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MANDATORY NRHA PROFESSIONALS MEMBERSHIP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mandatory NRHA Professionals Memberships

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THE DEBATE

Three rule change proposals are on the table in 2008 which, if passed, would mandate an annual NRHA Professionals membership for any rider who shows in any Open NRHA class, Open aged event or Open Freestyle competition.  The exception would only be NRHA Non Pro and Youth Non Pro card holders.

 

Another related rule change proposal would double the current NRHA Professionals dues from $25 to $50 annually.

 
As of spring 2008, the NRHA Website listed 209 NRHA Professionals.  At $25 per membership, that was $5,225 in revenue generated by that program. We attempted to find in past NRHA Professionals meeting notes where NRHA Professionals funds were budgeted, expensed or accounted for, but found nothing.

If the numbers submitted by the 2006 Finance Committee are correct, approximately 2,500 individuals participated in Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open and Rookie Professional classes in 2006.  Multiply that number by the proposed $50 NRHA Professionals Membership Dues, and that totals $125,000 in revenue.  (NOTE: it is logical to conclude that a portion of those entries were carded non pros or youth, and thus would not be required to join NRHA Professionals)

The proposals, as stated on NRHA's Rule Change Proposal Forms, do not address the need for the revenue, where the revenue would be utilized, nor which value center within the Association will gain benefit.

DUAL MEMBERSHIP

Some feel that mandating this proposed NRHA Professionals membership - over and above the current NRHA Open annual membership fee of $95 - reeks of the mandatory dual membership which was rejected in the failed Strategic Plan of early 2007, and again regarding Bylaw J at the 2007 general election.* 

 

The apparent intent of the proposed NRHA Professionals membership requirement seems to be to regulate NRHA professionals' Code of Conduct and behavior within the industry.  However, the Code of Conduct included in NRHA's Non Pro Declaration accomplishes a similar purpose with a ONE-TIME initial fee.  Unless a Non Pro membership expires, the fee is never assessed again.  Note that both professionals and non pro members are subject to standard disciplinary procedures for violations of NRHA Rules.

Many Open riders with past NRHA Professionals memberships have not renewed in subsequent years, stating no notable benefit of membership.  However, there is definite discrimination by NRHA administration between members VS non members.  For instance, The Reiner Magazine's policy is to NOT publish articles on trainers who are not NRHA Professionals members.

 

WHAT ABOUT RIGHTS?

Another unique consideration is the rights of reining horse trainers who are NOT NRHA Professional members.  There is an additional proposed rule change that is bedfellow to the mandatory membership requirement.  This proposal not only outlines NRHA Professionals conditions, i.e. what constitutes an NRHA Professional, but goes so far as to state that;

  • "Advertising as a trainer/instructor in NRHA media requires membership in the NRHA Professionals",

  • "The Professional Committee will screen all applicants.  The Professional Committee can require at any time a Professional to submit his/her card for review of applicability.  The Professional Committee can refuse a Professional card to anyone deemed not in compliance with the eligibility criteria set forth in the NRHA Handbook."

  • and "Professional status will be granted on a temporary basis and is subject to revocation pending publication in the NRHA Reiner and approval by the Professionals Committee.  Professional status will be null and void and any Professional earnings and prizes will be forfeited if it is determined that the applicant is not eligible under the NRHA Professional conditions, as defined in the NRHA Handbook.  Failure to comply with the application requirement as specified in this Handbook may result in disciplinary action."

Open riders pay their standard NRHA dues and/or lifetime memberships.  Should they be required to also submit themselves to the scrutiny of an NRHA committee?  And if they chose not to join, should they be denied the privilege of advertising in the association's own publication?  And above all, should they be subject to disciplinary action?

 

THE REAL QUESTION

The real question is what is the motivation behind these proposals?  Is it simply to increase overall revenue for the NRHA?  Is it to discourage trainers from other disciplines from showing in Open NRHA classes?  Is it to try to reintroduce the previously proposed and substantial increase in NRHA Open membership dues in a camouflaged package?  Or is it an attempt to make NRHA a more exclusive, elitist performance horse association?

 

As was the case with several past controversial rule change proposals, many associations may be recommending that the Board of Directors NOT approve this one. 

 

What do you think?  TAKE THE POLL on the rule change page!

 

all related rule change proposals & polls:

 

*Bylaw J called for an end to the dual membership requirement of Reining Canada in addition to regular NRHA membership for Canadian NRHA exhibitors.  Despite the Bylaw J passing at the 2007 NRHA General Election, the NRHA Board of Directors voted shortly thereafter to impose a dual membership requirement for Canadian NRHA exhibitors who wished to participate in the NAAC Affilliate Circuit Series.  As of spring 2008, it appeared that of the 1,100 NRHA members in Canada, fewer than 400 had elected to join Reining Canada. 

 

 

Disclosure:  “In The Zone” is a cooperative effort between Whoazone.com founders and contributing members of the National Reining Horse Association.  It's intent is to educate and involve NRHA's membership regarding the political, functional and administrational issues facing the NRHA.  Comments and viewpoints presented herein are not necessarily those of Whoazone.com.

 

 

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