December Amateur Presidents Letter

Greetings to all you Kansas amateurs.

As we wrap up the year, I wanted to congratulate all those KAQHA members who had
a successful 2008 year with their fine equine friends. If you look through our
show results and the KQHA website you'll find many Kansas amateurs had all sorts
of wonderful accomplishments this year. Many traveled the country to the large
circuits with outstanding successes. Several Kansas amateurs made their way to
the various World shows and Congresses held this year and were named World and
Congress winners. Quite a few of you supported our shows in Kansas, doing well
and will receive wonderful year end awards. Take a look, our Kansas amateurs
did well in many different events. I think it's great to see so much talent
from Kansas !

I would like to encourage you to attend our annual convention in Wichita this
year. HEY EVERYONE, it's in WICHITA!!!! YEA! Wichita is an easy city for
many to come to. Just like Topeka there are things to do should you decide to
come for the whole weekend ! Our KQHA/KAQHA/KYQHA people work hard to put on
these conventions , so come have some fun. Saturdays are always the big days,
with the general meetings in the mornings/afternoons, the awards in the
afternoon and the big dinner at night. Don't forget they have the silent
auctions with the proceeds going to all 3 groups depending on what you fancy !!!
You can bring items to add to any table and also purchase items.

A quick look at 2008.

Our amateur group held it's own this year. We moved our show to Wichita and
moved it up to May. You never know how things go when you do this but Shannon
Justice and Sue Nickel came through for us. Please THANK them when you see them.
They did everything in their power to make the show as big a success as they
could. They will continue for us in 2009. They can always use volunteers,
ALWAYS. So, give them a call (at any time) and they will hook you up with a
job!

Once again we participated in Equifest in February and the South Central show at
the end of May. Both these events took hits this year from the economy (as did
many things), but we did our best. We also took part in the trailer raffle and
managed to obtain a small piece of revenue.

We should thank Sandy Zwick, Karen Russell and everyone who puts on the
Hutchinson show in May. They work hard and when they make a profit (small or
large) they look for groups to donate money. This year our amateur organization
was given $300 from their small profit.

As we close this year, we have come to the possibility that changes may need to
be made to our group. Changes can be good things and generally they work better
with lots of people's ideas and input. If you have read your November
newsletter or been on the website you will see a request to change the amateur
by laws. Please take the time to read it through. This is just one idea of a
change. We have had several suggestions including a possibility of disbanding
the group. You may have a better idea???? I would encourage any of you out
there to come and have your voice be heard in our general amateur meeting.

Many of you have new horsey friends for next year. Several will be teaming up
again with their equines of this show season. I hope we'll be seeing all you in
the winners circles of 2009 !!!

Happy Holidays to all of you and your families.

Leslie