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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
When AHOF was organized in 1956, the mission was to meet the unmet needs of the Arabian Horse Community. When we became recognized by the IRS as a non-profit foundation, we focused on education and from that came the W. R. Brown memorial library and the Arabian museum in Maryland. The first Arabian judging schools, the first Arabian Horse Racing, the first Arabian Action Shows followed.
For more than 20 years, AHOF hosted an annual "Think Tank" bringing together breeders, exhibitors and leaders of the community to identify and propose solutions to pressing needs of the Arabian breed.After careful consideration, we have narrowed our focus to concentrate on breeding and education. Our investigation has revealed a need for basics of management and husbandry. More than 5,000 new people have started new activity with Arabian horses in the past three years.
 Our first venture was a Breeders Seminar at Michigan State University in April. More than sixty people from around the US and Canada gathered to learn and network with other breeders and students. Beginning with lectures on Form to Function featuring Dr. John Shelle and Scot Benjamin utilizing a skeleton of an Arabian horse and live horses from the MSU herd. A breeder's panel was made up of Mrs. Sigi Constanti, Dr. James Rooker, Dr Cory Soltau and myself. Cynthia Richardson gave a marketing presentation. A panel of past and present students at MSU explored the future of their education. We have committed to continue the MSU Breeders Seminars for at least the next 2 Years.
We are now in the planning stages of a new breeding seminar to be offered in November at Al-Marah Arabians. Presenters will explain their path to developing their own programs. Emphasis will be on developing a vision and a plan for breeding for the long term. We are looking for more venues to present AHOF Breeder's Seminars. I was very fortunate to be able to represent AHOF at the opening of the new Arabian Horse Galleries at the Kentucky Horse Park in June. The AHOF collection is now in a permanent location.
Bruce Clark, President
Michigan State University
Spartan Spectacular
April 2011
As part of our back to basics program, AHOF is sponsoring the Spartan Spectacular at Michigan State University. We are committed to work with MSU to develop the Breeder’s Seminar program for at least three years. We expect a complete curriculum program to become available.
These seminars focus on fundamental breeding questions to help Arabian horse owners develop their own vision and goals. We stress the difference between reproducing horses and long range programs. We cover everything from evaluation of your horse, defining its faults and strengths then making appropriate breeding selections.
We call on experienced breeders from all bloodlines, veterinarians and researchers to deliver our message.
The Arabian Horse Owners Foundation is a non-profit foundation recognized under the
IRS Code 501.c.3
For the past fifty years, our goals have been educational and charitable, filling the unmet needs of the Arabian horse community.
Membership is open to all who love the Arabian horse and all contributions beyond the membership fee are tax deductible.
Members of AHOF are encouraged to furnish ideas and comments directly to:
Bruce Clark, President — email: wbruceclark@aol.com
Howard Shenk, Executive Director — email: ahof001@aol.com
Together we can make a difference!
(AHOF is a non-profit foundation recognized by the IRS section 501.c.3. Check with your tax advisor for tax deductions advice.) |
