ARTICLE - Year End Registrations and Transfers per Equus Magazine

So I got my January 2009 issue of Equus magazine today. They do a year-end comparison of stats from previous years on new registrations and transfers of ownership among the major horse breeds that are popular in America. Here's the stats concerning the TWH registry, the only USDA-recognized TWH registry being TWHBEA.

New Registrations

2003: 14,978
2007: 9,345
2008: 9,200

Transfers of Ownership

2003: 17,511
2007: 13,272
2008: 12,100

So what does this mean? Well, they do a complete comparison chart in the magazine, so this gives us a comparison between breeds. First, it's important to note that all the breeds listed had a decrease in transfers of ownership except the Saddlebreds. All breeds had a decrease in new registrations except Quarter Horses and Saddlebreds. I do think this is a trend we will see for a while because of the downturn of the economy, especially in the horse industry.

So what it comes down to is where is the largest decrease. Here's the percentages I came up with from the data in the article.

Appaloosas: NR 5% decrease, TO 11% decrease

Arabians: NR 1% decrease, TO 5% decrease

Half-Arabians: NR 7% decrease, TO 14% decrease

Morgans: NR 14% decrease, TO 5% decrease

Paints: NR 9% decrease, TO 12% decrease

Quarter Horses: NR 3% increase, TO 2% decrease

Saddlebreds: NR 2% increase, TO 1% increase

Standardbreds: NR 1% decrease, TO 2% decrease<

Tennessee Walkers: NR 2% decrease, TO 9% decrease

Thoroughbreds: NR 3% decrease, transfers are not tracked.

So should TWHBEA be worried? You bet. It's not a huge decrease compared to some of the other breeds, but it is still a decrease. Plus, with TWHBEA, their goal is to force everyone who transfers their ownership to pay for a membership. The membership fee is tacked onto the transfer fee when a new TWH owner has their horse's papers transferred into their ownership. So, this means that if the transfers of ownership are down, then so is the amount of new members.

I don't know if this is a good representation overall, though, because of the serious downturn in the economy and the long-term downturn we've seen in the horse industry in general for the past few years. So, since Equus reports this information every year, we might get a better idea of what's going on when our economy turns around.

NWHA 2008 Nationals Video Presentation

This is a great video posted on YouTube by NWHA to show how great their TWHs are in the show ring. Look at the smooth movements and fluid motion of these horses. THIS is what the flat walk and running walk are all about. Even the Planation horses looked normal and didn't have mechanical animation. Click here for the video.

I have the DVDs from the NWHA Nationals, and although I haven't watched them all yet, I am so impressed so far with what I saw. The judges placed the horses exactly as they should have been placed. It is so nice to watch these animals really being showcased for what they truly are.

NEWS and ARTICLES - World Equestrian Games TWH Presentation Update

Click here for the article.

Direct quote from the article:

At the Request of the WEG, they [the TWHBEA] will not bring any horses wearing padded shoes or chains around their front legs, both often used to exaggerate the gait of show horses.

YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was literally cheering here at work! THANK YOU to everyone who wrote letters to get this to happen. This makes my heart glad and is a huge step in the right direction! This also sends a clear message to TWHBEA that the Big Lick is NOT a good representation of the breed. Thank you, WEG!

Be sure to send a thank you letter to the WEG to let them know we appreciate their effort!

RESEARCH - HPA Docket concerning the Derickson case; Black Gold Farm & representatives disqualified for one year on the same case

Now this is very fascinating. I happened to find this HPA Docket online when I was trying to find out when the Dericksons received their ticket for soring Just American Magic. Click here for the link to the Docket. Unfortunately I can't post a PDF here, so if you'd like a PDF copy, please respond to this post to let me know.

This is fascinating, for if you take a look at the Order starting on page 38, Christopher B. Warley was issued a $2,200 civil penality and has been disqualified from showing, etc. for one year. Robbie J. Warley, possibly his wife, was also issued a $2,200 civil penality and disqualified for one year. Their farm, Black Gold Farm, was also fined and disqualified from showing, etc. for one year. There is specific detail in the docket as to why they were also fined. I'm not sure why this didn't end up in the news...?

Anyway, it's another farm and names to add to the Sore Horse People Not To Buy Horses From List. THANK YOU to the Court of Appeals for upholding the law in this case. We are SO happy to see it!

Edited 2-4-09 to correct the spelling of the Dickerson's last name.