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As a wise old friend says, “don’t get on the horse if you’re not ready for the ride.” It’s taken me 12 months to get fully centered in the saddle. Despite the bumps that come with anything new, I’m encouraged, strengthened and very hopeful about APHA’s future. The ride is occasionally bumpy but the view is spectacular.

In 2012, APHA can be proud of a few signifcant accomplishments that will lead to many more in 2013. We’ve moved together and with purpose to grow APHA by:

• Developing one of the richest and most sustainable 2-year-old Pleasure classes in the world. Riders in the Farnam 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle classes will compete for $50,000 in purse money in 2013. • Celebrating our 50 th Anniversary in style.

• Adopting a single-convention meeting format that debuts in 2014. More people with diverse views will have greater opportunity to present their views.

• Adding a new Director of Judges—David Dellin—and a renewed commitment to judge support and training that will give judges and exhibitors more confdence in the ring. • Shaking hands with Farnam as APHA’s newest Corporate Partner. Farnam will demonstrate its commitment to APHA in many other ways in 2013.

• Developing a model MemberCare center that reduces costs for APHA and provides customers with better service.

• Launching the frst APHA Hall of Fame class. These induction ceremonies in the future will become the highlight of APHA’s convention. Many joyful tears will fow in the future as did on that evening in 2012.

• Launching the very frst digital Paint Horse Racing Magazine. When we dissolved the printed magazine, it had 300 subscribers. On the launch of the frst digital issue it had almost 1,000 subscribers.

Here are some things you can look forward to in 2013:

• Providing members a way to save money on John Deere tractors, Sherwin-Williams Paint, and a host of other goods and services. You’ll hear more about our new APHA Xtras program soon. It’s a money-saver to members.

• Improvements to both World Shows that should increase the size of classes and bring more horses to the shows.

• A new APHA credit card that members can personalize.

• We’re adding more features to MemberCare this year that will speed up the posting of show results, registrations and other APHA work. Technology and more training will keep us in a constant state of improvement.

• At least two additional Corporate Partners that will create more opportunities for members and add value to APHA memberships.

• A complete redesign of the Paint Horse Connection. We haven’t said much about this, but you’ll never want your membership to lapse again after you see the frst edition this summer.

• A few new things up our sleeves that will make trail riders feel more at home at APHA. We still have a long way to go to rebuild our membership base, but we’re still the second-largest equine breed association in the world. We’re proud of where we are headed. Thank you for letting me take the ride.