ASHA Introduces New Star Show to Address Needs of Previously Unrated Shows
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) today announced the formation of a new “class” of shows for the 2020 show season. The “Star Show” program is the result of months of work by the ASHA Horse Show Task Force to bring organization and benefits to those shows that are currently unaffiliated with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The ASHA Star Shows are modeled after the Morgan Horse Association’s Star Shows, as well as the Arabian Horse Association’s One-Day and Value Shows. The ASHA Star Show program recommendation is also a result of multiple surveys sent to both horse show management and ASHA members about the issues facing horse shows of all sizes nationwide.
In addition to the comprehensive support that will be offered by the ASHA for the Star Shows, the ASHA also announces the Horse Show Grant program that will offer grants to assist financially struggling horse shows. Grants in the amounts of $500 and $1,000 will be available to shows on an annual basis. Grants will be funded solely through a $50 horse show application fee for participation in the ASHA Star Show program, which will be waived for shows which receive grants. Grant applications for the 2020 competition year must be received by March 31, 2020 and can be found HERE.
“The Horse Show Task Force recommendations offer common sense solutions for many of the problems facing our horse shows,” said David Mount, ASHA Executive Director.
In addition to the ability to access the grant program, the new ASHA Star Shows will offer a consistent set of guidelines, along with additional marketing support. These new guidelines address rules, enforcement and mileage issues that have been areas of concern for previously unaffiliated shows as the ASHA will now assist shows, if necessary, in the enforcement of rules and policies. Participants in these Star Shows will not have to be USEF members but will receive support from the ASHA and will be able to participate in ASHA awards programs such as High Points and CH point accumulation and have their shows count for accumulating points toward World’s Championship Horse Show qualifying.
The expanded marketing support will center around bringing the fun back to shows through assisting shows on how to promote and create experiences for participants. Shows will have access to an updated Horse Show Manual, Fill the Stands Program, tutorials and ASHA exclusive classes and events.
ASHA will continue to work with horse show management and members to help support and grow horse shows at all levels. Work will continue on additional Horse Show Task Force recommendations with more announcements expected soon. “These programs and the other initiatives being worked on by ASHA are long overdue and offer much needed assistance to our grass roots horse shows,” said Owen Weaver, Horse Show Task Force Co-Chair.
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