COMING UP NEXT

March 24: Region 16 Spring Meeting, Latham, NY
April 7: Leprechaun Leap AVS, Skaneateles, NY
May 3-5: Empire State 50th Annual Arabian Spring Show, Syracuse, NY
May 24-26: Elmira Arabian & Sport Horse Concurrent Show, Horseheads, NY
June 7-9: Eastern Classic, Hamburg, NY
July 1-6: Region 15 & 16 Championships, Lexington, VA
October 11-13: Elmira Arabian Fall Finale Concurrent Show, Horseheads, NY

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

From the Director’s Desk

January 1, 2022

Greetings to all Region 16 Members and Arabian horse enthusiasts,

As I personally reflect on the 2021 year, many of our members have endured significant change, loss, joy and success. One thing we all have in common is the bond we share in our love of the Arabian Horse.

Resilience was the theme of the 2021 year in the Arabian industry and I couldn’t agree more. We are unique, strong individuals that always find a way and I am proud to be your Region 16 Director.

In 2021, our region remained strong with well attended Arabian competitions, strong participation at the Community Outreach/Local level with parades, Meet the Arabian Horse open barns, the return of Arabian Horses to Equine Affaire after a hiatus, robust Youth participation locally and nationally, coordinated trail rides and the list goes on and on.

When thinking of a theme for this year for Region 16 to embody the letter “V” comes to mind. We are Visionaries. We are Vivacious. We are Valuable. We are Versatile. And, most of all, Volunteers are Valuable! No matter how you enjoy or love your Arabian horse, I encourage all to join a club in Region 16 and become involved.

As we move into 2022, Arabian horses will be represented today in the annual televised Tournament of Roses Parade. Watch for them early in the program as the first horses to be featured – WOW, what a start to 2022!

Here in Region 16 there is much to look forward to in the year ahead. Some dormant events will be back on the agenda, local Region 16 shows are abundant with some exciting changes, and our Youth group is active and on the rise.

Excitement is building around the Region 16 Championship Show with a stellar judging panel announced, attendance commitments rolling in, and exciting new events planned for the week in conjunction with the Region 15 Championship Show at the Virginia Horse Center from July 4-9. Watch for updates on social media, our website and www.Region15and16Championship.com.

There will undoubtedly be hurdles to cross in the year ahead, but I believe that if we remain bonded, we will succeed in creating a Vibrant Arabian Horse community.

Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy New Year!

Sincere Regards,
Cheryl Lane-Caron
Region 16 Director

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October 15, 2021:

Greetings Region 16 AHA members and exhibitors,

The Region 16 AHA Regional Championship Show Committee met on the evening of October 14, and voted in favor of joining forces with Region 15 AHA to run the first-ever dual Regional Championship shows at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, from July 4-9, 2022.

To be clear: this will be two separate shows with their own unique judging panels, and concurrent classes mid-week. We will not lose our identity as Region 16 AHA, and we will continue to celebrate our region throughout the show. Our intention is to have a Region 16 representative on site to address exhibitors needs throughout the show along with the show manager and Region 15 staff.

What does this look like for exhibitors?

• Two high-quality, competitive AHA Regional Championship shows in one beautiful location
• Venue with recent upgrades, such as new footing, Big Ass fans, LED lighting, rubber matted walkways, 24/7 on-site stable office and security, etc.
• One stall fee for both shows
• One hauling fee
• Reduced class fees
• Reduced use of exhibitor vacation time
• Exhibitor special discount thru Choice Hotels
• Open dates on either end to travel, show ends Saturday night
• Expanded class offerings, including hunter over fences, reining, ranch riding and upper level dressage 
• Two sets of judges and awards 
• Main Ring, Dressage, Western Dressage, and Sport Horse Under Saddle classes will run twice – once under each set of judges 
• The individually scored events (Sport Horse In Hand, Reining, Trail, Ranch Riding, & Hunter over Fences) will run concurrently. Both sets of judges will score each go, and will pin Top 5, Reserve & Champion for each region
• Family-friendly destination with historic sites, scenic parkways, and a downtown charm
• Plus plenty of dining venues, craft breweries, wineries, and more!

Fall Meeting Discussion

At the Region 16 AHA Fall Meeting held on October 9, there was much discussion regarding the venue and date options for the 2022 Region 16 AHA Championship Show. As there hadn’t been an option agreed upon by the show committee prior to the meeting, it was brought for discussion amongst the delegates and meeting attendees. Ahead of the meeting, the committee had discussed two options, as there were previously no viable dates available at the venue in Syracuse:

1. The Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA, to be held August 4-7 (overlapping dates with East Coast Championships)
2. A dual Regional Championship show with Region 15 AHA in Lexington, VA, to be held July 4-9

However, during the Fall Meeting, it was brought to the committee’s attention that a possible date had recently opened up in Syracuse, NY, which was clearly an option to consider. As a result, the decision was made to postpone the vote on location and dates for the 2022 show pending a survey of Region 16 AHA members and past show participants, as well as a review of additional financial information on the venue options. The survey was sent out on October 9, and closed at noon on October 14. Updated prices from the Syracuse venue were reviewed alongside the survey results by the Region 16 Championship Show Committee on the evening of October 14.

Regional Championship Show Survey

We sincerely appreciate everyone who took time to complete the Region 16 Championship Show survey. Each and every response was taken into consideration and a data analysis was presented to the show committee (see attached survey data). 

Financial Considerations

The show committee reconvened on October 14 to review the survey data and financials for each venue. At this time, the 2022 price list for the New York State Fairgrounds, under new management, was presented to the show committee. It indicated significant price increases, upwards of 50% for some of the amenities used to host our show. In all, the cost for our region to utilize this venue in 2022 would more than double. Despite the survey preference for this venue and the show committee’s willingness to entertain Syracuse as an option, it was determined that the increased financial expense is not something the region, and our exhibitors, would be able to absorb. 

Based on projected expenditures and revenue for a combined show, it is anticipated that both Region 16 and Region 15 AHAs will be able to financially position themselves in a way that allows them both to continue hosting high quality competitions in the future. Careful consideration of the financials for each venue was a large factor in the final selection to move forward with a co-located show.

Venue Rotation Standing Rule

Many are familiar with our region’s standing rule, which called for a rotation of the regional show location. Based on that 2022 was the year for Springfield, MA. Unfortunately, the only available venue dates fell upon the same dates as the East Coast Championships. As the landscape of the show industry continues to evolve, this standing rule was changed in Spring 2021 to allow the show committee to select a venue outside of the rotation when necessary. This proved to be an instance where that was appropriate.

Committee Vote

Though the survey results suggested that the Syracuse option was the most desirable venue, the substantial increase in fees was deemed to be far too significant for us to take on. As such, the committee voted 8-0-2 in favor of hosting a dual championship show with Region 15 AHA. This is a bold move, but necessary for Region 16 AHA to thrive.  

Change isn’t easy, we understand that. However, change often brings opportunity. Now is the time to be innovative, forward thinking, and engage in new partnerships and ventures. 

We hope you will join us for this exciting ride and look forward to seeing you in Lexington!

If you have questions or comments, please reach out to your club delegate, or to a member of the regional championship show committee listed on the Region 16 Committee page.

Warm Regards, 
Cheryl Lane-Caron
Region 16 Director

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Submit News

Region 16 clubs are encouraged to submit news to be featured here and/or in the AHA Regional Insider by the 20th of month. Please send to region16web@gmail.com with the subject line “News.”