Welcome and Thank you
I would like to welcome all members to the 2009 AGM. Sadly, I was not able to attend this year due to a conflict with schedules here, and also influences due to the economic crises. I know that Terry is putting on a fantastic AGM and I am so sad that I am missing all the fun and all of you. I treasure all of my friendships with members of the Curly Community, from all walks and as Lene Jensen can tell you, I do try to be at every event possible. So, I offer my apologies for only being able to send this note to you.
I would like to thank Terry for taking on the AGM this year, as he mentioned, “it’s like planning a wedding!” We all know how that is, and so I am very grateful for his dedication and the time and effort he took out to provide this year’s AGM. I am so sorry that I could not thank him personally. In addition, I would like to thank those participating in the inspections, Sandy, Carrie and Donna for assisting in a successful AGM. Also, I feel it is very important to thank all board members and staff for their selfless dedication to the ICHO, without their volunteer help we would be lost. Thanks go to: Tina Estridge, Bunny Reveglia, Jackie Richardson and Lene Jensen for all the work they do to keep the office running, the deposits in order, and the registrations completed. Thank you ladies for all your years of service. Next I would like to thank Jesse Zimpel, Sandra Hendrickson, Carrie Freeland, Andrea Schaap, Terry Schmidt, Donna Hedicke, Jackie Richardson, Lisa Perry and Annie Waldow for being board members.
With that said, I would like to provide you with information regarding the status of the ICHO for our members.
Year of ChangeIt has been a busy year of change. The end of 2008 began with the election of new members to the board. Members that previously had no involvement. This was a very good thing as it brought fresh blood, new ideas and enthusiasm to board and staff. Of course, there are always adjustment periods, but we all managed very well. The new year then began full of enthusiasm. Our first board meeting, we dealt with challenges of working on modern ways to communicate (the online forum was used for a board meeting, with some resistance and some success – it is certainly much easier to organize topics than yahoo and keeps records better), we worked on finances and on a balanced budget (the budget discussions being intense but successfully providing a solid budget for 2009), on providing more services for members such as awards, inspections, shows and financial support for those attending breed demos or young riders, and we were forced to face several new challenges:
· The economy
· Long-time members with life changes affecting their abilities to contribute to the ICHO
· Facing the transition from one generation to the next with respect to leadership
In the face of these challenges, we have worked carefully, slowly but steadily to provide continuity, stability and accountability. In this sense it may seem as if the board were a bit withdrawn, however it is crucial that these steps be taken carefully in order to provide the membership with continued high quality service and more intense support for all our members in the future.
Challenges facedWe have also had many accomplishments this year. Sandy Hendrickson will be telling you about Shows and Awards, the Show participation with highlights like the Breyer Fest has been phenomenal and a great boost to awareness about the Curly Horse. In addition, inspections were up this year and have provided owners and breeders with feedback, learning opportunities and knowledge, this service has become more popular and is culminating this year with a gaited inspection at that AGM! In addition to these accomplishments we have:
· Added international affiliates to the ICHO bring a new dimension to the Curly Horse community in: Sweden, France and Norway. Horses registered in affiliations are recognized in the ICHO and their inspection values can be added to the ICAMS database. Through this model, we can assist in tracking horses world-side, provide information on inspection scores from country to country to help in breed genesis a main goal of the ICAMS program.
· Supported the development of the BLM Curly Association, whose phenomenal work saved the lives of several Curly Mustangs brought in via the BLM roundups. Blood samples were taken for research work, and adoptive homes found to place these beautiful animals. I am so proud that the ICHO could immediately get involved, assist with funding and also provide a means to raise charity funds for this project. Thanks go to Mitch Wilkinson, Terry Schmidt and Mary Pelkey for doing the hard groundwork, and to all those who adopted Curly Mustangs, and those who provided their monetary support to make it happen. This is what the ICHO is all about, preserving the Curly Horse.
· Supported the formation of the Smooth Coat Association. A very important part of Curly Horse breeding is the smooth coat. With an estimated number of 18-25% of curly coated to curly coated breedings, the smooth coat is a major player in maintaining the Curly Horse genetic pool. With so many individual owners seeing more and more unusual coat patterns in smooth coat curlies, it is wonderful to support this very significant interest. Myself having smooth coats, observations are varied and the Smooth Coat Association is there to investigate the traditional assumptions and work toward gathering evidence to determine what is going on genetically with hypoallergenic smooth coated Curly Horses.
· Approved a Budget. This is easier said than done, but thanks to the assistance of Andrea Schaap, Tina Estridge, Bunny Reveglia, and myself a Budget was decided upon. To date, costs from the office staff and Gazette printing however have placed us about 1,000.00 USD over budget. We have reserves and this is not a problem, and are now working toward adjusting the budget for next year, as well as improvement in all areas with respect to expenses and income.
· Embryo Implants were approved and will be recognized with proper vet confirmation and DNA.
· Selected a liaison for the Curly Horse Rescue, through this liaison, Carrie Freeland, several horses were rescued via Carries selfless efforts to drive horses all over the US, to take on rescues herself and to assist in networking. It is a great way for the ICHO to support the very necessary and excellent job the Curly Horse Rescue does. I personally want to thank Carrie for all her effort.
· Placed an ad in Horses Illustrated for the December issue. We were contacted by HI about advertising as they were running an article on Curly Horses. Although last time breeders were given the opportunity to place individual ads with the ICHO ad, it was decided that with the short notice we received that a fair opportunity could not be given to all members (due to being unable to communicate quickly enough with non-online members, for example) to rather place an ad that represents the entire membership of the ICHO. The ad incorporates the values that members of the ICHO feel are important: saving the wild Curly Mustangs, working toward quality and better understanding through inspections, and finally riding a usable horse. The ad also presents the mystery of the Curly Horse through its legends and relates that the legend of the Curly Horse carries on through the feats and stories happening each and every day by Curly owners and riders all over the world. The ad was well received by the designer at HI, giving it high praise for its quality and content. Several members also commented that they liked the idea of advertising for the whole membership and promoting the ICHO.
· New judges were approved for inspections for a probational period.
We are also facing several new challenges as the year comes to a close. Several of our board and staff members are facing life-changes. This means that their contributions to the ICHO are coming to a close, either temporarily or permanently, it is hard to say. Tina Estridge, our faithful and dedicated office person is making a move to South Dakota, and finding it an appropriate time to begin anew, an exciting and invigorating opportunity. In a very tough decision, Tina has decided to relinquish her office position. It is of course with sadness that the board has now begun to look for new office staff, at the same time we wish Tina all the best in her future. Presently, applications for office staff are being considered. In addition to Tina, there are changes with respect to both Andrea Schaap, who has taken a leave of absence, and we are working on getting support for Ellen Bancroft and the Gazette.
New members involvedAs these challenges are faced, new faces and new energy is needed. The ICHO board has kept this in mind and brought in three new members to the board:
· Karen Zierler (that’s me!) Initially I was selected to be Region 8, and then lead the Research Council, in a very short time I was then elected to president, I accepted with the stipulation that older board members are there to assist me. This situation has been working out, and I have learned a great deal. With a reelection just this month, I hope to now use what I have learned to bring more life and activity to the ICHO. Sadly, due to the duties of the presidency and the international committee, the Research Council has been neglected. I have worked to try and find a replacement, my suggestions were Mitch Wilkinson and/or Paul Dennis. I have not yet convinced them however!
· Carrie Freeland – Carrie was also selected as a Region board member and found herself in the Shows and Awards committee and Promotions. Carrie is a very active and involved member with a ton of energy. This kind of involvement is a blessing. With time these new beginnings will grow, we have already had loads of representation, and as more individually get involved, various aspects of Curly Types, Riding Types, and Conformation Types can be presented as a representation of the entire ICHO.
· Louise Parker – a new member to the Curly Community, Louise is located in the UK, in Wales, and has put together a herd of curlies. She is working on developing the first Curly Association in the UK and has a lot of experience in business. Louise has kindly offered to bring her experience to the position of Secretary. Louise has a great deal of positive energy wrapped up in a professional package and we are grateful to have her express interest in getting involved.
The FutureICHO’s future holds strong new developments further promoting the Curly Horse, discovering new insights, and developing a high quality Curly to attain breed genesis, the Curly we all know the world can be proud. Together in North America and across the globe, Curly owners coming together blending tradition with fresh new perspectives are all dedicated to the fair, open and forward looking promotion of the North American Curly Horse and are working to develop more involvement, more infrastructure to support services and events for ICHO members.
Presently in development are the following concepts, these are not all inclusive as developments are happening all over in small groups and large:
· Trail rides across the US and EU for charity
· Database for ICAMS/NACHIP also incorporating affiliation horses
· Judges Certificate program for judges applying to be certified for inspections
· Overhaul and advancement of the Gazette for better communication, more information including articles, board information, publication of the minutes, improved content and improvement as a vehicle for advertising
· Incorporation of membership ads into a packet for both online and Gazette
· Overhaul of parts of the website to streamline and improve design for ease of navigation
· Expand shows, events and awards programs for all Curly enthusiasts including cooperation with other associations/registries
· Work toward an encompassing database allowing members to research more information, containing more horses and registry info, and incorporating membership info to facilitate faster service
· Increase support for special interest groups (associations)
· Improve/Increase the work of the Research Council: presently a project for the database listed above with coat information is proposed by Jenn, Bunny’s experiments have been written up
Wrap upThe ICHO was conceived by strong individuals carrying a torch of quality, equality and forward vision for Curly Horses and their owners, breeders and fans. To be involved in the process of slowly and carefully handing that torch to a new generation, one full of excitement, desire and dedication to a bright future is a great honor. Joining others across the world, what began 10 years ago as a small group, now reaches across the globe, and with the torches being lit here, there and everywhere, the ICHO has an enormous potential to provide great momentum as a connective source and resource assisting those of all ages and interests worldwide. Working together with established members, traditions are cared for and progression is made.
I wish everyone a successful meeting and hope that from the AGM 2009 everyone takes a little torch in the hand away with them. We are looking for volunteers for various tasks, if you are interested in getting involved to help craft and promote the Curly not just locally, but worldwide, please talk to Terry, Sandy, Donna or Carrie at the meeting. Thank you all so much for letting me be a part of this great wonder, the North American Curly Horse and a part of you all.
~Karen Zierler
ICHO President
