International Friesian Show Horse Association

On 7/31/2008, at the IFSHA Board of Directors meeting the motion was made to have IFSHA conduct the IFSHA board seat electoral process, and to hire a disinterested professional to audit the IFSHA board seat electoral process was passed by majority as follows:

Gareth Selwood (Cannot vote unless there is a tie)
Lance Bennett (Motion)
Sandra Surber (Seconded Motion)
Ronald Goldman (Absent)
Deb Goldmann (Absent)
Kimberly Ramirez (Yes)
Jennifer Wells (Yes)
_____________________________________________________________
We will be utilizing the following procedures for electing the new directors,
and the appointment of the new officers. IFSHA Directors to be Retired in 2008:

Ms. Deb Goldmann
Mr. Ronald Goldman
Ms. Kimberly Ramirez
Ms. Jennifer Wells

Applying for a Director position: All IFSHA members in good standing interested in running for one of the director positions are encouraged to submit a one page resume of their qualifications and vision for IFSHA. These nomination applications are due no later than August 15, 2008. All applications should be submitted to IFSHA by mail: 507 Broad Street, Suite 121, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, fax: 262-249-8996, or e-mail: ifsha@friesianshowhorse.org. All candidates interested in running for one of the open director positions will be included on the ballot and their resumes will be posted on the IFSHA website. All members should contact IFSHA to make sure that IFSHA has their current e-mail and mailing address.

Ballot Mailing: Ballots will be issued by IFSHA on or before August 31, 2008, to all voting members of record as of August 15, 2008. Only signed ballots received by the IFSHA appointed auditor / disinterested third party postmarked by September 15th will be counted. The identities of the new directors will be communicated released on the IFSHA Website on or before October 1, 2008.

Appointment of New Directors and Officer Vote: Once the new directors have been elected and introduced to the IFSHA membership on November 1, 2008, the directors will vote on the election of officers. Each individual will have the opportunity to submit their candidacy for President, once the candidates have been identified, a vote will take place, the candidate with the most votes will assume the office of President, this same
process will be followed for each of the remaining offices.

Respectfully submitted,

The International Friesian Show Horse Association

Friesian Opportunity Classes:
For the first time this year we are experiencing "some" of the horse shows changing from "A" rated Friesian Division classes, or newly offering "Friesian Opportunity" classes. It also appeared that many Friesian competitors did not know that the status of classes changed in 2008, and many had thought that "Opportunity Classes were Open to All Breeds, and not breed specific". It is our understanding that USEF created these classes to nurture people into the horse show environment and are considered to be the equivalent of an exhibition type class.

When auditing the 2008 IFSHA Annual Awards program points entered by members, one of the IFSHA auditors noted when checking back to the premiums that class titles denoted "Opportunity". IFSHA contacted the USEF to find out - how the USEF is treating these classes, as the IFSHA awards program did not have a provision to accept them.

In this case, the USEF responded that "Friesian Opportunity" classes - do not count for The USEF Friesian Horse of the Year program. Therefore since IFSHA did not have a provision for "Opportunity" classes we would follow the USEF and not allow the points in our 2008 program either.

When the auditor and I contacted the IFSHA members to let them know that their Opportunity Classes that they entered into the awards program would not count for USEF and/or IFSHA 2008 awards programs, we found it very disconcerting that most of the IFSHA membership affected did not know that the classes did not count for anything, and that the membership had already spent a lot of money showing, and at least 5 junior competitors were directly affected negatively.

This problem as well as the negative impact on IFSHA membership was presented to the IFSHA Board of Directors on 7-31-08. On 7-31-08, The IFSHA Board unanimously voted to allow the points acquired in the 2008 show season at USEF licensed shows, "Friesian Opportunity Classes" as "C" rated points to be allowed into the 2008 IFSHA awards program.

Note: This will only be allowed for 2008 show year, this accommodation will not be afforded in 2009. If this is a concern to you and you would prefer to not show in Opportunity classes in 2009, please contact your show manager directly to express your concerns.

Open English Pleasure Walk/Trot/Canter Classes:
On 7-31-08 Mr. Selwood voiced the concerns of another IFSHA Awards program member complaint with regard to IFSHA not accepting classes titled Open English Pleasure W/T/C. The reason why IFSHA has not accepted these classes in the current and past Open to All Breed division of the IFSHA awards program was because it did not define a specific discipline - the 2008 IFSHA Open awards program is divided by discipline specifics.

On 7-31-08 The IFSHA Board of Directors unanimously voted to offer in the 2009 IFSHA Open Awards program a new award category called "Open English Pleasure". This new category will be available for the IFSHA membership effective 12-01-08.

This was done to support and reward IFSHA membership at USEF licensed events that may not offer Friesian specific classes, or may not be able to offer as many classes as our membership would like to compete in.

The International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) membership, by majority has voted to have the 2008 IFSHA Grand National & World Championship show at Lake St. Louis, MO on October 30th, through November 2, 2008. It is anticipated at this point in order to better accommodate our Open dressage competitors that the show will be extended from 4 to 5 days. The date change from last years show was done to specifically not conflict with your breed registry calendared inspections. In order to further assist our joint membership, the Friesian registries have been invited to hold inspections at the same location along with the show.

This year holds a very special meaning to us, as the show will be held as a Memorial Event in honor of IFSHA's Founder Dr. Genevieve de Montremare. Beyond the Memorial program, the IFSHA "Founders" Trophy will be re-fashioned to represent the FPS Approved Stallions that she brought to the United States, Anne, Bonne, Melle, Wicher & Yk - and will be awarded to the individual that has best served the Friesian Horse in the United States as Dr. De Montremare did in 2008. IFSHA is also planning to offer "Specialty Get of Sire - In-hand" classes for each respective stallion so as to "Cameo" the offspring - the legacy that Genevieve has left in her passing. New this year, IFSHA will be offering "Open Get of Sire" class, as well as a Stallion Parade featuring Stallions representing the Friesian organizations recognized by IFSHA.

Each year IFSHA has had the fortune of having stallion owners donate a breeding from their stallion to help fund the IFSHA Grand Nationals & World Competition. Hosting events like these are very costly and run upwards of 80 - 100,000.00. Your contributions to this point have been crucial to the success of this endeavor which promotes and rewards the Friesian horse in USEF recognized competition.

In the past these donated Stallion breeding's were presented and sold to the public by virtue of silent auction by which the buyer could call in bids by phone or write down bids in person. We have found that this process did not give our stallion owners as much publicity as we would have liked, nor as large of an audience. In order to give our stallion breeding's as much exposure as possible, to as many people as possible, IFSHA will now be offering the donated stallion breeding's for auction "on-line via www.HorseDigests.com".

We hope that by offering this newer technology to promote your contribution to fund raising will be successful in featuring your gift as well as offering you a new venue to market your stallion(s). Also by using www.HorseDigests.com your stallions will be featured for a much longer period of time, which is really based on when we receive your stallion contract and promotional materials. Please note: IFSHA is not a 501(c)(3), therefore we recommend that you consult with your accountant to determine if your donation is tax deductible.

Interested individuals should contact Tammy Hildreth at thefishdoc@aol.com, or call 951-677-9477 PST. In order to expedite the process, please have available your stallions photo, narrative of accomplishments, owner contact information, your web-site, pedigree - registry paperwork, your breeding contract - reflecting the donation of the stud fee, clearly stating any fees that would be associated with the breeding to your stallion. It is also very important to note whether the semen is available as fresh cooled, frozen, on-farm AI, or all the above.

We greatly appreciate your participation at whatever level possible, and look forward to your continued support with this mutually beneficial endeavor.

Regards,

Tammy Hildreth for

International Friesian Show Horse Association Show Committee

www.friesianshowhorse.com

"Promoting the Friesian Bred Horse in Recognized Competition"

[07/06/2004] The International Friesian Show Horse Association was officially recognized as the only USEF representative for the Friesian bred horse on July 6, 2004, by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). During the same USEF board of directors meeting, the Friesian bred horse recognition application made by IFSHA was approved.

The competition rules and regulations that will be enforced by the USEF at USEF recognized horse shows, and USDF/USEF recognized Friesian breed dressage competitions will be reviewed by the USEF Executive Committee on July 20, 2004.

In the near future, The USEF Friesian Committee, which is composed of the Chairpersons of the IFSHA rules committees, a licensed equine DVM, and two IFSHA Directors will meet with the USEF to assure successful implementation of the competition rules and regulations that guide exhibitors in USEF recognized competitions.

On an ongoing basis the USEF Friesian Committee members will meet quarterly with the representatives of the USEF. The intent is to assure that the competition rules and regulations that guide Friesian exhibitors at USEF recognized shows, and USDF recognized Friesian Breed shows are breed appropriate, and continue to afford protection for the horse, while offering the exhibitor a level playing field.

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