ASHBA Special Release
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is announcing several decisions around recording the results for the Kentucky State Fair (KSF) Horse Show in 2024.
"Our primary mission is to serve the American Saddlebred and the members of ASHBA who love this wonderful breed," said Allen Bosworth, president of the ASHBA Board of Directors. "We have consulted with many people and spent a great deal of time and effort considering the short and long term impact of these important decisions that were forced upon us."
The decision to change governing bodies at the KSF Horse Show has created multiple issues for ASHBA, the most prominent of which is that ASHBA only records shows that follow USEF breed rules. Because this decision was done in the middle of the qualifying period, after the start of the 2024 show season, and with no notice to ASHBA or its membership, ASHBA does not want to negatively impact its members or the American Saddlebred industry.
Due to these unprecedented circumstances, the ASHBA Board of Directors has voted to do the following for 2024:
•Record results from the KSF Horse Show noting American Saddlebred winners and reserves in the official American Saddlebred Registry as WC, RWC, WCC, RWCC, WGC, RWGC, as ASHBA has done in the past, for classes that were offered in the past. Those titles will carry a separate notation in the Registry record for 2024 that indicates the show was not held under USEF American Saddlebred breed rules.
•The one exception to “past classes” are the two new 12 & Under Walk Trot Pleasure classes, which the ASHBA Board of Directors has requested for many years. Those two classes will be recorded with the specially designated titles of WC, RWC, WCC, and RWCC.
•The 16 new "sweepstakes" and "futurity" classes added to the KSF Horse Show for 2024 will be recorded, but not with the specially designated titles of WC and RWC. Only the official ASHBA prize program classes, which will be held at the All American Horse Classic in September, will be recorded with the titles of WC and RWC, as previously announced.
•Since the Broodmare Hall of Fame is currently based on classes held at the KSF Horse Show, ASHBA will continue to use that show, along with the ASHBA prize program classes at the All American Horse Classic, for this program since no other options exists in 2024.
•Since the Breeders Award Medallions are currently based on classes at the KSF Horse Show along with ASHBA prize program classes at other shows, ASHBA will continue to use the KSF Horse Show and the other shows for this program since no other options exist in 2024.
•Since the KSF Horse Show will not be run under rules consistent with ASHBA’s Saddlebred Record (CH) rules, no points will be accrued for this program at the KSF Horse Show in 2024. Saddlebred Record points can be earned at any USEF, USEF Lite or ASHBA Star Show.
“We are deeply appreciative of the support from our membership during this difficult period,” said David Mount, executive director and CEO of ASHBA. “With a bright future firmly on the horizon, we are making the most well-considered decisions through 2024 that will position our breed and our industry for greater success going forward.”
Thank you,
Allen Bosworth, President
David Mount, Executive Director
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