ASAP suffered a real blow this past weekend.
As you know, last year we were represented by local coordinator and
volunteer for Illinois Horse Fair and adopter, Michelle and her family. ASAP was unable to commit to the 550 mile round trip trek, plus motel,
plus diesel, coggins and vet check forms for the trip in 2011. This year we were ecstatic to be sponsored by several businesses and
budgeted enough diesel and motel $$ for the trip. When we arrived, we
made the assumption that the Illinois association that had planned to
sponsor us had already paid for the stall costs. What we did NOT know was that the Illinois association that had spoken
directly with horse fair breed demo coordinator and had planned a joint
demo with ASAP had decided not to come. To add fuel to the fire, the
businesses who had pledged to cover the cost of stalls for ASAP had not
planned to sponsor them since the racing organization had committed to it. Long story short - ASAP arrived and were told in no uncertain terms that
unless the $320 stall fees were paid, we would not demo or participate. I
hung my head very low that day, knowing that the money so desperately
needed to continue to provide for the horses waiting for homes was now
being spent on being represented at the horse fair. We were able to
accept one donation for $100, but that still left $220 that no one offered
to sponsor. Add to this, the $$$ spent in diesel and $156 in motel costs for two days,
plus meals.....(yes I used my own money for much of this)........and it
was about a $600 expense for the weekend. We love our Standardbreds, and love our mission. We were willing to go
the distance, but are saddened that neither the horse council, horse fair
committee, or any racing organizations would extend their hands to sponsor
us. We are, however, very very very grateful for the television coverage we
received, and the story for the USTA. It will all work out somehow!
As you know, last year we were represented by local coordinator and
volunteer for Illinois Horse Fair and adopter, Michelle and her family. ASAP was unable to commit to the 550 mile round trip trek, plus motel,
plus diesel, coggins and vet check forms for the trip in 2011. This year we were ecstatic to be sponsored by several businesses and
budgeted enough diesel and motel $$ for the trip. When we arrived, we
made the assumption that the Illinois association that had planned to
sponsor us had already paid for the stall costs. What we did NOT know was that the Illinois association that had spoken
directly with horse fair breed demo coordinator and had planned a joint
demo with ASAP had decided not to come. To add fuel to the fire, the
businesses who had pledged to cover the cost of stalls for ASAP had not
planned to sponsor them since the racing organization had committed to it. Long story short - ASAP arrived and were told in no uncertain terms that
unless the $320 stall fees were paid, we would not demo or participate. I
hung my head very low that day, knowing that the money so desperately
needed to continue to provide for the horses waiting for homes was now
being spent on being represented at the horse fair. We were able to
accept one donation for $100, but that still left $220 that no one offered
to sponsor. Add to this, the $$$ spent in diesel and $156 in motel costs for two days,
plus meals.....(yes I used my own money for much of this)........and it
was about a $600 expense for the weekend. We love our Standardbreds, and love our mission. We were willing to go
the distance, but are saddened that neither the horse council, horse fair
committee, or any racing organizations would extend their hands to sponsor
us. We are, however, very very very grateful for the television coverage we
received, and the story for the USTA. It will all work out somehow!
