2012 IBHA Convention highlights....

ENTHUSIASM seemed to be the theme to this year's Convention. Committee members from 13 states arrived in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 14 ready to do their jobs. Thursday morning the workshops began and continued throughout the day. Each Committee met and discussed their agendas for the next days meetings. Please take a look at the list of committees on the "contact" page and congratulate your fellow members for their support to you and IBHA. An ad hoc committee was formed to propose standards and rules for the newly developed "Dun A Rama" shows. There was much enthusiasm from the members on this concept and many expressed a desire to be on this committee. After careful consideration a committee was formed and went straight to work brainstorming their ideas. Thursday evening IBHA President Mike Bade (pictured at left) welcomed everyone to the Welcome Reception. He then introduced the Charter Club Presidents that were present, along with Miss Buckskin World Candy Munz and the charter club queens that were on hand.

The open meetings were held on Friday, with each committee having a formal meeting. Again you could feel the enthusiasm in the air. The addition of three walk-trot classes to the World Show was discussed. These classes will be included in the Youth Team Tournament for points. Their will also be belt buckles provided by the Youth Committee for the first and second place winners in the walk trot classes, as well as trophies for the other placing participants provided by S & G Quarter Horses. The queens were up next and Candy introduced the committee and each contestant. The girls then gave a short bio on themselves. Members were asked earlier in the day to write a question for the contestants and each girl randomly picked one and gave their answer. It was a great way to get to know the contestants. Watch the "queens" page for more information on the 2012 IBHA queen contestants this summer. The Abuse and Illegals Committee proposed and passed proper penalties for rule infractions. The last business of the day was from the World Show and World Sale Committees. The World Show brochures were handed out and the judges announced. The members were informed of the revisions which can be found on the World Show page. There will be a Warm Up show on July 31 with 4 judges and NSBA classes. The World Show will be August 1-4 with a $1000.00 added 2 Yr Old Western Pleasure Challenge.

President Bade started the Saturday sessions with his Presidents Address. He discussed at length the state of IBHA, along with other Associations, and the steps that are being taken to stay solid in this economy. IBHA has provided many opportunities over the last few year's to entice new registrations and memberships. The half point system was implemented to give the exhibitors more chances to accumulate points. The Registration Seminar was created to allow members to accept IBHA eligible horse registrations on the show grounds. The addition of leadline and walk-trot classes was accepted to entice the younger members into the show ring. IBHA has also developed a new leasing program for the youth and amateur exhibitors. In addition to the above changes the office has been searching for the solid colored buckskins in the other Color Breeds to inform them of their options to register and show in both associations. After this update Mr Bade then introduced all the standing committees along with this year's additions.

The Registration Seminar that was instigated two years proved to be a success so on Saturday morning that seminar was repeated. Many of the charter clubs have taken advantage of this program and 27 people have been certified to accept IBHA registration applications on the show grounds. This brought many new horses to the shows and provided additional points to the contestants. After a power point presentation on the registration acceptance and process, attendees were then tested on their knowledge. This year 6 more people passed the test to help their charters. Congratulations to Pattie Baughman, Candace Munz, Julia Shaw, Susan Skovsende, Tina Vincent and Jenna Vsetecka!

Saturday evening started out with the semi-annual Youth Scholarship Fund auction. Many wonderful baskets were donated by individual members as well as charter clubs, along with a wide range of items. The attendees were enthusiastic and bid in good fun against each other. See the scholarship page for the amounts collected and this year's scholarship recipients. Before dinner Sam Mitchell of Utah (pictured left) asked for a moment of silence for Bob Zoarsky, who's horse is in the Hall Of Fame, and all others who have passed away. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony began after dinner. This year's inductees were Virginia Lancaster, Laurie Kristoff and PINOCHAS PANDA. The presentation as presented is on the Hall Of Fame page. The awards presentations then went on to acknowledge the Honor Roll and Reserve Honor Roll winners, Superior Event and Supreme Championship earners, the AQHA alliance trophies and the annual Claire Steppe award. The complete list of 2011 Honor Roll winners are on the "Point Standings" page, as are the Superior and Supreme awards. Congratulation to all members on their achievements in 2011! With the awards all handed out it was now time to celebrate. The DJ started the music and fun was had by all. Many of the members danced enthusiastically into the night until the party had to end. This was a wonderful convention to attend and if you missed it you should begin planning for next year!

The IBHA Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Office Staff would like to thank all of the attendees, and especially the Committee Members who put a lot of their time and personal expenses into attending the Convention. This Association is where its at because of the commitment of our members!