NEWS

The American Saddlebred Horse Association Horse Show Task Force (HSTF) begins its work this week to examine and provide recommendations to support horse shows with an added duty of increasing participation to underrepresented areas. 

“If we’re going to grow our industry, we must increase exposure across the country,” said David Mount, ASHA executive director. "That’s why ASHA added addressing the needs of underrepresented areas as a key component of the work by the Horse Show Task Force."

Along with this new responsibility, the group also will examine a tiered horse show governance option, expanding marketing and establishing a grant program for struggling horse shows. The HSTF, chaired by Kristen Cater and Owen Weaver, will provide a preliminary report in late October 2019, and final report in December 2019, to the ASHA Board of Directors in advance of the 2020 show season. 

The HSTF members are: Kristen Cater Co-Chair (NH), Owen Weaver Co-Chair (VA), Kristen Bagdasarian (KY), Allen Bosworth (SC), Sandy Currier (TX), Sarah Foy (NH), Bob Funkhouser (MA), Melissa Moore (KY), Christy Parker (GA), Cliff Paulsen (IA), Helen Roy (CA) and David Rudder (KY).  The Task Force will work directly with a group of horse show industry consultants that include Sandy Backer (KY), R.H. Bennett (KY), Vicky Holston (WI), Scarlett Mattson (KY), Yvonne McCarthy (KS), Kelly McFaul (KS), Kent Moeller (KY), Carrie Mortensen (VT), Mary Jo Schmidt (FL) and Beth Snider (KY).

-- via ASHA