A PERFECT ROUND AT THE ROLEX KENTUCKY 3-DAY EVENT
The AFA Executive Committee, along with the WEG Committee, met for four days of gathering information, sharing ideas, and getting the AFA name out ti the horse-owning public during the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event.
Attending the Lexington event were President Dick Fanguy, CJF, President-Elect Eric Nygaard, CJF, Vice President Steve Sermersheim, CJF, Treasurer John Blombach, CJF, Secretary Thom Gabel, CJF, Professional Farrier™ Editor Danvers Child, CJF and Professional Farrier™ Art Director April Raine. In addition to this wonderful group, a number of top-notch AFA farriers were on site to shoe any Rolex horse needing a touch up.
Thursday proved to be a busy day, as the AFA Executive Committee met with several contacts to discuss day-to-day items in regards to the AFA Office. The day began with a very informative meeting with Kate Jackson and Sherry Frank, representatives of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Although our time with them was limited due to the flurry of Rolex activites, the EC was able to gather invaluable information and get answers to questions that will allow us to move forward with WEG planning.
Following the WEG meeting was a good hour and a half spent discussing AFA Office computer and database issues with Russ Hensley of Hensley, Elam and Associates. With every EC member now on the same page in regards to the problems we need to overcome, they are now fully confident that we will have a plan in hand shortly as to how to proceed.
The afternoon was finished off with a face-to-face meeting with Morgan Fry, a representative from Aflac insurance. Mr. Fry presented several insurance options for AFA members that the EC is now reviewing. Stay tuned for more details as they arrive.
Friday through Sunday whirled by in a flurry of activity as we unveiled our new AFA booth and visited with many of the 20,000+ people in attendance for the competition as well as the sprawling Rolex Trade Fair. Along with the AFA Office staff, AFA Chapter representatives from Alabama (APHA), Arkansas (AHA), Georgia (GPFA), Florida (FSFA), Indiana (IFA), Illinois (LLHA), Kentucky, New England (SNEFA), and Ohio (MEFA & SWOFA) greeted visitors and fielded questions ranging from “How do I become a member?” to “What exactly is founder?” The new booth proved to be a wonderful way to attract horse owners, to provide a plethora of information, and to get the AFA name out where it belongs.
The AFA Office would like to thank everyone who lent a hand to make this event a success across the board. Needless to say, this will not be the last appearance of the AFA at Rolex.
**Special thanks to Dave Purves, CF, D. Paul Dorris, CF, Jason Gilliland, CJF, Doug Hopper, CF, and Harlan Pennington, who helped us tremendously!**