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Meeting News: April 10, 2003. Due to time constraints, the meeting web page didn't get updated as planned during the meeting. We are sorry about this. I will summarize the happenings here for those who missed things as they were progressing. Monday, April 7th. The reception in the evening for everyone to begin meeting went well. There were numerous people delayed in their arrival due to bad weather in many parts of the country, but the turnout was still around 40 people through the course of the evening. Most of them did arrive later that night, or the next morning, but several more parties wouldn't be able get to Ohio on time for the bulk of the meeting due to the weather. Tuesday, April 8th. After registration and check in at around 8:30 AM, the meeting got underway. It began with an introduction about why the meeting was being held, and then a bit on why there was a registry formed that was associated with the meeting. (for the group of people to be able to be included in Equine Affaire, who's rules require that there be a legal registry in order for a breed to be represented). Everyone in the room (about 65 people) then gave a brief introduction of themselves. Our overseas breeders were then introduces, and Michael Vine gave an overview of the breed. Break for lunch. After lunch, Becky Glover of the Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association spent about 45 minutes telling us what their goals were as an association, followed by a question and answer period. A short break followed Becky, and then Dennis Thompson of the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society gave his presentation on his group. Discussion, question and answer followed for nearly 2 hours. Following another short break, we had some more discussion on issues such as the name vanner, ideas and issues with the three separate groups, and general association questions and answers. The heads of the three groups decided that they would all meet in the morning to discuss possible unity between the groups. Break for the evening. Evening session. Michael Vine assisted by our other overseas breeders gave a presentation and a question and answer period on "What to look for in a good gypsy cob". Videos and pictures were used to demonstrate different types and styles of horses, and then to let people know what they look for in a good heavy cob. 7AM,
April 9, 2003. Before the regular morning meeting session, the board
members that were present from the three groups sat and discussed at
length the possibilities of merging into two groups, the traditional cob
group, and the drum horse group. April 21, 2003. At the present, the groups GCDHA and GHSA are working toward a merger. Once this is well underway, those two groups will work as one toward a merger with the GVHS. This should make a merger process a bit easier. More details posted later.
OLD MEETING INFORMATION The first annual gypsy horse breeders/owners/enthusiasts meeting will be held on April 8 and 9, 2003, at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, in Columbus, Ohio. This meeting will be held immediately preceding the Ohio Equine Affaire Horse Expo (April 10-13, 2003), so that attendees will have the opportunity to attend and/or participate in the Equine Affaire. The 2003 Ohio Equine Affaire already has booked the largest representation of gypsy horses at any single event in North America, so this is a great place to get together with your peers and show off those horses! If anyone attending the meeting would still like to exhibit horses at the Ohio Equine Affaire, contact Debbie Putnam at Phone/Fax: (603) 880-3046 Email: dputnam@equineaffaire.com. Tell her you are with the gypsy horses group! You can also get more information on Equine Affaire in general through their web site at www.equineaffaire.com At the meeting time, all of the independent gypsy horse registries will be represented, and one, unified gypsy horse registry will be established. This registry will be incorporated as a non-profit entity with by-laws, rules, and regulations. All of the rules, regulations, procedures, articles of incorporation, and breed standards, etc. will be written democratically, with input accepted from everyone attending or from anyone sending input before the meeting. A Board of Directors will be elected from members nominated and voted upon at the meeting. We are looking for input and participation in every aspect of this event. Everyone is invited to attend, whether or not you currently own a gypsy horse. This will be run as democratically as possible, with all voices being heard. This is the time to "step up to the plate" and put your hand in getting a national, democratic, registry started for gypsy horses. Meeting Links
We need volunteers! Every step of this process will be done by people like you who are wanting a proper, democratic registry to represent us and our horses. If you can help out in any aspect of this meeting or registry in general, please e-mail meeting@gypsyhorses.com MEETING NEWS Jan 24, 2003. The meeting arrangements are going wonderfully. We have nearly 100 people RSVPed for the event, and support and attendees from all over the world. Voting for the name of the association generated 88 unique, legitimate votes. There are a few different committees working on details of the meeting, registry, and agenda. There are even people working on sponsorships from around the equine industry, and support from at least one national magazine! If you would like to help out in putting together this historical event, e-mail meeting@gypsyhorses.com Memberships: Memberships will be taken at the time meeting. Although basic guidelines for the registry will be set up before the meeting, the permanent membership fees and details won't be decided until the meeting, so that everyone can have input in this as well. There will be absentee memberships and voting available at meeting time. This will be set up thru the internet, so that things are instantaneous. This way, even future members who can't attend the meeting can be a part of the organization of this association. Additional
meeting volunteers to contact for information:
Feb 28, 2003 - Renowned gypsy horse artist James Taylor, known throughout the UK for being one the top gypsy artists, will be in attendance at the meeting and thru the course of Equine Affaire. He will be bringing along many of the beautiful items that he creates, and they will be made available to attendees of the meeting. James is also a gypsy horse owner/breeder, and will be available for questions and information along with the other breeders from England. More information "straight from the horse's mouth" for meeting attendees!
March 25, 2003 - It's final agenda time! The committees working on such details are ready to put together the final agenda for the meeting. If you have anything in particular that you want time set aside for, contact Crystal at WaldensDixieChic@aol.com March 28, 2003 - Don't forget the reception on Monday evening before the meeting (April 7). This will be a great opportunity for people to start getting to know each other, especially our overseas visitors! The time for the reception is 7-9 pm, and dress is casual. There will be hors'dourves and an open cash bar. See you all there! March 28, 2003During the meeting, a separate web page will be set up and maintained to allow people that couldn't attend to follow along with the happenings. This page will then turn into the web site for the formal organization after the meeting. The association's new web address will be www.gypsyhorses.org. April 2, 2003 - A professional video will be made of the whole week's happenings, from meeting days and evening events, to the breed demo on Sunday. This will be done for historical record and will be made available for purchase on video and DVD after the meeting.
Note: If you are a gypsy horse breeder and advertise your farm on the web or in print, feel free to duplicate this page in it's original format for publicity of this important event. Permission is also given to link directly to this page from any gypsy horse related site. This page will have no direct links to any particular gypsy horse farm or organization, and will remain completely unbiased throughout.
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