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WCHA Celebrates Official Launch
Nearly 400 attend reception and meeting in Columbus, Ohio
(Fort Worth, Texas) - October 25, 2007 - Interest in the conformation horse
received strong affirmation after a crowd of more than 350 attended the
first official meeting of the World Conformation Horse Association October
17 in Columbus, Ohio, with nearly 400 attending a reception staged to launch
the horse industry's newest association.
Held during the All American Quarter Horse Congress, the two-hour WCHA
membership meeting provided current members and interested persons with a
snap shot of the mission of and plans for the group, as well as the list of
nominees for the first WCHA Executive Committee and Board of Directors along
with its plans for a breeders program.
"Walking into that room full of excited and interested people was a great
thrill for me," said Peter Cofrancesco, III, of Sparta, New Jersey, one of
the driving forces behind the formation of the group. "The work that has
been done by a few over the past five months was clearly worth the effort
and now we have many more interested in seeing this group and are coming
forward to volunteer their time and effort."
The group also recognized Ohio Quarter Horse Association Executive Vice
President Denny Hales for his contributions to the development of the group.
"Denny was there at the start of the National Reining Horse Association and
the National Snaffle Bit Association," said Cofrancesco. "His insight into
the horse industry and association management has been invaluable in our
efforts to get this movement off the ground."
Breeder event announced; Elections to be held October 30
Cofrancesco addressed those in attendance with additional comment from Dick
Donnelly of LaPorte City, IA, and Jodi Sullivan of Maumee, OH, fellow WCHA
steering committee members. During the presentation, he highlighted the
action steps taken over the past five months by each of the task forces,
including governance, marketing, membership and events. Among those were the
development of by-laws, membership categories and fees, a communication and
marketing plan, web site, e-newsletter and a draft conformation standard, as
well as the outline of a breeder's program.
"The WCHA Breeder's Classic, which is still in its formative stages, will be
an affordable program through which breeder's can market their stallions and
foals," Cofrancesco explained. "Specifics of the program will be announced
very soon as we received a great deal of constructive feedback during our
initial meeting."
Cofrancesco also said that the WCHA has already had several breeders express
an interest in and offer weanlings to a youth program which would educate
and mentor youth ages 13-19 interested in the conformation horse. More
information about that program will also be announced prior to the end of
the year.
Nominees for the WCHA Executive Committee and Board of Directors were also
announced during the meeting. Election of the WCHA Executive Committee and
Board of Directors will take place via an on-line voting system October 30.
Members passed the WCHA by-laws via the same system earlier this month.
Following the membership meeting, a reception was hosted by
WCHA, with funding support from Heck Yeah Quarter Horses, Majestic Hills
Ranch/Lamar Bridges Quarter Horses, The Reichert Celebration, Cofrancesco
Farms, Dick and Debra Donnelly, Tim and Jodi Finkenbinder, Fuhrman Farms,
Wayne and Rebecca Halvorson, Candace Jussen, Dorn and Debra Parkinson and
Greg and Jodi Sullivan. Nearly 50 applied for membership.
For more information, go to www.conformationhorse.com or contact Julie
Bryant at 817-443-0686 or jbryant@conformationhorse.com.
The World Conformation Horse Association was formed in May 2007 when more
than 40 concerned halter horse owners, breeders and trainers from nine
states gathered in Tioga, Tex., May 29-30 for a think tank strategy meeting
to discuss issues facing the halter horse industry and methods for response,
including the forming of an organization to address industry matters. Based
in Fort Worth, Texas, the WCHA represents members in 28 states and Canada.
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