ASHA and its Charter Clubs are dedicated to the promotion of the breed. Charter Clubs have been established to expand recognition of and participation with American Saddlebreds in all areas of the United States and several countries. Charter Clubs have enjoyed outstanding growth in membership and services. ASHA is committed to supporting the Charter Clubs and their members with a variety of growing resources designed to make promotion of American Saddlebreds easier and more effective than ever before. We encourage members to use ASHA's resources. The following are ways we can work together to introduce more people to satisfying participation with American Saddlebred horses:
- Forward a copy of your Charter Club's newsletter to ASHA. This is the best way to let ASHA know what your Club is doing. This will also assist ASHA in recognizing your Charter Club’s efforts in American Saddlebred magazine, letting other ASHA members know of your achievements in supporting the breed.
- Inform your members about ASHA membership and benefits. ASHA is your source of information and resources regarding issues directly affecting the breed. Keeping your Charter Club’s membership informed and encouraging them to participate in these issues will strengthen both ASHA and your Club, and help the Saddlebred industry become stronger and more diverse.
- Participate in ASHA events. Show the Saddlebred world that your Club cares – make a donation to the ASHA Foundation Silent Auction, which is held each year during the World's Championship Horse Show and supports ASHA Youth Programs in which your youths participate! Send a representative from your Club to the ASHA Convention/Annual Meeting (Lexington, Kentucky, in February), where they will get together with other Charter Club representatives to discuss different topics relative to the promotion of the breed and the operation of Charter Clubs.
- Nominate your Club for the ASHA Charter Club of the Year award. This award was established to recognize Charter Clubs that have done an outstanding job in promoting the breed and offering services to their membership. Let everyone know what makes your Club the best.
- Involve your youths in ASHA Youth Programs. ASHA has a strong and vibrant Youth Department, with programs for kids who show, to kids who are still dreaming about owning a horse. Contact ASHA if you need more information on youth programs.
- Help promote ASHA recognition programs. Have your club submit nominations of outstanding individuals in your Club for the following awards: ASHA Breeders' Award, to go to an individual who has made lasting contributions to the field of breeding American Saddlebred horses; C. J. Cronan Sportsmanship Award, to honor a gentleman who has exhibited sportsmanship in the industry; Lurline Roth Sportsmanship Award, to honor a woman who is admired for her sportsmanship; Meritorious Service, to acknowledge the service an individual has given to ASHA and the industry as a whole; and the Gordon Jenkins International Award, to recognize the achievements of an individual for the promotion of the breed outside the United States. The deadline for nominations to any of these awards is October 1 of each year. Nominees to the Frank Ogletree award, which acknowledges sportsmanship in an outstanding youth, are due by October 31.
- Utilize the Web. ASHA provides web links for all its Charter Clubs with sites. Please ensure your club provides a reciprocal link to ASHA. This way, your members can access the resources and information available from ASHA, and newcomers visiting the ASHA site can contact the club in their area to learn how to become more involved with Saddlebreds.
- Keep your Charter Club as active members of ASHA. The ASHA office receives a multitude of phone calls from individuals who are looking for Saddlebred barns or activities in their area. By keeping your club active, your club stays on the list so that we may refer these callers.
