The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announced that results for the year ending December 31, 2004, marked record highs in several areas. Net earnings for the year were $148,938 compared to $24,032 the previous year, prior to consideration of unrealized gains in investments either year, on revenues of $1.575 million in 2004 versus $1.473 million in the prior year. Including unrealized gains in investments, earnings doubled, from approximately $90,000 to nearly $181,000.

Membership in the association also advanced to record levels, up 11% compared to year-end levels in 2003. There were 8,178 members of the ASHA as of December 31. Registrations processed in 2004 reached 2,951, compared to 2,756 the previous year for an increase of 7%.

“Full details on our organization’s performance will be discussed at the convention this week,” Executive Secretary Alan F. Balch said. “The Association’s financial and membership numbers are very gratifying, and we owe great appreciation to our breeders, members, competitions and staff all for contributing to these results.

Balch said the association still faces a number of challenges ahead. “We just missed our goal of registering 3,000 Saddlebreds this year, even though we received just over that number of applications,” Balch said. “The number of mares bred has been declining in recent years. That problem as well as stimulating new competitions while preserving the ones we have must be faced directly.”

The association’s convention is set for this week, Thursday through Saturday, February 17-19, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Lexington, KY. Saturday, February 19’s highlights include a full morning of brainstorming the future of the Saddlebred, the Annual Meeting of members, a luncheon highlighted by an appearance of Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer, afternoon forums and the American Saddlebred Ball at the Keeneland Entertainment Center.~~~