WCHA Members: Don't forget to renew your 2012 Membership! Judges applications are available on our website and must be postmarked no later that April 1, 2012 ______________________________________ WCHA Strategic Planning Meeting and Annual Meeting Update Greetings to the WCHA membership, Re: News from WCHA Strategic Planning Meeting and Annual Meeting held in Las Vegas last week The facilitator for the strategic planning meeting was Bruce Anderson. Executive Committee, Board Members and Committee Chairs present were: Wayne Halvorson, Jodi Sullivan, Dick Donnelly, Greg Holden, Luke Castle, Don Falcon, Maggie Bellville, Brian Causey and Barbara Hoffer. The eight hour meeting produced many good ideas that should enhance the WCHA, in the future (more details to be announced shortly). The WCHA Committees are looking for volunteers; please contact any member of the Executive Committee or Rebecca Halvorson at the WCHA office,405-282-8142; info@conformationhorse.com, if you are interested. The Annual Membership meeting was attended by over fifty members. All committees presented reports and discussion followed. The Association's plans for 2012 were presented. I think it is fair to say, all attendees left with much enthusiasm. Dick Donnelly will serve the remaining year of his two year term on the Executive Committee as president of the WCHA. Executive Committee Members will continue to be: Jerry Bauerly, Greg Holden, Tim Finkenbinder and Jodi Sullivan. Wayne Halverson was presented a numbered WCHA Standard print in recognition of his service as President. Thanks Wayne for a job well done over the past two years! Respectfully submitted by Greg Holden for the Executive Committee ______________________________________ WCHA Dixie National Futurity - Saturday, February 18, 2012 Class 119 & 120 Yearling Stallions - 2 Entries Pro - 1 Entry Non-Pro Place Horse Owner Exhibitor 1st Pro Backstreet Steve Ferguson Gayle P Hamlin-Steidel/Coeurd 2nd Pro & 1st Non-Pro Hugh Heffner Joan Estes Joan Estes Class 121 & 122 Yearling Mares - 5 Entries in the Pro - 4 Entries in Non-Pro Place Horse Owner Exhibitor 1st Pro - 1st Non-Pro Heart N Soles Daniel Chicola Daniel Chicola 2nd Pro - 2nd Non-Pro Cheer for the Girls Erin Jefcoat Erin Jefcoat 3rd Pro Lyla Steve Ferguson Dennis &/or Terry Darryl 4th Pro - 3rd Non-Pro James Kiefer James Kiefer 5th Pro - 4th Non-Pro Fearles N Fabulous Lynnora Hayden Henry Ash Lynnora Hayden Class 123 & 124 Yearling Geldings - 5 Entries in the Pro & Non-Pro Place Horse Owner Exhibitor 1st Pro - 1st Non-Pro Obveeus Pizzaz Pam Warden Pam Warden 2nd Pro- 2nd Non-Pro JMK Mo Betta Linda Bibb Linda Bibb 3rd Pro-3rd Non-Pro Rango George Kuck George Kuck 4th Pro- 4th Non-Pro Dimaggioh Melinda Jandreau Dale and Melinda Jandreau 5th Pro- 5th Non-Pro I Gotta Cool Design Marilyn S. Anderson Shelley E. Anderson ______________________________________ Breeder's Championship News Dear Stallion Owners, Mare Owners and Exhibitors: The World Conformation Horse Association extends this invitation to you to be a part of the industry's premier halter spectacular held September 14, 15, 16, 2012 in Murfreesboro, TN. WCHA will showcase the finest Quarter, Palomino, Paint, Appaloosa and Buckskin horses in open, non-pro, and color classes, including vendor displays and exhibitor parties. This action packed weekend will be held in conjunction with the Big Money Halter Futurities. Combined estimated payout of over $300,000 to be awarded in weanling and yearling halter futurities with over 75% awarded to non pro exhibitors. We had hoped to build on the success we had in 2011 by returning to Des Moines again this year but after lengthy negotiations with organizers of Breeders/National Halter Championships it became apparent that there just wasn't going to be a large enough time frame to fit our classes into the schedule. Because there is a paint futurity already scheduled on the 14th, 15th and 16th at the Des Moines fairgrounds our exhibitors wouldn't be able to get into their stalls until late morning/early afternoon on Monday and then have to show their weanlings the very next morning. Doable for the exhibitors that only had to travel a short distance but for the majority of participants that would travel a long distance this would be an insurmountable hardship. Furthermore we feel for the long range growth of our association we just needed more time than was allowed us to showcase our futurity program. WCHA appreciates and fully supports the Breeders Group in their efforts to provide the halter industry with innovative and rewarding opportunities but for this year the scheduling just wouldn't allow both entities to co-exist. Regardless of where we have our futurities a large percentage of exhibitors will have to drive a great distance, last year numerous participants that reside in the south and east hauled to Iowa, this year we're asking our participants to stay committed to the growth of our association by traveling to Tennessee. For those exhibitors traveling from the North, and those exhibitors traveling to Des Moines after our event, we will be arranging stalling in the St Louis area to lay-over. Our participants can get into their stalls in Murfreesboro on Wednesday prior to our classes on Friday morning so that their young horses can get rested and acclimated prior to competing. The facility at Murfreesboro is first class and when combined with the Big Money there will be lucrative opportunities for exhibitors to have a "great weekend". WCHA's futurity program is built around the concept that we want everyone to be able to participate. If you've got a small breeding operation with only a handful of mares, and a stallion you want to promote, you can participate by paying the amount equal to the advertised stud fee or $600, whichever is greater. Last year we had over 70 stallions in our inaugural futurity with stud fees ranging from $600 to $5000, we paid out over $150,000 in prize money and we're proud of the fact that everyone went home with something regardless of their placing. 50% of a stallion's nomination fee is allocated to non pro exhibitor purses and to encourage owners/amateurs to show their own horses non pro's are eligible for both open and non pro purse monies. Last year over 85% of the horses that competed were shown by non pros. We also offer both early and late age divisions in the weanling classes and pay 10 places in each of those four futurity classes. Our committee is planning new programs that will continue to aid breeders in marketing their offspring. WCHA was founded in 2007 and now represents over 500+ members. Our goal was to find a formula to revitalize the conformation (halter) horse industry and involve youth, amateurs, owners, breeders, trainers and other equine enthusiasts. We're asking for your continued support in our efforts. Stallion Owners: This is a great opportunity to promote your stallion and his offspring, also attached to this letter is a stallion nomination form, get enrolled early as we have mare owners calling every day asking what stallions are enrolled. Sincerely, The WCHA Breeder's Futurity Committee ______________________________________ News Updates 2012 WCHA Judges Exam The 2012 WCHA Judges Exam is to be held in conjunction with the AQHA Judges Exam on April 23-24, 2012 in Gainesville, Texas. The host hotel for the WCHA Judges Exam and Seminar is the Comfort Suites in Gainesville, TX Comfort Suites 1715 N Interstate 35 Gainesville, TX 76240 940-665-5000 Please call and book your rooms and reserve them with a credit card, right away if you are planning on attending the seminar as an applicant or a seminar attendee. ______________________________________ Jerry Wells Memorial Scholarship Futurity Jerry Wells dedicated his life to the love of the halter horse. The 2012 Futurity is in it's fourth year of existence and will be held on June 2, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in conjunction with the Redbud Spectacular AQHA Show. This Futurity offers Yearling classes for Stallions, Mares and Geldings, both Open & Non-Pro exhibitors. Entries open April 15. Please visit www.jerrywellsmemorialscholarshipfuturity.com for more information.

News Update WCHA UPCOMING EVENTS 2012 UPCOMING EVENTS Breeder's Championship Futurity Moves We would like to welcome all conformation horse fans to be a part of one of the equine industry's premier halter events, held September 14-16, 2012 in Murfreesboro, TN. The WCHA Breeder's Championp will showcase the finest Quarter, Palomino, Paint, Appaloosa and Buckskin horses in open, non-pro, and color classes. The Breeder's Championship Futurity and the Big Money Halter Futurity will have a combined payout of over $300,000.00 in cash! These monies will be awarded to weanling and yearling halter classes, with over 75% of the purse awarded to non-pro exhibitors! Enroll your Stallion in 2012 qualifies the 2012 & 2011 offspring to show in 2012 Futurity. To learn more about this event & sponsorships please contact: Jennifer Sheriff at conformationhorse@gmail.com 2012 Stallion Enrollment Form: CLICK HERE 2012 WCHA Judges Exam The 2012 WCHA Judges Exam is to be held in conjunction with the AQHA Judges Exam on April 23-24, 2012 in Gainesville, Texas. The host hotel for the WCHA Judges Exam and Seminar is the Comfort Suites in Gainesville, TX Comfort Suites 1715 N Interstate 35 Gainesville, TX 76240 940-665-5000 Please call and book your rooms and reserve them with a credit card, right away if you are planning on attending the seminar as an applicant or a seminar attendee. Don't forget to renew your 2012 Membership! Thanks to all our wonderful WCHA Event Sponsors! WCHA Prints are now available to purchase! We are proud to have our affiliate status with AQHA and APHA. WCHA has future plans to work with all of the breed associations. If you would like to know more about this opportunity please contact our office. For WCHA print purchase information contact: ConformationHorse@gmail.com Join the WCHA E-mailing List for our latest news and updated information! subscribe unsubscribe Check here for past issues of the WCHA E-News Why did the WCHA get started in the first place? That is perhaps the most exciting thing about the movement. Owners, breeders and trainers all agreed that creating an organization with a unified voice was critical to the future of the industry. A diminishing market certainly served as catalyst for the first meeting in May 2007, but the result was a focus on the bigger picture of organizing a segment of the horse industry among the first seen in competition. Why does the name of the association include Conformation Horse rather than Halter Horse? The founders of the WCHA recognize that conformation is a crucial element to the soundness and athletic ability of the horse, regardless of the discipline in which it might be involved. While the WCHA will develop and promote halter horse competition, its primary mission will be to educate the public about the value of and how to recognize good conformation in the horse. >> Click here for more Frequently Asked Questions about the WCHA >> Click here for more WCHA Bylaws WCHA Headquarters 9528 South Sooner Rd Guthrie, OK 73044-4501 PH: 405-282-8142 FAX: 405-282-7807 E-Mail: info@conformationhorse.com WCHA Sponsors WCHA is now on Facebook & Twitter!