Amateur Presidents Message

August 2018

Greetings PHBA Amateurs Members

It is a midway point in the Amateur Board year and therefore it is time to take a moment and reflect on the last six months particularly in light of the completion of our 2018 Palomino World Show.  Our amateurs were well represented across all divisions at the world show.   For those that attended, participated or watched on line, we hope you enjoyed yourself.  The world show, like the convention provides a great opportunity to meet one another, support one another and share ideas. {MORE}

Amateur Presidents Message

My name is Carmen O’Donnell.  I am the newly appointed President of the PHBA Amateur Association.  I have been a member of PHBA for over 30 years.  I would like the introduce you to our 2024-2025 Amateur Board:  Past President Helen Fleming (Mississippi), President Elect Susie Arbo (Missouri), Vice President Alisa Wold (Minnesota), Vice President Ashley Meeks (Wisconsin), Treasurer Michelle Kelley (Tennessee), Secretary Lisa Eilkenberry (Indiana). Our three appointees are Alecia Heinz (Iowa), Shelley Tooley (Wisconsin) and Perri Williams (Mississippi).

My goals as president include promoting the Amateur Association while increasing membership and helping promote PHBA.  I would ask all the amateurs to pick at least one show circuit to show at outside your home APA. With rising costs of facilities and associated costs, a lot of APA’s are struggling.  Bring a friend.

The national convention was held in March.  Delegates from all over this nation traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the business of helping PHBA move forward in the equine industry. Proposed rule changes were addressed both in committees and at the board of directors meeting.  The results will then go to the Executive Board for review. Those approved will be implemented in 2025.  The evening activities included good food, music and dancing, silent and live auctions.  Mr Wayne Williams of “Speaking of Horses” was there and filmed portions of the activities.  Thank you so much Mr. Williams.

The Executive Board has reworked both the corporate and class sponsorship program to make it possible for everyone to participate and I encourage all of our members to go to the website to read the changes and participate. At $150 per class, it puts it within reach of most of us. Go out and talk to your fellow members and those you do business with and see if they will do a sponsorship.

The PHBA World show is coming up soon. Watch the website for deadlines and get those entry forms ready.  Three months to go!

Spring is almost here.  Better weather is on the horizon.  No more blankets to take off and on.  Social media is full of new four-legged babies, and I hope to see all these palomino and palomino bred babies at the world show. Get those horses ready, get those health papers updated, and get that truck and trailer serviced.

Someone once said we have two families: the one we are born into and the one we choose for ourselves.  PHBA is a welcoming family-oriented association.  A youth can show anyone’s horse in the youth classes.  Their family does not have to own the horse. (Exception: youth cannot exhibit a stallion in a youth class).  If you know of a youth that could do it, load them up and go show.  If you are at a show and see a new face, introduce yourself and offer a helping hand when needed, make them feel welcome. If you are at a non-PHBA event, tell them about us, encourage them to visit a show and buy a membership.

We are bound together by our love for the palomino horse.  That golden hair color, white mane and tail with eyes that could melt butter. Be safe, good luck and hope to see you down the road.