Southwest Walking Horse Breeders Association By-Laws
Amended April 2009

ARTICLE I

Name and Location:

The name of this corporation shall be the Southwest Walking Horse Breeders Association. Its domicile and principal place of business shall be the address of the President. The Corporation must also have official offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Texas, as the Board of Directors may determine as the business of the Corporation may require. There is no capital stock in the corporation. This association shall be operate as a non-profit corporation.

ARTICLE II

Purpose:

To exhibit Tennessee Walking Horses registered with the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association, Racking Horse Breeders Association of America, Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association, and Gaited Pleasure Horses.

1. To encourage and promote the exhibition of Walking Horses, Racking Horses and Spotted Saddle Horses at all bona-fide horse shows.
2.  To follow the rules and regulations of “SHOW” HIO.
3. To promote the excellence of the breeds
4. To present high point awards to members attaining the greatest number of points in designated divisions of accredited horse shows.
5. To present a Trainer of the Year Award
6. To sponsor or support a Futurity of Walking Horses

ARTICLE III

Membership:

Membership shall be of the following types:
 
a) Individual Membership:  Any individual, 18 years old and over including a Corporation or  Partnership.
b) Family Membership:  Any family unit composed of immediate family members (i.e., parents of grandparents and children under 18 years of age)
c) Associate Membership:  An adult associate member is any person 18 years and over interested in Walking, Racking, Spotted Saddle or Gaited Pleasure horse. Adult associate members are not entitled to voting privileges
nor can they receive High-Point Awards. A minor associate member is any person 17 years and under as of January 1 of the membership year. A minor associate member is not entitled to vote, but is entitled to receive High Point Awards.
                                                                                                                                         
Application for membership shall be made in writing to a member of the Board of Directors, accompanied by payment of dues. Dues are recommended by the Board and approved by a majority vote of membership.

Membership can be terminated by:

a) Failure to pay annual dues
b) Suspensions of expulsion by the majority vote at any meeting of the membership. This action must be recommended by the Board of Directors. Members must be notified in writing of this action by the Board of Directors.

Membership shall run from January 1 – December 31 and it’s neither transferable nor assignable. A membership list shall be kept by the secretary. The list shall be kept current, accurate and available for the membership upon request.

ARTICLE IV

Board of Directors:

The Board of Directors shall consist of seven (7) members, and one alternate elected for a term of one year, or until their successors have been duly elected. The term of office for the Board of Directors shall run from annual meeting to annual meeting of the membership. The Board of Directors may hold consecutive terms of office, both individually and collectively.

Special meeting of the Board may be called by the President at any time and any place, upon twenty-four (24 hours’ notice). A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting and a majority of such quorum shall decide upon any questions that may property come before the meeting. The order of business at all meeting of the Board shall be:

a) Roll Call
b) Reading and dispose of minutes
c) Reports of officers and committees
d) Unfinished business
e) Elections, if any
f) New Business
g) Adjournment

In the event of any vacancy in the Board or the Officers because of death, resignation, or other cause, the vacancy will be filled by the alternate, who shall hold office for the expired term. Special meeting of the Board may be called by a majority of the Board upon five (5) days’ notice to each Director. The President shall have the power to vote in Board Meetings only when necessary to break ties. The Board may appoint any committees it determined are necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Association.


Special Meetings called by the President of Board Members may be given in writing via mail or email to all Board Members.

ARTICLE V

Officers:

Officers are elected by the Board of Directors at each annual meeting. This Association shall have a President, as many Vice Presidents as the Board shall fill, a Secretary, and a Treasure.

Officers shall hold office for one year, or until their successor have been duly elected and qualified. The term of office for Officers shall run from annual meeting to annual meeting for the membership. Officers may hold consecutive terms of office, both individually and collectively. The ranking Officer present shall conduct meeting or other affairs for the Association in the absence of the President.

Duties of the President:

The President shall call an annual meeting at the time and place of his/her choosing. The President shall preside at all meeting of the Association and the Board of Directors, and shall conduct the business of the Association in accord with the By-Laws and subject to the power of the Board of Directors to alter and specific act of the President upon a majority vote of the total Board. He/She shall be Ex-Officio member of all committees. At the close of the term of the office, the President shall turn over to the successor all Association property. The ranking officer present shall conduct meeting of the other affairs of the Association in the absence of the President.

Duties of the Vice President:

He/She shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence.

Duties of the Secretary:

He/She shall give notice of all meetings of the membership or of the Directors. He/She shall keep an accurate and correct record of membership. He/She shall keep an accurate and permanent record of meetings of the membership and Directors. He/She shall be an Ex-Officio member of all committees. At the close of term, He/She shall turn all of the successors all documents, membership information and other property of the Association.

Duties of the Treasurer:

He/She shall keep an accurate and correct record of all deposits, checks. He/She shall give an updated treasure report at all Board meetings as well as at the Annual Membership Meeting. At the close of term, He/She shall turn over the successor all documents and other property of the Association.

Duties of the Futurity Chairman:

He/She must be a member of the Association, appointed by the Board to keep all Futurity records and monies. He/She shall run the Futurity and shall appoint as may assistants from the membership as necessary.

All officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors from among members of the Association. The High-Point and Futurity Chairman may be serving on the Board of Directors, but they are not required to a Board Member

ARTICLE VI

Meetings:

The annual meeting of the members of the Association shall be at a time and place directed by the President and called upon at least thirty (30) days written notice to each member. At this annual meeting, business of the Association shall be transacted and a statement of the finances given. The Board of Directors shall be elected by the members; The Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Business shall be conducted at the annual meeting regardless of the number of members present. Business shall be transacted by a majority vote of the members present.

Special meeting of the membership may be called by the President or by the majority of the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the membership may be called by thirty-three and one third percent (33 1/3%) of the members. Members shall be given fifteen (15) days written notice of special meetings or by emailing all members giving fifteen (15) days’ notice).

A quorum shall consist of thirty-three and one third percent (33 1/3%) of the members. Business shall be transacted by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting. All other meetings shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VII

Voting:

Each individual membership, including corporations and partnerships, shall be entitled to one vote. Each family membership shall be entitled to two votes. An associate membership is not entitled to vote. Proxy votes shall be counted if written authorization is received by the Secretary prior to the meeting.

 ARTICLE VIII

Elections:

At each annual meeting a new Board of Directors shall be elected in the following matter:

a)     The president shall take not less an eight (8) nor more than twelve (12) Nominations from the floor.
b)     Nominees must be members of the Association.
c)     At the close of the nomination there shall be a vote by secret ballot for the seven Directors, and one alternate: i.e. members will vote for eight nominees.
d)     The seven nominees with the highest number of votes shall constitute the Board of Directors. The nominee with the eight highest numbers of votes shall be designated as an alternate.

The Board of Directors shall elect officers during the annual meeting.

 ARTICLE IX

Finances:

All monies received by the Association shall constitute a fund to defray the expenses of the transactions of the Association. The Treasure is responsible for receiving and dispersing all monies, except Futurity funds, which are received and dispersed by the Futurity Chairman. Accurate records of all transactions shall be kept. Dues for memberships to this Association shall be recommended by the Board of Directors and shall be approved by a majority vote of the membership.

 

ARTICLE X

Special Awards:

In each calendar year the Association shall present an award for Trainer of the Year.

Trainer of the Year shall me a merit award based on high point results. Cumulative totals shall be kept for each horse under a Trainer’s direction by the High Point Chairman. It is the Trainer’s responsibility to keep the High Point Chairman apprised of the horses under his direction.

The time and place of the Awards Presentation shall be set by the Board of Directors.

 ARTICLE XI

High-Point Shows and System:

High-Point shall be kept on horse shows designated as High Point Shows. These are determined by a majority vote of the membership each calendar year. All shows that benefit the Association shall be automatically considered High-Point Shows.

a)      High-Point shows from the previous year are automatically included on the ballot.
b)      High-Point shows must be SHOW affiliated.
c)      Must include classes for both built-up and pleasure walking horses
d)      Show Management must request in writing to the Board of Directions to be included in the current ballot.
e)      Ballot must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

High Point system shall be established by the Board of Directors, and approved by a majority vote of the members. Points count after membership is paid for the current year, except in the case of a show that comes before the Board is in place. Then a cut-off date shall be determined by the Board as to when points will not be counted until the membership is received. Points on an individual horse are transferable only if, and when, the new owner is a member of the Association. In order for an exhibitor to earn High Points which are awarded to the rider, both the exhibitor and owner of the horse being exhibited must be in good standing. Points shall be kept by at least 2 members designed by the Board of Directors, with 1 being the High-Point Chairman. The categories in which high-points are earned will be evaluated at the beginning of each year and changes made as the Board deems necessary.

ARTICLE XII

Futurity:

Exhibitors and owners shall be members of this Association and horses shall be registered with the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors Association.

The Futurity Chairman shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and must be a member of this Association.

Classes, rules and regulations shall be recommended by the Futurity Chairman and approved by the majority vote of the Board. All Futurity monies shall be received by and dispersed by the Futurity Chairman and as approved by the Board. All entries and class results shall be received by the Futurity Chairman and retained for record.

ARTICLE XIV

Amendment of the By-Laws:

Any By-Law may be amended at any annual or special meeting of the member of the Association, upon Fifteen Days (15) written and/or Email Notice to each member. The By-Laws may also be amended by mailing a ballot to each member showing the form of the proposed amendment. Notice of any meeting called to amend the By-Laws shall be mailed or emailed to the last known address or mailing address to each member. No amendment shall be accepted except upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the ballot case by members, if said voting is performed by mail or email, or by two-thirds of the members present at an annual or special meeting of the membership of the Association.

Southwest Walking Horse Breeder’s Association  High Point System

                                                     Revised 11-2012

The purpose of the High-Point Award system is to encourage, reward and promote the exhibition of the Tennessee Walking Horse, Racking Horse, Spotted Saddle Horse and Gaited Pleasure Horses by presenting annual High Point Awards to first and second place winners in several divisions.

Eligibility and General Rules

 (a)  Dues must be paid in order for members of the SWHBA to be considered in good standing and qualify for High-Points. Only Individual, Family and Minor Associate Members are eligible.

 (b) In order for a horse to be eligible to earn High-Points, his current registered owner must be a member of the Association in good standing. The owner listed in the official show results will be assumed to be the registered owner. A horse that is sold during the year will not lose any points it has earned when being sold from one member to another in good standing. In the case of a new member, points will not be continued until the dues have been received by the Treasure.

 (c)  High-Points will be accumulated on an annual basis, from January 1 to December 31.

 (d)  Horses or riders earning the exact same number of points toward a High-Point division will receive the same award and recognition on an equal basis.

 (e)  The Board of Directors will designate what awards are to be purchased and the cost of the awards shall be paid out of the Association’s general funds. The Board shall also designate the place and time the awards will be presented.

Accredited Shows:

The accredited Shows are decided upon at the beginning of each year by a majority ballot vote of the membership. If a show falls within the month of January or February, the Board of Directors may vote to automatically include those shows as long as it was a high point show previous year.

Point Counts:

Points will be earned in all divisions based on the number of days a show has classes eligible for High-Points as follows:

Class “A” Shows – 3 days or more

Class “B” Shows – 2 days

Class “C” Shows – 1 day

(A show which last 3 days but only has High-Point classes on 1 day would be considered a Class “C” Show)

Points are earned according to the following table, and are to the doubled for Championship Classes REQUIRING A QUALIFYING CLASS

POINTS EARNED

Place                          Class “A” Show        Class “B” Show        Class “C” Show

1                                              15                                10                                5

2                                              14                                9                                  4       

3                                              13                                8                                  3                     

4                                              12                                7                                  2         

5                                              11                                6                                  1

6                                              5                                  3

7                                              4                                  2

8                                              3                                  1

9                                              2

10                                            1

High-Point Records:

A list of accredited High-Point Shows for the current year will be available from the Secretary. The Board of Directors shall appoint a minimum of two (2) members of the Association to be responsible for maintaining the High-Point Records. The different divisions with High-Point awards may vary from year to year, as determined by the Board of Directors after appraisal of the past year’s needs.

High – Point Divisions:

Divisions with awards to the horse:

Performance Horses:

Open Performance                                           Amateur 3 & Under

Open 4 year olds                                             Amateur 4 year olds                    

Open 3 & Under                                              Amateur Specialty

Show Pleasure                                                Amateur Park Performance

Open Park Performance                                   

Youth 17 & Under Performance

                                       Performance Horse of the Year

Pleasure Horses:

Park Pleasure – Open                              Lite Shod – Open

Park Pleasure – 4 & Under                        Lite Shod -  4 & Under

Amateur Park Pleasure – Specialty             Lite Shod Amateur – Specialty

Park Pleasure – Youth                           Lite Shod - Youth   

Trail Pleasure – 4 & Under                         Country Pleasure 4 & Under

Trail Pleasure – Canter                             Country Pleasure

Trail Pleasure –Specialty                           Country Pleasure - Youth

Trail Pleasure - Youth

Spotted Saddle Horse                            Spotted Saddle Horse Trail Pleasure

Model           

                                                Pleasure Horse of the Year

Racking Horses:

Built Up Racking                                        Flat Shod Racking

Country Pleasure Racking                            Pleasure Racking

Racking Horse - Youth

                                       Racking Horse of the Year

Divisions with awards to the Rider:

Performance Horse, Amateur Lady Rider (18 & Over)

Performance Horse, Gentleman Rider (18 & Over)

Performance Horse, Youth

Pleasure, Lady Rider (18 & Over)

Pleasure, Gentleman (18 & Over)

Pleasure, Youth

Equitation, Youth

Earning High –Points in High –Point divisions:

All Classes in which the horse is judged will earn points toward the overall High-Point Walking, Pleasure or Racking award in addition to the specific High – Point Division, if there is one. EVERY Class a horse shows in will count toward High-Point Horse, even if there is no other High-Point Division for that class. It is therefore possible for a horse to win an over-all High Point Award without winning a Divisional Award.

With the exception of Over-all High- Point Awards, divisional points will be earned according to class description. Amateurs do not receive Amateur Rider points in open classes. As a general rule, Open Classes count toward a High Point Division for the Horse. Amateur classes count toward a High-Point Division for the Horse and for the Amateur Rider. Youths receive points only in under saddle classes, and youths showing in Amateur classes do not receive Amateur Rider points.

All in-hand classes will count toward the horse.