2010 IBHA CONVENTION

March 11, 12 & 13 - Clarksville, Indiana

The IBHA Executive Committee and staff want to personally invite you to attend this year’s National Convention. The convention presents the one time that the membership can learn the functions of the association, ask questions, give input, meet some of the IBHA judges and socialize with your peers. See old friends and meet new ones.  All Standing Committee meetings are open to attendees. See your committee in action, see how rules are made, ask questions and give input. The best way to know how and why rules are made is to attend the committee meetings. We are proud to offer another educational interactive session with the very experienced Equine Law attorney for membership benefit. Help celebrate with the Honor Roll Award earners. These are your peers. Participate in the Youth Scholarship Auction. Approximately $200,000.00 has been awarded to deserving youth. Honor the judges that have continuous years of judging IBHA shows. Mingle with your family of buckskin people. Meet the Executives, they are just like you and came up through ranks.  We all look forward to seeing you in Clarksville. Thank You. 

MEMBERSHIP INTERACTIVE SESSION AT IBHA CONVENTION  In maintaining a format of providing education regarding the equine industry, this year’s IBHA Convention will present a session titled “A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO AVOID LEGAL LIABILITIES FOR EQUINE OWNERS AND PROFESSIONALS”.  

Whether you own one horse or operate a training and boarding facility, you need to hear what attorney Casey Eckert has to say about the potential legal liabilities you face and, more importantly, what you can do to reduce or eliminate those risks!  With over 20 years of experience in the horse industry, Casey offers a unique perspective into the application and ramifications of laws to the equine industry.  Do you know whether your homeowner's insurance policy covers damages to someone injured while riding on your property?  Do you have a liability release and does it have a good chance of being upheld by a court of law?  Do you know what the requirements are to be covered by your state's equine activity statute?  Are your workers properly classified as employees or independent contractors?  Do you know the benefits of using a sale contract?  Casey will cover the answers to these questions, and many more!  Casey will provide you with easy to understand information and helpful tips to protect your assets and ensure the future success of your hobby and/or business.  

Casey is the founder of the Equine Law practice at Bingham McHale LLP, located in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Casey advises equine owners and professionals in all areas of employment law and general liability concerns.  Casey has expertise drafting boarding agreements, training agreements, breeding contracts, waiver and liability releases and other related agreements.  Casey is currently an Adjunct Professor teaching Equine Law at Purdue University-Calumet.  If you would like more information, please contact Casey directly at (317) 968-5491 or ceckert@binghammchale.com. 

2010 IBHA CONVENTION SCHEDULE

2010 IBHA CONVENTION REGISTRATION

The 2009 IBHA Convention was held March 11-14 at the Holiday Inn, Lakeview in Clarksville, Indiana. This year’s convention attendees brought with them the most ever thoughts, comments and ideas. Workshops and meetings were very productive resulting in many constructive changes. Several attendees volunteered to serve on committees resulting in various committee changes. A complete listing is on the IBHA home page.    It was proposed and approved to allow IBHA judges to receive credit for attending the AQHA judge’s seminar. This should give a bit of a financial relief to our judges while they are still getting the educational benefits. Another possible financial benefit to IBHA members would be adding a ½ point to the system. As of this writing IBHA is investigating the feasibility of this proposal and will keep the members updated.

This year IBHA was fortunate to have an exceptional panel of speakers. Coming out of retirement for our event was Mr. Don Burt. Joining Don was Mr. Don Manuallo and Mr. Bennie Sargent. These three gentlemen were incredible at sharing their vast knowledge and experience with the attendees. Pictured at left is Kim Maxwell, Don Burt, Carly Kidner, Bennie Sargent, Joanna Gunn, Don Manuallo and Kyla Wilkerson.

The three long days of workshops, meetings and clinicians were topped off with the Awards banquet. As usual the scholarship auction had many nice donated items. Following dinner was the first ever installations to the IBHA Hall of Fame. Look elsewhere in this issue for articles on the YSF Scholarship Fund and the IBHA Hall of Fame. Then the IBHA judge’s service awards were given. On hand to receive their awards for 20 years of continuous service were Terry Kendall, Ron Strefling and Eugene Zimmermann.

Next, the IBHA Honor Roll, Superior Event, Supreme Champion and AQHA awards were handed out. Unfortunately NSBA had decided to withdraw their alliance trophies so IBHA members did not receive those awards. However, last year there were 3 Supreme Championships earned by SCOTCH WHISKY LOOK, Mary Beth Ellis owner, REBECCA BENCSIK/DUN WITH THERAPY & KIMBERLY MAXWELL/PEANUT BRITTLE ZIP. Don Burt had the honors of presenting the AQHA awards to the following recipients: All Around Horse THE CLASSIC ROCK, Catherine Firn owner; All Around Youth KRISTEN J LUCZAK/LEGIONS OF ANGELS and All Around amateur CATHERINE FIRN/THE CLASSIC ROCK. Congratulations to all the award winners!!