I'm not surprised that you are fine with this change since that just compliments your breeding program. And no, just from discussions on this list - its not an actual shock, but rather a huge disappointment for those of us who prefer the shorter guys. I absolutely love the height of my boys and with the new changes - my registered boy would probably be just short of meeting them.
And while you are correct that the US doesn't require passing the inspection - you are totally wrong if you don't think a change like this wouldn't influence the breed - even here. Heck - judges' preferences in shows can influence a huge part of a breed (just watch QHs) - a change in the World standard will no doubt have an impact. Yes, some may ignore it, but I can just see the discussions in the future. "Its irresponsible to not follow the height requirements" and a lot of people will be guilted into following it and slowly the short guys will be phased out. Not to mention any imports will be taller and taller. In addition, there is nothing preventing them from raising the height requirements yet again.
Jessie in KY
________________________________
From: "haflingerhorse@hotmail.com" <haflingerhorse@hotmail.com>
To: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 17, 2010 8:39:38 AM
Subject: [haflingerfriends] Re: World Haflinger Federation breed standard minimum height raised
This has been an ongoing disucssion for quite some time, it wasn't 'just decided.' Besides, the US has several representatives, Joel Greenisen for the AHR, Mr. John White is a Vice President, and Mr. Robert McArthur is an honorary President, so it isn't as if the US is not well represented, and if anyone was really concerned about this issue, the points could have been brought to any of them before the meeting. I know all three of these men personally and they are willing to listen to anyone who is an AHR member, and has registered Haflingers. For those of you who don't follow inspection, or haven't followed it for a while, I can see how this would be a shock for you, for those of us who do follow it, and follow the standards, it really isn't an issue for any of our breeding programs. If the horse isn't tall enough, it doesn't pass, period, doesn't mean it isn't still a registered Haflinger (in the US at least) just means it isn't recommended for
breeding, and once again, in the US it doesn't mean you can't breed it, so really the US inspection holds no weight because it doesn't 'make' you do anything if you don't pass. In reality very few people inspect in the US, and those that do, and even fewer amount actually listen as to if they should continue to breed or not.
The US pretty much does whatever the heck it wants, even to the point of allowing horses to be papered and listed as registered that the World Federation told them to pull because they weren't pure. So a height increase is really the least of the US problems, and the US/AHR are just going to continue to do whatever the heck they want so a height increase really isn't a issue over here.
Jacque in Ohio
Woodward Performance Haflingers
www.hfbhaflingers. com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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