The 2008 Nominating Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) held its first, formal meeting during the Lexington Junior League Horse show, under the direction of Chairwoman Barbara Molland. Also on the committee are Nancy Becker, Vicki Gillenwater, Scott Matton, and Carol Reedy. The duty of the committee is to prepare recommendations for ASHA directors to be elected to three-year terms beginning in February 2009.

The Nominating Committee directed the staff of the Association to undertake all possible means to solicit suggestions from the membership, including by e-mail and publishing releases in Saddlebred media. In addition, all suggestions received during previous years have been forwarded to this year’s committee.

“The Association’s bylaws govern the election procedures each year,” explained Alan F. Balch, Executive Secretary of ASHA. The specific section of the bylaws outlining the election procedures may be viewed by visiting www.saddlebred.com/files/bylaws_article3_part2.pdf.

Balch continued, “The Nominating Committee is required to weigh and balance many factors in making its recommendations, including geography, experience with the breed and its governing organizations, other governance positions, committee service, expertise required by the Association, and so forth. Those on the Nominating Committee also want to reach out to the entire membership to seek qualified candidates for consideration, so that anyone who wishes to be considered, or who has a recommendation of a qualified individual, can be encouraged to put those names forward.”

Suggestions of possible candidates to serve on the ASHA board should be sent to ASHA, in care of Katriona Adams, by letter or fax to (859) 259-1628 or by e-mail to [email protected] no later than Friday, September 12. If members prefer, they should contact the members of the Nominating Committee directly at any time, as follows: Barbara Molland ([email protected]), Nancy Becker ([email protected]), Vicki Gillenwater ([email protected]), Scott Matton ([email protected]) or Carol Reedy ([email protected]).