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2019 ASHA WCHS Survey & Activities Report



The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) is sharing with our membership the summaries of the findings of the September 2019 World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS) Survey and also the in-depth 2019 ASHA WCHS report that we present to the Kentucky Venues show ownership and management team.

2019 WCHS ASHA Member Survey Summary

 In a continued effort to make a combined effort to improve the show experience and service to our membership, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and the World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS) leadership issued a survey following the 2019 show. ASHA/WCHS surveys are critical tools in assisting the ASHA in advocating for membership to the KY Venues WCHS ownership and management teams.  KY Venues is appreciative of the dialogue our membership surveys create and are passionate about making the WCHS a great experience for ASHA members. “We look forward to working with the ASHA to grow and enhance the World’s Championship Horse. On behalf of the entire Kentucky Venues team I want ASHA members to know how much we appreciate our partnership with the ASHA,” said David Beck, KY Venues President and CEO. 

The ASHA is happy to report the primary areas of concern from 2018 of length of the show, quality of entries and stabling conditions all had a considerable increase in positive responses for each of these areas. We salute the show management and leadership for taking action to improve these areas quickly and effectively. In addition to the three primary areas of concern from last year, we also saw a positive reception to the addition of the Hunter Country Pleasure division, the two additional workdays, free Wi-Fi in Freedom Hall, ASHA App improvements and the new ASHA Youth Activities.

Along with the opportunity for positive feedback, this year’s survey asked for the top three things you would like to see improved at the WCHS in the future. The primary areas of concern were improving exhibitor pass access on fairgrounds and the footing in work areas, the management of class splits and the timeliness of posting of judges’ cards and class splits on the ASHA App.

The survey was available to 2019 ASHA Senior Competing and Life Members. ASHA sought to gather feedback from members to identify areas we can address with the KY Venues team as they towards the 2020 WCHS. This survey provided not only insight into the experience of the 2019 event, but also be a source of comparison to our 2018 WCHS Member Survey.  The ASHA takes great pride in having the opportunity to help improve the show experience and appreciates our 325 members who took this survey. We are grateful to KY Venues and WCHS management for the continued collaboration to make it the “greatest show on earth!”  

In addition to the feedback on the WCHS, our survey posed two questions asking what members felt were the most pressing issues facing the American Saddlebred and what areas ASHA could work to meet the needs of the industry better? It gives us confidence the concerns of the membership expressed are in line with the initiatives we have been working on since the fall of 2018. The most prevalent concerns of the ASHA members that participated in the survey were education, promotion, support of smaller markets, addressing the affordability of the American Saddlebred show horse, expanding recognition of newcomers, AOT, youth, versatility and collectively working in unity to address concerns with industry ethics, governance and Safe Sport.

2019 ASHA WCHS Survey Quantitative Responses

December 2018 ASHA WCHS Survey Release
 
ASHA Shares 2019 WCHS Activities Report with Membership

This year we are also sharing the ASHA 2019 WCHS Report. Every year the ASHA, as the official partner of the WCHS and lead participating breed association produces a report for the KY State Fair Board, KY Venues leadership and show management to review to assure the ASHA is upholding the parameters of this partnership. ASHA role in this partnership is to record the WCHS qualifying points for the American Saddlebred divisions, assist in generating public awareness of the WCHS and support competition staff and competitors during the show.  We welcome our members to examine this year’s report from our activities on behalf of the American Saddlebred and the WCHS.

2019 ASHA WCHS Report

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