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AATR—T h e M i s s i n g L i n k F o r A ma t e u r s A t U.S. N a t i o n al s

by Chelsea Wesson

In recent years, there have been a few attempts to have AATR classes added to the schedule for our United States National Championship Show. These attempts have unfortunately failed, though we were never sure exactly why this was happening. All amateurs seemed to be in favor of these classes, and some exhibitors have opted out of showing at that show when they only have one class with no to little prize money or prizes for placing in it.

When Lori Davisson started Promoting Postive Change for the Arabian Breed (yes, still misspelled!) on Facebook, several of us jumped in almost immediately.

After some discussion, AATR classes at U.S. Nationals came up again. Lori suggested someone put together

a draft of a schedule including AATR classes. A few of us volunteered, and soon we had a great group.

With the help of Melissa Aebly, Jennifer Pavlick, Amy Johnson, Lori Davisson and Lori Foster, we had a great sounding board for our ideas and problems as we worked on ideas.

Our initial focus was AATR classes added for hunter pleasure, western pleasure, English pleasure and country English pleasure with no age splits, or the same age splits offered as the AAOTR classes for the 2013 U.S. National Championships. We would also look at adding English and western side saddle AATR and park AATR later, though we have recently heard positive things about the AATR side saddle classes!

ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN ARABIAN HORSE TIMES - VOL. 43, NO. 11 - APRIL 2013

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During the 2012 U.S. Nationals, however, a new idea surfaced. After recommendations from many, we started looking to constructing a tiered system of AATR classes.

For those familiar with the levels of NRHA and AQHA classes, this concept will be nothing new. “Select” would become our bottom tier, and it would be built up from there based on each rider’s national titles (not regional or local). Many thanks to Mary Jane Brown and Stan Morey for their help on getting this idea off of the ground, as well as everyone else who suggested looking way outside of the box. Both have been extremely helpful to us as we work on ideas.

It is currently unknown if the tiers or just straight AATR will be chosen. We know that both were discussed by the U.S. Nationals Show Committee in January. Those of us who have been working on this are just happy that we have gotten as far as we have with AATR, and we will be happy to have it included in whichever way seems to work the best.

do well in an open class, they would be eager to have that horse shown in it. There is still a lot of prestige in owning a national champion in an open class, after all!

For some exhibitors, open classes were never a feasible option due to scheduling with the current AAOTR classes. With the option of two amateur classes, this will also make those open classes more accessible for some. Yes, owners may have to pick and choose, but at least they will have that option! There will still be some conflicts between select/open/junior horse/maturity/ AAOTR/AATR, but we would be thrilled to give the option to pick which classes to enter for each owner.

We have some great horsemen and women in this industry, and we trust them to make the right decision for each horse.

Another concern raised among exhibitors is that adding AATR takes away from the prestige of the AAOTR classes. We all hear “too many classes” referred to a lot for our shows, but we do not see it Naturally, there is opposition to adding AATR. One that way. Adding an AATR class will allow amateurs concern we have heard who cannot afford to from many trainers is that purchase a horse of their they are afraid they will own to feel what it is “Having AATR classes at our lose their open horses. like to show a horse at While this could very well U.S. Nationals. Instead U.S. Nationals would allow the happen, we have some of saying, “They’ll think points to counter that. For breeders of our industry another they don’t need to buy a many trainers stating this horse of their own,” let’s as a reason, they might, say that, “They’ll have so way to showcase horses they for example, have multiple much fun, they’ll want have bred by having an amateur Arabian hunter pleasure one of their own so they horses eligible for the open can show twice!” It would compete on them at a major show class at the show. However, also allow some owners they may only choose one … Having an amateur successfully the opportunity to do to show in it. While that a half-lease on a horse. single horse gets to show in The true owner could show them will help increase two classes, the others and still show the horse in marketability of those horses.” their owners are still limited AAOTR, but a friend to one class. If trainers are would be able to show afraid that no owner will the horse in AATR. This want to give up showing in one of the two amateur would make the whole show and show season more classes so his or her horse can compete in open, perhaps affordable for each person involved. they can make a deal with that client. The possibilities as to what that deal could be are endless! If most amateurs As for AATR itself, we have a variety of other reasons owned a horse that they thought could truly win or for wanting to see these classes added. The biggest

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reason for most amateurs is that we would have two adult amateur ranks because she would be down to one class at U.S. Nationals. She goes from the ability to show opportunities to show at U.S. Nationals. For those in JOTR, JTR, equitation and showmanship, to having a of us with horses over five, we simply do not have single AAOTR class. Adding the AATR classes to U.S. that chance right now. The show is expensive, from Nationals could be a link to keeping our youth exhibitors entry fees to stall fees, to hauling to hotels, to eating coming back to our fabulous horse shows. while there. Many of us cannot justify spending that amount of money every year with only one class and Adding AATR could also improve the numbers in one judging panel. It would be nice to have a second AAOTR. All of the previous reasons for adding it could opportunity to have another shot if one had a turn be ones that could help bring exhibitors back to the of bad luck with their horse spooking and ruining a show. The addition of AATR classes might be just the completely nice ride otherwise, which would make us boost we need to get those numbers back to what they less willing to come back used to be! for just one class. If we had another class and another There are, no doubt, a shot at making that cut, “Adding the AATR classes to U.S. number of other reasons we would be happier about the experience.

Nationals could be a link to keeping for and against adding AATR to U.S. Nationals. our youth exhibitors coming back to We are thrilled so far by Having AATR classes at the support and positive our U.S. Nationals would our fabulous horse shows.” comments we have heard also allow the breeders of from everyone about this. our industry another way to We would like to thank showcase horses they have each and every one of you bred by having an amateur who has contacted us publicly or privately, from those compete on them at a major show. As it stands, for the at AHA to acquaintances at shows to close friends. Our breeders who are not interested in riding their horses, the group was recently invited to have a meeting with the only option for them at our U.S. Nationals is to have a U.S. Nationals Show Commission to discuss adding trainer on the horses. Having an amateur successfully show AATR to the show. We are excited to have that to look them will help increase marketability of those horses. forward to and hope to have good news to share with everyone in the months to come!

In a similar line of thought, there are amateurs that have more than one horse that they could show in a division.

If any of you are interested in helping out with this or Having AATR would allow them to show two separate another cause, please join Promoting Postive Change for horses of the same type at the show. For example, if a the Arabian Breed on Facebook. n rider had two Half-Arabian English pleasure horses, they could show one in AATR and one in AAOTR. The Chelsea Wesson has owned Arabian horses for the majority of her life.

She has been a dedicated member of the Arabian Riders and Breeders, rider would not have to pick which single horse to take.

On the Facebook group’s page, a former Youth Nationals exhibitor stated that she was upset to age-out into the

Inc. club of Region XI for many years and has shown horses through all levels of AHA shows. Chelsea graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2009 with a Bachelors of Science in English and currently does online work for local businesses, clubs and farms.