AHA and the show commission listened to their exhibitors.
The footing issue is not a new issue. We have struggled with footing issues at every venue where we have shown. The footing in the Quick Trip building’s work areas this year was not good. This has been discussed with the show commission and will continue to be discussed with them to ensure this situation does not occur again. There will be a representative of APAHA in the Quick Trip building to monitor all concerns that arise during the show. AHA President Lance Walters has stated, “We are aware of the footing issues that occurred at this year’s U.S. National Show and we are committed to rectifying them. I have talked to numerous trainers and exhibitors about how to correct these dirt problems since October and we feel that we can solve the problems. We have financial incentives offered to us by the city of Tulsa if we decide to stay in Tulsa for the next few years. If we need to use some of that money to correct this problem, that’s what we will do. The safety of our horses and exhibitors is the priority.”
The attitude of AHA and their representatives has been nothing but helpful. They have listened to every request that APAHA has brought to them and tried to accommodate. They do not always have the wherewithal to do all that is asked of them and there are many things that are not within their control. APAHA has stepped up to try to fill the void and will continue to do so.
Many people do not like Tulsa as a venue. There are also many people who find Tulsa to be acceptable for our National show. While Tulsa may not be a destination city, it is comparable to the other venues where we have shown. The support facilities we need, such as Lowe’s, Target, and grocery stores are more accessable in Tulsa than anywhere else. Hotels are close by and offer something to fit everyone’s budget. The central location is way more appealing to the exhibitors who live on either coast. Where is a destination city that has a facility that can accommodate our needs?
The Ford Truck Arena does have seating issues. The show commission has looked into this issue and to date have been unable to find a solution. They are continuing to look into this. The arena itself will continue to get a face-lift. There are plans to replace the end panels with more eye-appealing panels. The JumboTron added a lot and the show commission plans to expand its contribution. APAHA will continue to upgrade the decorations in the Ford Truck Arena to improve the environment.
The Quick Trip building will have a new layout in 2012. This new layout will enable water trucks to go down the aisleways to keep dust to a minimum. As stated earlier in this letter the footing will be addressed in the workspaces and every effort will be made to ensure there are suitable work conditions. The ventilation will also be addressed to the best of their ability. Once again, the smell of urine is not a new problem. The same problems existed in the west wing in Louisville. The distance from the Quick Trip building to the show arenas is no greater than we experienced at our other venues. In many cases the Quick Trip building is closer.
The warm-up situation in Tulsa is generally better than we have experienced in other venues. This year was not as good due to the footing in the Quick Trip building. Once that situation is corrected we will be in a better position. The weather conditions that we encounter in Tulsa are no different from those we have encountered at our other venues. The one difference is that when we have bad weather in Tulsa, at least we don’t have to deal with the mud.
A question must be asked. Why did we leave our other venues? Had we outgrown them or were the facilities not delivering what they were promising? Did AHA act in a fiscally responsible manner to try to do the best they could for their membership? Tulsa may not be perfect, but it does fit the need of the majority of AHA’s membership.
AHA has been listening to its membership. The membership has a voice at our annual convention. Not enough people take advantage of the opportunity to go to the convention and sit in on the National Show Commission meeting. The meeting is open to the public. The show commission is made up of a group of volunteers who only want to do the best job they can. They do need our help in understanding what issues are out there and sometimes they need help in correcting those issues. Most of Ray’s issues were raised in this year’s open meeting of the U.S. National Show Commission meeting. The show commission is aware of the problems and is working to correct them.
In the newest issue of Modern Arabian Horse, Lance Walters, in his “From the President” letter, addresses the proposal from Tulsa and states that there are 12 other facilities that have been asked to submit a bid. AHA is looking elsewhere and is communicating about this with its members. For the sake of all of us who depend on the Arabian horse for our entertainment or livelihood, AHA has to make the most fiscally responsible decision.
In closing, Tulsa is not perfect. We did have some tremendous issues with footing this year. The Ford Truck Arena does have issues with eye appeal and seating. Tulsa wants to work with us and they are continuing to make improvements. If we keep asking AHA to make improvements they will listen. We need to bring them solutions not complaints. If we don’t have solutions we need to find them or accept that we have done all that we can. We need to have unity in our industry, not divisiveness. We need to work together for our breed. If a more suitable facility becomes available we need to take advantage of it. Let’s not forget the negative issues we had with our other venues and only pay attention to the recent problems we have had in Tulsa. Progress is being made.
Respectfully,
The Board of Directors of the APAHA — Responding Members
Mary Jane Brown
Lori Conway
Chris Culbreth
Bob G. Hart
Katie G. Harvey
Brian Murch
Gordon Potts
Johnny Ryan
Tim Shea
Chuck Siemon
Carole Stohlmann
Mary Trowbridge