[RC] History behind NASS and ASAV, the two SHAGYA registries - Donna Coss
I have to thank Richard Sacks for
the kind words, but also need to correct some of the statements.
NASS was formed in 1987 to register Shagya and half-bred Shagya
horses. Bylaws were written at that time which made it impossible for
anyone to be electedto the BOD. There were never any national
meetings! One of the bylaws Section 9 voting At all
meeting of the members, the vote of or action of members shall be of NO
binding effect upon the BOD, which may disregard such vote or action,
treating the same as advisory only. At one time there were 200
members! Sadly today, there are under 100. The enthusiasm created in
the early 90's just slowly sifted away. Breeders were frustrated!
They requested co-op Ads and were told "NO"!
This continued until 2002 when I hosted an international breed seminar
at my farm and paid to have Gaby Conradty, of Germany, as the guest of
honor. Ms. Conradty was then the president of the ISG, the
international governing body for the Shagya breed. I requested an
open meeting for NASS members. The NASS attorney wrote to me to "cease
and desist" The NASS BOD would not sanction an open meeting at
my farm or anywhere! Guess what happened, every NASS BOD member
showed up for the seminar, an event never before seen in the 15 year
history of NASS. Was their a meeting, of course not!
Many members were totally frustrated because NASS, under the sanction
of ISG, was the only Shagya association without democratic bylaws. We
live in a democracy, right?!! At the same time it was observed,
that in the opinion of many, NASS was not living up to the ISG bylaws!
This is when the idea for ASAV was formed. Many people were involved
and a new association was formed that would operate under the auspices
of ISG and the group would also actively promote the Shagya horse.
Something that many felt, had been sadly lacking for 15 years!
>From the beginning, ASAV has hosted an annual, open meeting, held near
Louisville, Ky. at the farm of Darlene Stevens, who is also our
president. I cannot begin to tell you the enthusiasm displayed by
members, guests and friends! ASAV has made great progress since it's
non-profit incorporation. ASAV held their first breed inspection in
2004! The membership has increased rapidly. There has been talk of a
unification of the two associations. Will this happen, time will tell!
Many of the founding members of ASAV have been termed many things and
faced many obstacles, but one trait they all have in common--they are
passionate about their chosen breed, frustrated that it's taken so many
years to achieve recognition and all believe in a democratic way of
life.
We really are not rabble rousers! Just dedicated, hard working people!
