AOT Corner…February

As we move forward into 2009 and a new show season is right on our heels, I’d like to take this moment to reflect back on the past few years. We’ve come along way from only having a few AOT classes offered here and there, to nearly every show now with as least two qualifying classes and some offering AOT Championships. For the past two years the club has sponsored every AOT class offered in the Carolina’s and we will be able to do the same for 2009. We have seen our AOT members step up and go the extra mile in support of ASAC events and functions. If there is something that needs to be done, the AOT’s aren’t shy about offering a hand.

We’re a hard working, determined group, and still have a lot of hard work ahead of us. With the formation of an AOT Committee, through the ASHA Charter Club Council, we will be able to make strides toward avenues of communication throughout each region, set in motion the foundation for USEF/ASHA recognized AOT guidelines, and see the formation of new AOT clubs.

New for 2009 is the formation of an AOT Logo Committee. We already have a few good designs and ideas and still have the designs submitted from two years back. We should have the funding this year to move forward with an ASAC AOT logo and hope to have it ready for display on hats, t-shirts, and saddle pads by the end of the year. We welcome any and all ideas. Also, we are actively putting together an AOT Scrapbook. We need to capture our history and would appreciate any pictures from the past few years that you would like included (AOT functions, clinics, show pictures, around the barn, etc…). 

I’m very proud to be apart of this group of folks from the Carolina’s.  Whether AOT or ASAC member/supporter, we all have the same love and compassion for our breed and want to see it continue to grow for generations to come.

Looking forward to another year of fun and fellowship with friends!

Pam Quick

ASAC AOT Club

President

It’s hard to believe the 2008 show season has come to an end. The AOTers have continued to grow in numbers and AOT classes were offered at almost every show in the Carolinas. 

Just a quick recap for 2008: AOTers ran the West Winter Tournaments through the efforts of an all volunteer staff. Shan and I attended the ASHA Annual Meeting to represent AOTers and spread the word about our one and only AOT Club. We sponsor and host coffee/pastries each morning during the ASAC Horse Show,assisted ASAC in the promotion of  Saddlebreds during the Charlotte Jumper Classic by setting up the ASAC promotional booth and having volunteers on hand to greet and tell folks about our wonderful breed. We ran a concession stand during the ASAC Fun Show as a fundraiser for the club. Several AOTers volunteered to participate in a breed demo held during the grand opening celebrations for a new local riding program that targets troubled children/teens (not to mention it was when gas was $4/gallon, if you could find it and the same weekend that the heavens opened up to flooding rains!) 

The AOT Club presented Lindsey Newsom and A Piece of the Roc with an appreciation plaque during Rocky’s retirement celebration at the Dallas Fall Classic. 

We were invited to setup an unmanned booth to promote the ASAC AOT Club at the 1st Raleigh Invitational show. At our AOT board meeting during the Dallas Fall horse show, we decided to give back to our equine friends by donating monies to three worthy beneficiaries: Happy Hooves, NC Horse Protection Society, and CalicoHaven.

Through the year’s fundraisers, we were able to sponsor every AOT class offered here in the Carolinas. The Blue Ridge Classic will offer AOT classes in 2009 and we are keeping fingers crossed about the addition of AOT classes for the NC State Championship. More information will be available for the possibility of AOT Regional Championships in 2009.

Lastly, I was asked to join the ASHA Charter Club Council, a big step for my fellow AOTers. Oh my, we were busy!

Thank you everyone that has supported us and helped us to be an asset to ASAC and to the Saddlbred industry.  We hope to continue the same for 2009. The AOT Club will hold a members meeting during the ASAC Convention and open the floor for officer positions. All board positions are one year terms.  We are tentatively planning an AOT clinic in February, and will post more information when available. We are always open for your comments and welcome your suggestions. Feel free to contact any of the AOT officers with questions or concerns.

Thanks for your support!

Pam Quick
ASAC AOT Club
President