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The American Saddlebred Association of the Carolinas held its 40th annual convention and awards banquet on February 8-9, 2019, at the Embassy Suites, in Concord, North Carolina.

Friday night featured a “Wild West Family Night” including a live auction, DJ, trainers’ bull riding challenge, best western attire contest, and a variety of activities for all ages. This fun-filled evening was produced by John and Erin Fann’s Event Mix.

On Saturday morning, the following officers and board members were elected at the general membership meeting:

• President – Karol Kunkle
• Vice-President – Chris Bishop
• Secretary – Betsy Boone
• Treasurer – Beth Viering Grant
• NC Corresponding Secretary – Kathy Carpenter
• SC Corresponding Secretary – Suzanne Wright
• Show Affiliate – Sandra Hall
• NC Professional – Paul Boone
• SC Amateur – Brenda Pulis

The following individuals were elected as ASAC Youth officers for 2019:

• President: Gracie Ledet
• Vice President: Carolyn Baker
• Secretary: Caroline Josephson
• Treasurer: Corbin Bumgarner
• Historian: Brooke Calisto
• Publicist: Emma Robinson

Saturday’s luncheon, “Hot Topics,” featured a panel who knowledgeably, and bravely, tackled a wide range of questions intended to inform new families in the American Saddlebred industry about what happens at horse shows and in the show ring. The audience of more than 160 asked challenging and probing questions about “Everything You Always Wanted to Know…”

Other meetings held throughout the weekend included Carolinas Futurity, ASAC Board of Directors, ASAC AOTs, Riding Instructors, ASAC Youth, and UPHA Chapter 12. The hundreds of convention attendees also had an abundance of equine-related vendors to visit and shop.

The awards banquet on Saturday night had a sold-out, full house of 440 enthusiastic attendees, the largest attendance in many years. A special recognition goes to Margaret Poovey, convention chair, and Peyton Hamilton, who has served as master of ceremonies for many years.

An extra special “thank you” goes to the following event sponsors:

GRAND CHAMPION SPONSOR

• Window World
• Graceless Farm

CHAMPION SPONSOR

• Equidae Insurance

BLUE RIBBON SPONSOR

• Becker Brothers
• Cowley Insurance
• Kunkle Tire & Service Tire Pros
• Legacy Saddlebreds
• The Patchwork Pony
• WoodLea Farms LLC

BARN SPONSOR

• Brinkley Dental
• Event Mix
• Play it Again Designs
• Pair of Jacks Stables

ASAC SUPPORTERS

• Blowing Rock Horse Show Foundation
• Boone’s Farm & Stables
• Ellen Ogletree Brooks
• Don & Phyllis Brookshire
• Jack & Donna Finch
• Jeremy Wells
• Whittington & Associates
• The Competitive Equine
• The Perky Pony
• The Sultan Family

-- via ASAC