--- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, "lauraafana" <quiltedpony@...> wrote:
>
> Well said. But I don't think it is just the owners of non-registered Haflingers that are not joining. I do think it is the small number owners/non-breeders. I reolize not everyone wants to track their hours for recognition, and no one responded to my thoughts on that issue. I've talked to more than one owner that is joining other organizations as it is more specific to their venue or use. For example, someone that does the competion trailriding, they can join a group that will track lifetime miles they ride their halfinger in trail competition. Not just one years work of hours. I already mentioned the dressage is based on percentage so to compare that to 1-6 placings is apples to oranges for 1 dressage show to 1 open or Halfinger Show. And Combined Driving to driving classes in the pre mentioned shows? Any thoughts on this?
> Laura of Cal.
>
> --- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, "chuck.hendershot" <chuck.hendershot@> wrote:
> >
> > I think that we are missing an opportunity and it sounds like disenfranchising a number of non-registered Haflinger owners, which I believe is a big mistake for AHR and the breed.
> >
> > I guess the thing in this discussion thread that bothers me the most is feeling that we do not want to involve the non-registered owners and purposely exclude them from shows and events. As a breeder and a business person this does not make sense. These owners have been exposed to the versatility and calm nature of the Haflinger and are going to be easy sale opportunities as they look to add to their herd or excuse my term but upgrade to a fully registered animal. While they know the quality of the horses we certainly are not showing these owners and prospective clients the quality of the people involved wit the Haflinger breed. So from my standpoint we have a challenge to work on and I hope that I always welcome a Haflinger owner and try to open the breed to everyone. I may try to sell you a registered animal, but that is what we do, not because I think your animal is less capable because someone else did not care to suppor the breed by registering their animals.
> >
> > As a breeder, I agree with Emily that we do not want to do anything that would dilute the breed. We work very hard to produce atheltic and versatile animals with each generation improving from the last. However, I also see the advantage to preventing non-registered animals from becoming breeding stock either to compete against our produce or as foundation stock for an attempt to establish a new breed like the "Spotted Haflinger" which has no requirements or breeding standards. I would be certainly interested in trying to develop a policy or standard for including the non-registered animals within the Haflinger family, especially in exchage for an agreement that the animal would not be bred or if sold that the animal would not be sold to an owner who did not agree to sign the agreement not to breed the animal.
> >
> > From an AHR standpoint I can see several opportunities to win in this situation. The first would be an increase in overall membership. Second would be a service for all breeders (large and small) by putting some control over the breeding of non-registered animals. Since we can not stop the "Spotted Haflinger" people from using the name, we certainly do not have any control over the non-registered animals from using the name. If we bring them into the family we gain some control and I can only see this helping the prices for registered animals. Third, a service could be provided for helping any owner that wanted to attempt to prove the "purity" of its animal for registration for a fee. If successful we add to the registry and gain a registration fee.
> >
> > I guess my biggest problem with this thread is that the response to people who would like to get more involved with the Haflingers and represent future clients who could buy our poduce is why we cannot do what they are suggesting. We real support their impression of the registered owner and breeder as "snooty" when we should be trying to figure out how to brng them into the family. I would like to see the AHR Board or the membership committee take the non-registered Haflinger owner as a project, to develop some guidelnes to nclude them in the association and not alienate them from the breed. Then I hope we can sell you a registered animal in the future, not because it is necessarily a better or more lovable animal, but because you love Haflingers and enjoy the people associated with these wonderful, athletic and versatile horses.
> >
>
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