Due to the announcement of the 2021 United Professional Horsemen's Association National Conference going virtual, and ongoing COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, the American Saddlebred Horse Association has voted to not pursue planning in-person membership meetings and 2021 conference activities. This affects the annual membership meeting, member development activities, year-end high point awards, and ASHA Youth Conference activities.
ASHA is planning a virtual annual membership meeting, along with developing other virtual activities. The association will update membership when those details become available. ASHA also will be joining other affiliates in eliminating performance-based awards for the 2020 competition season. Due to a 46 percent decrease in recorded shows in 2020, with active shows decreasing from 251 to 136, along with many states either unable to host any competitions at all or unable to meet basic awards requirements, ASHA will be suspending the program for the season.
“It was our hope that in the end we would have enough shows throughout the country to be able to offer our high point and other performance based awards this year,” said David Mount, ASHA Executive Director. "Unfortunately, this was not this case as many states and regions had either no shows or very few shows. The board decided that it would not be fair to give out awards to only a portion of our membership and as result voted to suspend the program for 2020. While there will be a reduction in awards, we do look forward to the opportunity to reach even more of our members by offering our annual membership meeting and other conference activities virtually this year."
ASHA still will be offering major awards and offering a portion of its annual youth programs. The association is eager to bring back a full slate of award programs and member activities for the 2021 competition season.
Nominate ASHA members for these Major Awards Today:
-- via ASHA