Lexington, Kentucky - Following submission of its proposed slate to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) at their meetings on Monday, November 2, the list of nominees standing for election as directors of the Association for terms beginning in February 2010 was released.

In February 2010, six directors are to be elected by ASHA members for terms ending in 2013 from these eight candidates:  Barbara Friedman (Indiana), Minna Hankin (Pennsylvania), Larry Hartsock (Virginia), Charles Herbert (Indiana), William Marple (Texas), Scott Matton (Wisconsin), Jimmy Robertson (Kentucky), and Judith Werner (Illinois). Write-in votes for others are also accepted.

Four of the candidates on the slate (Herbert, Mattson, Robertson, and Werner) are incumbent directors eligible for another term. The other four are also widely experienced and knowledgeable friends and supporters of the American Saddlebred. All candidates meet the requirements in the Association’s bylaws for service as a director, and were selected in an arduous process from over 170 members who were suggested by their fellow members and considered in a series of detailed meetings. The Nominating Committee met formally in six lengthy meetings held from June through October.

Ballots (including biographical information on the candidates) will be mailed in early January, and must be returned by eligible voting members of the Association on or before Friday, February 5, 2010. The election results will be announced at the Association’s convention and annual meeting, to be held from Thursday, February 18, through Saturday, February 20, at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, Kentucky.

"The entire group of potential candidates was exceptionally well-qualified," said Dr. Margaret C. McNeese, chair of the 2009 Nominating Committee, "and successive Nominating Committees over several years have refined the process to be certain that nominees on the ballot meet the detailed requirements in our Association bylaws. All those considered each year are forwarded to the next Nominating Committee so we can continue to expand the list of those who are available for this demanding volunteer service. I would say our only regret is that two of the exceptionally well-qualified people we’re putting forward will not be elected, since there are only six openings on the board each year."

Biographies of each of the candidates and their personal statements will be posted at www.saddlebred.com as soon as available, prior to the mailing of election ballots.