ABOUT US or HVAHA HISTORY

ABOUT US or HVAHA HISTORY

We began with a small, but dedicated group of Arabian Horse enthusiasts who met to establish an association in the Hudson Valley region of New York State. The seven original founders, who were also the first officers and directors, were Arlene Shapiro, Marie Rausch, Joseph and JoAnn Ranucci, Roberta Swanberg, Peggy Holley, and June Schevon. Four of these original founders are now enjoying the warm breezes out in California (a sort of mini-HVAHA West).

At that time, the group proposed activities and programs to “bring Arabian and Half-Arabian horse owners together to further the general knowledge and enjoyment . . . . (of the breed)”. Meetings revolved around lectures by such well knowns of the time as Laurence Thornhill, judge and breeder, and Roy Dean, owner and breeder of great horses. Picnics with auctions to raise money for a “horse show fund” were held at Theodora Pleadwell’s Muffet Farm, and the Thornhill’s Marlady Arabians. Blacksmiths (Steve Foster) and such up and coming trainers as Bill Bohl and Bob Churton donated their time and skill at clinic meetings. Bill and Bob later served as Vice President and on our HVAHA board. Volunteers donated time and money to go to meetings of the newly formed Region XVI (of the then IAHA). Representation at the national level was not even considered. Local shows were encouraged to offer Arabian classes. A booth was manned at the Dutchess County Sportsmen’s Show. Demonstrations of the versatility of the Arabian were conducted in front of the Grandstand at the Dutchess County Fair. Early efforts included developing a high score awards program for members

The dream of having a class A All Arabian Horse show was conceived from the very start. As already mentioned, many of the early activities even centered around raising enough money to put on such a show. The founders dream of a class A all Arabian show finally came true. Enough money was finally saved for an all Arabian show and the first show was held in 1982.

In more recent years, we continued many of the activities started by our early members, and expanded upon them. An open all breed show became a yearly event and was eventually split into two separate days. Clinics have featured such wonderful instructors as Bob Hart Jr., Lendon Gray, Stew Thompson, David Mikosz, Larry Jones, Bill Bohl, Rich Gold, Paula Paglia, Vickie Wirth, and others. We did not limit ourselves to showing either. Other activities included a hunter pace and trail rides. Many farms and businesses opened their doors to us for meetings, open houses, clinics, and picnics over the years including Dorian Farm, Dunromin Arabians, Millbrook Equine Veterinary hospital, Cricket Hill Arabians, MidLantic Training Center, Saladin Hill Arabians, Wethersfield, and Windy View Farm. Guest speakers like farrier Wayne Wells and veterinarians Drs. John Whitefield, Nancy Moy, Wyn Stevens, John Jagar, and Michelle Ferraro have still educated us. The versatility of the Arabian horse continued to be demonstrated at the Southern Dutchess Horseman’s Association Equine Fair and the Putnam County 4H Fair Equine Expo We have all enjoyed getting together at our annual dinner banquets. We have offered such programs as our high score awards, futurity, and breeders amateur

sweepstakes.

HVAHA has been through some bleak times too. Like many other clubs and Arabian shows, and the industry itself, we were faced with a rapidly dwindling treasury. At the same time, we lost a lot of members as well. Many of the farms and training centers that were local to the Hudson Valley either closed, moved, or “went all breed” for various reasons, whether financial or personal. Part of the membership we lost were active members and even board members. We had to face some tough choices. At the May show, we tried to cut as many expenses as we could, tried to revamp our class offerings and schedule, and do what we could to still make our show as pleasurable and receptive to our exhibitors as we could think to make it. At the same time, we also had to cut many of the other club events and programs that HVAHA once offered. Some were cut due to a lack of interest, some because they were too expensive, but others were put on hold because we had to concentrate on what we needed to do to turn things around.

HVAHA TODAY

Today, we are still an area club, but we also have members from all over the Northeast and beyond and from all walks of life, all united in their love of the Arabian horse.

HVAHA and its members continue to provide a supportive, social, educational, harmonious, and cooperative atmosphere for all Arabian horse owners and admirers.

Happily, now our All Arabian show is back on track. Each year we endeavor to provide our exhibitors and spectators alike with an exciting, fun, and exhibitor friendly all Arabian show. It seems that our exhibitors have come to be able to depend on an enjoyable, responsive atmosphere in which to compete.

This now can enable us to work on restoring some of the other projects and events that were abandoned along the way. Fresh, new ideas are dancing in our heads as well, such as this web site. We may not offer all that we once did, but we look forward to the future. Our goals and ideals are still the same. We strive to offer social, educational, and competitive opportunities and to provide Arabian horse owners and lovers a refuge of camaraderie and support.