It is important as we come to the end of 2008 that we, as an Association, take a look at just where we are and what we, the  entire membership, have  accomplished over the past 12 months.  It was generally been a very good year and it began with an excellent NWSA Convention held at the Embassy Suites Washington Square, Tigard, Oregon.  A highlight of the 2008 Convention was guest speaker Jimmy Robertson of Shelbyville, Ky.  This Annual celebration produced several new Board members - Tim Atwood (Marketing and Youth Activities), Doug Cross (Marketing), and Carol Court (Professional Rep.).  New officers were elected and numerous new committee assignments were made with Karen Lachman taking on the enormous responsibilities as President and Futurity Representative for 2008.  These assignments are all taken seriously with activity reports made to the NWSABoard at all meetings and progress has been made in addressing all of these challenging areas.  Your Board of Directors for this past year and their assignments and e-mail addresses are always listed on the back page of your Good Go as well as on our website. All Board members welcome your input and suggestions.

The year 2008 was essentially a good year for our NWSA Silver Circuit shows with the exception of the B.C. Country Classic Horse Show which had to be canceled because of the lack of entries.  It is the hope of many exhibitors that it can once again be held.  The facility is great for showing our horses and the hospitality of the hard working horse show committee is always excellent and appreciated by the exhibitors.

The Silver Circuit season started with the NWSA Spring Warm-Up Show held  March 28 - 30 at the Mt. Hood Equestrian Center in Boring Oregon.  Entries were very good, especially with this early date and somewhat nasty weather.  A number of improvements that were recently made in this facility were noted although more are needed.

Next on the list was the Yakima Mid Summer Horse Show held at the Central Washington State Fairgrounds on June 27 – 29.  Great progress has been made each year in many areas of this rather new annual show.  Entries were up and additional money was offered as well as a number of new classes.  Thanks goes to the entire Hayden family for their continued efforts to improve the show.

One of the larger Silver Circuit shows this past year was the Summer Showcase held at the Oregon Horse Center in Eugene, Oregon.  The Oregon Horse Center facility is one of those places our exhibitors really like to show.  The new horse show management this year helped with improvement of exhibitor relationships and the orderly receipt of show results.

Next on the list was the C-Fair Charity Horse Show held July 31 -August 3 at the Evergreen Equestrian Park in Monroe, Washington  This show is held in conjunction with a large number of Morgan Horse classes which makes for some challenges in scheduling.  Indications are that Saddlebred entries were approximately the same as 2007. but the Morgan Horse classes were very light.  Thanks goes to Court Stables and Morris Stables and their clients for digging into their own pockets to come up with the funds to get this show's Saddlebred Division it's "A" rating. At all of the Silver Circuit shows this year the Pleasure Horse classes have been strong and it was also true at this show.  This long lasting show continues to be a charity show.  Some improvement could be made in the prompt submission of show results.

The Oregon State Fair in Salem, Oregon was August 28 -31.  This year saw some decided improvements in the Saddlehorse section of the show, and particularly the horse show management.  It was also noted in the handling of parking for exhibitors, much improved.  Long time member of our Association, Margo Hepner-Hart, was the new horse show manager and was very receptive to suggestions on additional changes in scheduling, which have been a decided problem for exhibitors.  Entries in the Saddlebred section were about the same as the last several years.  Improvements were also made this year in the handling of the Horse Show office.

The star of the 2008 Northwest horse show season had to be the 2008 NWSA Fall Classic & Futurity.  A success it was and this term was used in describing this great horse show in the full report in the October newsletter.  It gives the entire membership a chance to participate not only as an exhibitor but as help in putting on this great Northwest tradition.  The extent of the volunteers from our membership is noted.  We can clearly claim that it was the best show on the entire West Coast this year for our breed.  We must also salute our Show Chairman Peggy Kelber for her dedication to the show.  The Board will be reviewing all of the 2008 Silver Circuit shows and offering constructive criticism, much of which revolves around the prompt and correct reporting of results.

We have been working hard in making improvements on the publication of your newsletter, the Good Go.  We are striving for more promptness in getting each issue out to the membership.  Your President pointed this out in her comments in the last issue.  We would add one name to the list of necessary helpers and that is Board member Courtney Hayden who keeps everything updated on the Silver Circuit points and the current membership so that each and every member receives a newsletter and members are aware of their High Point standings which are printed in the newsletter and updated on the website after each Silver Circuit show.  She also handles all of the High Point Awards.

In May of 2008 the Association lost long time life member and Saddlebred exhibitor Jean Maguire.  Jean was NWSA President for two years, the recipient of our Perpetual Service Award, and a Hall of Fame inductee.  She will be missed by all.

The "Hall of Fame" committee is again working hard in bringing the number of inductees up to date.  They are asking members to recognize the fact that for a number of years there were none chosen and this includes Saddlebred, Hackney Ponies, Road Horses, owners and trainers who made outstanding contributions to our industry here in the Northwest.  For our 2009 convention the committee is considering inductees from the 1990's.  The Association can be justly proud of the many individuals in all of these categories who are truly great champions and justly need to be recognized.

As reported in the 2008 issues of the Good Go with editorial comments from the editor, Ed Ross