Member Comments

Hi Lyn, thanks for sending the financial info. Just a few thoughts on their duplicate newsletter advertisers;

Their issues seem to be having less and less advertisers...their last issue only had three common advertisers with us.....Gary L and Ritter/WHV (both full page/one in full color) & Kam Donnelly placed a classified. These were the only large ads by the way...there were three b/c size ads that don't advertise with us...they were the three associations...MALA, SWLips, and Iowa. Pretty "slim pickins" I'd say.

Looking back to their last issue of last year, our common advertisers were Tempel & Gayla Edwards, & Gary again....(Full page- 2 in color) The only other ads were the associations again, a full page color from Joe Kasza, Castle Lips full page color, and Benville Equestrian Center, also a full page color. There were no classifieds.

I don't see a BIG loss of income as predicted...in fact, I would bet a few more people would advertise with the larger circulation and not having to choose one association over the other.

I have only one real concern about the proposed Bylaws: certain wording in the USLR Bylaws referring to Board members is omitted. It says:

Members of the Board may not be husband and wife, employer and employee, or business partners.

In the distant past, the USLR experienced problems because there were four Board members who were husband and wife and Lipizzan business associates.

Also, I sincerely doubt that true unification of LANA and USLR can happen unless USLR gives up its ownership (member ownership) of the registry database and probably a myriad of other rights and safeguards. The reason is John Gliege's 15-year insistence that LANA's registry is an irrevocable trust. Also, the operation of LANA is a private business and is run as such.

Probably, the only way would be that the LANA members simply register their horses with USLR and become USLR members and let LANA wither. Maybe, eventually the owners of LANA will join USLR and participate in a democratic, members' rights fashion.

Otherwise, I believe things will continue on as they have for the past 25 years, going through cycles, and, hopefully not, making the same mistakes over and over.

The USLR went through a period where it was run by only a few people who were husband/wife couples and business partners; and who rewrote rules and bylaws at will to suit their particular needs; put their horses on the cover of the newsletter; aired lots of dirty laundry and slander in the newsletter; paid for their trips to Europe; did not allow voting unless a member could afford time off work and the money to be present at annual meetings -- or other meetings which were called on a day's notice and held in someone's hotel room; were not accountable for unauthorized purchases and expenses; until finally the USLR was financially broke and lost almost all of its members because registration papers were not getting out and there was no central office with impartial personnel.

I have always longed for everyone to work together; put their egos aside; be steadfast in terms of ethics and fairness; and understand that there can be disagreements and differences of opinion amongst people but work on the solutions that are best for all Lipizzans and all members. Maybe one day that can happen. Of course, I'm praying for world peace & human rights, too.

Hi Folks,
This sounds like a lot of arguing over a little bit of money. You can make several thousand by throwing one good symposium with a big name instructor, or auctioning off a donated horse or trailer or something. How about some creative fund raising to make everyone more comfortable.
Kathleen Sales

I DO have a comment - can we call the forms "Forms" instead of "permits"? I am currently doing IE on a mare (as is Muffin Smith at the same facility) and since they have to be DNA'd anyway I feel it is just more POLITE to call the IE "Permit" a Form - I don't need "permission" (the "feeling" of being over-controlled) but I have no problem filling out an appropriate form.

Also, with the TS certificate - how about also calling it a form -are you trying to make a STALLION OWNER responsible for the mare breeders practice of having a vet sign off? I think the wording should carefully reflect the MARE OWNERS responsibility if the vet needs to sign off on that end. My responsibility as the stallion owner ends with filling out the TS Form and the Stallion Report Form and sending a quality semen product. Oh, and signing off on the registration form.

Thank you very much for providing this very comprehensive report of the activities. It is a very comprehensive report and gives us a clear picture of where we stand as well as the work still to be done.

I am very much looking forward to a productive and interesting meeting at Tempel.

Thank you very much for sending this report out. It gives a fairly clear picture and shows that the “impossible” is possible. Looking forward to the meeting at Tempel and hope it will be productive and in a positive spirit.

I greatly appreciate all that USLR is doing to keep membership appraised of the progress being made as well as potential stumbling blocks to be negotiated. I'm sure it's more work than most people realize!

Thanks again for clarifying this for me!

Best regards,

I know there are many old animosities and issues. I think we all need to keep in mind that the real issue here is keeping this breed alive and growing. It is one thing to share our wonderful Lipizzans amongst ourselves however our real goal should be to reach others who do not have Lipizzans. We should be advertising to the rest of the world the joys and wonder of this breed. Please share this message with others in the USLR. Let's try to keep our real goal in focus and put the past aside. Thanks and have a great time at the meeting. I will be there in spirit.

Although I am not as active as some other members, I have appreciated all the updates and effort at keeping everyone informed. I also want to thank Tim, the other USLR leaders and Board members and the volunteers for all your hard work in achieving what many said couldn't be done back when I first joined. Hurray! We're almost there!!

I was thinking that if the Lipizzan database is the only important asset that LANA has plus their members, then maybe we should offer to register LANA’s member’s horses with USLR if they join USLR as a welcoming gesture by USLR for 2 years at a biannual rate of $100 plus a copy of the LANA’s registration. I think we should offer all our members a discounted rate of $100 for 2 years or $55 per year but if they pay one time it would be $100 for 2 years then it would save a lot of processing and USLR would have a stable cash flow.

As far as Laura's comment, nepotism would cause a conflict of interest for the membership as a whole and threaten the integrity of the organization. In a family trust this is alright but in a national organization I think we should have to keep it equitable.

Hopefully my son will reply timely, he has spent quite sometime working on wills and trusts and is quite proficient on the matter.

A trust is a document designed to protect the assets placed within the trust and distribute said assets as instructed to the beneficiaries named within the trust. A revocable trust can be revoked or changed by the grantor/settlor (the creator of the trust), so the grantor/settlor maintains control over the assets of the trust. A irrevocable trust can only be changed or revoked under only a few exceptions, and must receive court approval before any changes in an irrevocable trust are made, therefore the grantor/settlor loses control of the trust assets except for the limited rights specified in the trust.

A benefit of an irrevocable trust is because the grantor/settlor no longer possesses control over the assets transferred to the trust; an irrevocable trust is considered a completely separate entity for tax purposes. In other words, any income and capital gains are taxed against the trust, not the grantor/settlor, and thereby being taxed in a lower tax bracket. The taxes for the irrevocable trust are granted the standard income tax deductions, and any distributions the trust makes are also deductible. Irrevocable trusts that qualify as a charitable remainder trust under IRC (Internal Revenue Code) 664 are exempt from taxation. Creation of trusts and their administration are dictated by federal law under IRC 641-691, and state laws that conform to the federal law, usually the Uniform Probate Code or Uniform Probate Act, depending on the state. If a trust holds assets in different states, the state statutes that govern the trust are usually from the state that created the trust. However, the laws of the state that a trust asset is held may still effect said asset. This is particularly true with states that differ in marriage and divorce laws than from the state the trust is created. This generally has little effect irrevocable trusts because the assets are no longer considered the grantor’s property when placed in the trust.

A irrevocable trust can be terminated or changed if the purpose of the trust has been fulfilled, the purpose of the trust is no longer feasible or deemed unlawful, or it is determined that maintaining the trust is no longer feasible. The county courts are required to preside over the termination or alteration of an irrevocable trust. Usually an irrevocable trust terminates by fulfilling the distribution of the trust assets as stated in the trust. A trust to be terminated can be extended if the trustee(s) and beneficiaries agree to have the trust continued. But such an extension is not really amending and changing an irrevocable trust, but is viewed more like transferring the trust assets from one trust to another trust with the same name and similar guidelines.

The trust can be altered or terminated if the purpose of the trust cannot be accomplished (such as the beneficiaries no longer live or exist) or is deemed unlawful (many charitable trusts that were established a long time ago were terminated or altered due to anti-discrimination laws). The trustee may request the courts to grant them the termination of a trust if the trustee finds that maintaining the trust is no longer feasible. Usually this means that the cost to maintain the trust is more than the value of the trust itself. When trying to amend an irrevocable trust, the court will try to discern and preserve the primary intent of the trust.

The trustee is the person responsible for the administration of the trust. The trustee’s exact powers are listed within the trust, but simply put the trustee is responsible for the management, investment, and distribution of the trust assets as dictated by the trust. The trustee is chosen by the grantor/settlor of the trust, and is named in said trust. Co-trustee simply means that more than one person is responsible for the management of the trust. The trust should provide instructions in the case that the co-trustees are not in agreement with the management of the trust. In some cases one of the co-trustees has majority control of the trust, in other cases the majority has control and in case of a tie someone is chosen to arbitrate or cast the deciding vote. A successor trustee is an alternate trustee chosen if the current trustee is no longer able to, or no longer desires to be the administrator of the trust. Like the trustee, the successor trustee was chosen by the grantor/settlor and is named by the trust. The successor trustee receives all the same powers as the former trustee. A trust agent is appointed by the trustee to act on the trustee’s behalf. The trust agent can be given the powers of any or all of the Trustee’s powers, but as the name implies, he only acts as the agent of the trustee, and has no discretionary powers on how to administer the trust. Unlike the trustee, the trust agent is not named by the trust, but is contracted separately by the trustee to act on his/her behalf.

Here I will make a distinction in assets being transferred and assets being reinvested. For the purposes of this memorandum reinvesting assets shall be defined as exchanging asset for another asset of similar value, and the asset remains within the trust (for example, selling stocks to invest in land); and transferring assets shall be defined as transferring of ownership of the asset for little to no return value. The trustee has the power to invest the assets of the trust as a reasonable, prudent investor of similar intellect and experience, with the information provided at the time of the decision, would likely have done. The reason for such specificity regarding the trustee’s discretion to reinvest is because the courts do not like to second guess the trustee’s investment decision, but at the same time, does not want the trustee to gamble with the trust assets. Normally, the trustee has full rights to reinvest the trust assets for the benefit of the trust, so long as there is no showing of conflict of interest (such as investing the trust assets into the trustee’s struggling business).

The trustee may only transfer assets out of the trust as the trust specifies. This is, of course, to prevent the trustee and/or the beneficiaries from taking control of the trust assets and doing as they please with the said assets. The trustee may have some discretion in the transfer of assets to fulfill the intent of the trust if the trust provides such power. Often times such power is for the benefit of the beneficiaries, and the trust is to help maintain said beneficiaries’ current lifestyle (but not change it).

PLEASE NOTE: The answers provided in this memorandum are general answers to what is commonly found in most trusts. This memorandum should be considered a general guide, but should not be used as legal advice or analysis to any specific trust or issue. Such legal advice or issue requires a thorough knowledge of facts and governing laws. No facts were provided for this memorandum. What powers are provided to the trustee, and what can be done with the assets is determined by what is written in the trust and the laws governing the trust. It is possible that the powers a trust provides can differ with, and even contradict the answers given here.

Thank you for the advance information for the annual meetings. I appreciate the opportunity to see the work in progress. It is evident that a lot of hard work has gone into the process. Also apparent are the remaining areas of debate. I hope that the momentum towards unification continues and that specific operational rules and procedures can be worked out by the management team of the LFA. It is not possible to iron out all differences in advance, in my opinion. Continued focus on areas of agreement can yield much progress.

I am forwarding my comments (4 .pdf's attached) in advance of the meetings so that the USLR and LANA have a chance to digest some member feedback. (I don't have ALBA's email.) I also am pleased that LANA surveyed the membership so that all will be better prepared for the upcoming meetings.

I. LFA and the Lipizzan Pedigree Trust
It is proposed that The Lipizzan Pedigree Trust function as a repository for
collective pedigree and DNA knowledge and as a tool to be used by the LFA
Registration Committee in screening LFA registry applicants.
Comment: I agree that backup of records for Continuity of Business
(COB) is required.
III. LFA BREEDERS' COMMITTEE
The LFA Breeders’ Committee shall be made up of 5 members in good
standing of the LFA appointed by the LFA Board of Directors. At least three of
the members of the LFA Breeders” Committee should be active breeders
(breeding and registering three or more purebred Lipizzan foals each year).
Comment: This provision is at odds with the bylaw draft that
mentions 5 purebred foals per year of which 2 have been inspected,
by the way. I prefer not to have any specific number mentioned.
The number of foals per year depends on the economy, the “luck of
the draw” in breeding, especially AI, local disease outbreaks, and
the breeder’s specific circumstances any given year. Sheer number
is not a good measure. This weights the committee toward large
breeders. If such a criterion remains, then it should be balance by
other member(s) at large.
The functions of the LFA Breeders’ Committee will be:
(1) Maintain a Stud Book containing information on evaluated breeding stock and their
progeny.
(2) Establish breeding criteria and recommendations of use to breeders of Lipizzan
horses.
(3) Recommend methods of evaluation and establish evaluation criteria which support
the breeding of Lipizzans which meet the breed standard established by the LFA and
the LIF.
(4) Coordinate LFA breeders’ activities including breeding stock evaluations
and breeders and judges trainings.

Comment: These recommendations are too far-reaching. The
assumption that evaluations are official is made in (1). A Lipizzan
stud book should contain all breeding stock, with approved stock so
designated and categorized by the type and place of evaluation. The
committee should look into several alternate forms of evaluation
including performance, breed shows, quality of offspring, foreign
approvals, etc. develop a star system perhaps. As a free market
advocate I oppose mandatory inspections but support optional
methods and full disclosure to and education of buyers. I think
breeder seminars should be considered.

comments on the Formation Committee's summary.
VI. TRANSFER OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION
In order for a horse to retain its registered status, the LFA requires notice of transfer of registration
whenever a purebred or Half Lipizzan changes hands. A horse must already have been registered
with the LFA before a Certificate of Registration to new owner(s) can be issued.
Comment: Establish a procedure to remedy problems without harming the “innocent” new
owner.
IX. LFA CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AND PEDIGREE POLICY
The Certificate of Registration is the property of the LFA, and may be issued, replaced or revoked by
the Federation if new information concerning the pedigree and/or DNA status becomes available.
Comment: Carefully consider economic impact/liability concerning horses previously
accepted.
II. BREEDING
1. Natural breeding, including pasture breeding, is permitted. Artificial insemination (AI) of fresh,
frozen, or transported semen (TS) is permitted (see further rules, including limitations on
numbers of mares bred by one stallion using TS in a breeding season, in the section entitled
“Transported Semen”).
6. TRANSPORTED SEMEN.
Transported semen (TS) is semen that is shipped off the breeding farm or collection center for
insemination.
A. A limit of thirty (30) Lipizzan mares per Lipizzan stallion may be bred by transported semen each
breeding season. There is no limit for breeding non Lipizzan or Half Lipizzan mares.
Comment Jeff & Kathy:
This 30 mare limit is a limit listed by USLR. LANA does not appear to require a limit.
B. TS PERMIT.
A TS Permit, good for one season only, must be obtained from the LFA Office. The TS Permit must be
completed by the stated owner(s) or lessee(s), or the agent of the stated owner(s) or lessee(s), of the
stallion and the designated copies shipped with the semen.
Comments:
Jeff & Kathy: The wording in Part B is from the USLR requirements. LANA requires that a licensed veterinarian
perform the insemination of a mare by transported semen and verify the recipient mare.
Melinda: With DNA parentage verification is it necessary to have a vet sign off on the collected semen? I think it
was originally (back in the 1980s, before DNA) to help make sure the semen was from the correct stallion.
Comment: I think the limitation on number of AI breedings is arbitrary and capricious. Many
stallions serve hundreds of mare each season. It is not based on health or standard industry
practice. I can see that one wouldn't want a single “stallion du jour” to overwhelm the gene
pool and decrease genetic diversity significantly, but this is very unlikely, and should not be
written in hard numbers. Be flexible so that the regulations needn't be re-written frequently as
the organization grows. Always bear in mind that these rules affect the profitability of
businesses and must be justifiable. The LFA can be sured. Let's not get too “controlling.”
E. Stallion Reports received bearing a postmark after December 31 will be subject to a penalty fee.
It is strongly recommended that the filly name begin with the same letter as the mare name. All mare
names should be complementary to the traditional Lipizzan line names. The LFA reserves the right to
refuse a name it deems inappropriate or unsuitable. A registered mare name can not be issued to
another mare until 30 years have elapsed from the initial registration.
Comments Jeff & Kathy: We have added the sentence "All mare names should be complementary to the
traditional Lipizzan line names.” from the LANA requirements.
Comment Tom: I believe a section should be added where a name cannot be used again for at least 30 years.
Comment: I think the complementary portion should be withdrawn; it is too subjective. The 30
years is excessive .
IX. LFA CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AND PEDIGREE POLICY
It is to be understood that the LFA and the Lipizzan Pedigree Trust, in continuing research
concerning the background and identification of Lipizzan horses, may discover new information
or corrections that affect a horse’s pedigree. In the interests of keeping the pedigrees pure and
accurate, the LFA Board of Directors, with the advice and consent of the LFA Registration
Committee, reserves the right to make the appropriate changes to a horse’s record, even if it
results in a change of status for the horse and its descendants. In the event that the LFA and
the Lipizzan Pedigree Trust do make changes in a registered horse’s pedigree, upon being
informed in writing of said change, the owner of record must forward the horse’s Certificate of
Registration to the LFA Office, whereupon an updated Certificate of Registration will be issued
at no charge. The LFA may rescind a horse’s Certificate of Registration if it finds significant or
salient information on the Registration Application or on the pedigree of the horse, or of the
horse’s parents submitted in conjunction with the Registration Application to be false, whether
or not the person knowingly submitted the false information.
Comment: see IX--Carefully consider economic impact/liability concerning horses previously
accepted.

I have reviewed the proposed bylaws dated 7/17/07 and wish to provide some comments before
the September annual meetings. I see that a lot of hard work has been done, and know that this
draft reflects some very different perspectives on what the LFA should be. In general I think that
too many specifics have been included, items that belong in the BAU operations of an
organization. I understand that this trial balloon highlights each organizations priorities.
Somehow we should find areas of agreement on general policies to be written into the bylaws.
Many of the ares addressed belong in committee rather than bylaws. Trying to do too much here
will actually result in too little being accomplished. My thoughts on the draft follow.
ARTICLE II
Object
The object of the LFA shall be to preserve, protect, and promote the Lipizzan breed of horse by;
- educating the American public regarding the qualities and historical significance of the
Lipizzan horse by providing instructional materials and opportunities to become more
familiar with the qualities of the Lipizzan horse;
- encouraging breeders and owners to develop the highest quality Lipizzan horse according to
classical breed standards;
- assisting breeders and owners of Lipizzans in making educated decisions regarding the
improvement and protection of the breed;
– keeping accurate records as necessary to accomplish the above goals which may include
but not be limited to breed evaluations, production and competition records;
–
Comment: Specifics should not be mentioned in Bylaws. Tactics belong to day-to-day
operations, not bylaws. In particular, breed evaluations should not be mentioned specifically
without the word “optional.” I do not want mandatory inspections to be slipped into bylaws or
rules without thorough discussion, financial planning, and vote.
This newly formed LFA pedigree database will be owned by the membership. LANA, USLR
and ALBA will retain rights to the original information sent to merge into the LFA
database, but once merged the information becomes property of the LFA membership.
Aand all new information entered into the database will become the property of LFA
members.
Comment: I am neutral on this concept. I can see the value in an independent trust as an
organization may be subject to split-offs and mergers in the future. As long as the LFA is a
lifetime beneficiary of the trust, or similar concept, I would not be too concerned about the exact
structure.
Section 1 B. Family Membership
Immediate members of the same family 18 years of age or older who are owners of record of a
Lipizzan/Lipizzan crossbred registered/recorded with the Lipizzan Pedigree Trust or with the
former U.S. Lipizzan Registry, who pay the prescribed dues, are entitled to one vote per person,
not to exceed two votes per family unit.
Comment: Why the age restriction?
Section 1 D. Charter Farm Membership
A member shall qualify as a Charter Member if horses from the farm were approved in the l994
and 1995 inspection tours or the member was admitted to membership of the former American
Lipizzan Breeders Association on or before January 1, 1997. Each farm will be allocated one vote
per owner of record, not to exceed two votes per farm.
Comment: I disagree with this section entirely. The 1994-95 date is arbitrary, as is 1997.
Inspections are not official and should not enter into bylaws at all. Inspections are too
infrequent and too far away for most owners to participate. No section should provide an
economic or political advantage to certain parties to the disadvantage of newer members
or those unable to attend an evaluation. It attempts to establish evaluations as at least
pseudo-official when they are not actually sanctioned by a registry. Any charter
provisions should date from the unification if they exist at all.
Section 1 E. Regular Farm Membership
A member shall qualify as a regular farm member if the member joined the former American
Lipizzan Breeders Association after January 1, 1997 and if the farm has produced a minimum of
five purebred Lipizzan foals; at least two of 2 w hich have passed an official inspection. Each farm will
be allocated one vote per owner of record, not to exceed two votes per farm. Members may request change
in membership status from individual or family membership to regular farm membership by contacting the
membership committee in writing. Permitted change in status will become effective on payment of the next
regular dues.
Comment: Again, this slips evaluations into pseudo-official recognition. There are no
official inspections! I totally disagree. Furthermore, the number of purebred foals is
arbitrary as is the number of inspected foals. No section of bylaws should discriminate
against members for length of membership time, size of herd, number of foals produced,
or number inspected. Not all members have equal access to inspections. Number of foals
produced and number of Lipizzans owned has nothing to do with quality. “Farm” is a
business and IRS definition and should not be defined further in the bylaws. These
specifics are inappropriate to bylaws. This is not the way to grow an organization.
Section 7. Nonliability of Members
A member or officer of the LFA is not, as such, personally liable for the debts, liabilities or
obligations of the LFA or actions of any other member or officer.
Comment: The statement is useless without liability insurance for the officers and
directors.
Section 1. Officers and Duties
The officers of the LFA shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and four
Directors. These eight persons shall be referred to as the Board of Directors. The members of the
Board shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority
adopted by the LFA. The Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the LFA between
its business meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the LFA,
and perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws. The Board shall be subject to the
orders of the LFA, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the LFA. Members of the
Board may not be husband and wife, employer and employee, or business partners with any other
Board member or with any officer of the Lipizzan Pedigree Trust. Board members shall serve
without compensation.
Comment: Directors and members should have expenses reimbursed with prior approval.
Section 1 C. Duties of the Treasurer
The duties of the Treasurer are to oversee the LFA’s office duties, to maintain a list of current,
paid members, to issue receipts for all moneys received, to make deposits, to account for all
funds, securities, inventory and assets of the LFA, to disperse the funds of the LFA as authorized
by budget or Board of Directors, to provide position reports to the Board of Directors as needed to
make financial decisions; to prepare annual financial statements, and have said financial
statements certified when deemed necessary by the Treasurer, Board of Directors, or Finance
Committee, unless otherwise provided for by executive or Board action.
Comment: A provision for audits should be made. Backup records should be maintained
for Continuity of Business.
Section 1 D. Duties of the Secretary
The duties of the Secretary are to maintain a minute book which contains certified copies from the
Board of Directors and membership meetings, the articles of incorporation, the bylaws as
amended by the membership, and any rules and regulations as amended; and to be custodian of
all official records and the corporate seal. The secretary shall see that all meeting notices are duly
given as provided by these bylaws and act as corresponding secretary to the LFA unless
otherwise provided for by executive or Board action.
Comment: Backup files should be maintained for Continuity of Business.
Section 2. Nominating Procedure, Time of Elections
The Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating Committee which will prepare a slate of officers
and directors for the membership to vote on prior to the annual meeting. Nominations shall be
prepared from a list of voting members who have participated in LFA operations as a volunteer,
by appointment, by election, by attendance at an annual meeting in the past three years, on a
committee, and who have been members in good standing for at least two years.
Comment: The “and” should read “or.” Otherwise it serves to preserve the status quo
and prevent any change in “management.”
Section 7. Removal from Office
Any elected office may be declared vacant if the occupant has been declared unsound of mind by
a final court order, been convicted of a felony, been convicted of any cruelty to animals (all
species and breeds, not just Lipizzans), or found to have breached a fiduciary duty to the LFA. If a
Board member fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings or four (4) meetings during their
term, they are automatically removed from the Board, unless the absences are excused by a
majority vote of the Board. The membership may remove any elected official, with reasonable
cause, by a majority vote of 40% or more of the members in good standing at any type of
membership meeting. Vacancies created by removal of an elected officer by the membership
must be filled at a membership meeting.
Comment: While it is difficult to disagree with this phrase on the surface, given the
variations of local law and custom, I would establish a hearing body for due process within
LFA.
ARTICLE V
Subordinate Offices
Subordinate offices of the Registry shall be a Registrar, a Journal Editor (Coordinator), and
International Representatives. Subordinate offices shall be appointed by the President with
approval of the Board of Directors. A subordinate office may resign effective upon giving notice to
the Board of Directors, President, or Secretary unless the notice specifies a later time for the
effectiveness of such resignation. No approval is necessary. Any appointee may be removed from
office, without cause, by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Comment: Subordinate offices are to be determined by the Board. Don't name them
specifically.
Section 2. Duties of the Journal Editor (Coordinator)
The duties of the Journal Editor are to produce a quarterly newsletter/magazine about the
Lipizzan breed as it relates to or interests the LFA's membership.
Comment: This is too specific to be in the bylaws. It is an operating rule.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings
There shall be an annual meeting of the membership of the LFA within 60 days of the close of the
fiscal year. The Board of Directors will meet at least quarterly, either by mail, email, telephone, or
in person. Standing and other committees shall meet as deemed necessary by whatever method
is most expedient. Other membership meetings may be called as needed or petitioned.
Section 1. Membership Meetings
Membership meetings may be called at the discretion of the Board of Directors or upon petition of
10% of the membership, giving forty-five (45) days notice of date, place, time, and agenda.
Section 2. Annual Membership Meeting
The annual meeting shall be held within 60 days of the close of the fiscal year and shall be for the
purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other
business that may arise.
Section 3. Special Membership Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the President or the Board of Directors and shall be called
upon the written request of ten members in good standing. The purpose of the meeting shall be
stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, three days notice shall be given.
Section 4. Regular Board Meetings
Unless otherwise ordered by the Board, the regular meetings of the Board shall be every third
Wednesday of the month.
Section 5. Special Board Meetings
The President shall call a meeting of the board upon request of three directors, within the time
frame requested, for any specific purpose Meeting notice is waived for any meeting conducted by
written ballot, provided a simple majority of those eligible respond within the designated time
frame. The Board may call an emergency board meeting without 10 days notice by giving
telephone, fax, or email notice to all Board members in a time frame that is reasonable.
Comment: Annual meeting needn't be mentioned twice. Provision for web-based and
teleconference meetings should be made. The special meeting provision, called by 10
members, is scary. There should be a limit on what such a meeting could do. Three days
is insufficient notice. What is “reasonable” for a special board meeting? Define it or say it
will be established by the Board. Membership roles must be public or Section 3 is
inoperable.
ARTICLE VII
Standing Committees
Section 1. Finance Committee
The Finance Committee shall be appointed by the President promptly after each annual meeting.
It shall be the duty of this committee to prepare a budget for the fiscal year beginning the first day
of November, and to submit it to the Board at its December meeting. The Finance Committee may
from time to time submit amendments to the budget for the current fiscal year, which may be
adopted by a majority vote of a quorum of the Board. The Finance Committee shall also make
recommendations to the Board of Directors on investments and conduct solicitations for gifts and
donations to promote the Lipizzan and the LFA.
Comment: This is too specific. The committee shall prepare budgets, review the financial
accounts, and make recommendations on financial matters to the Board. This would
include the above as well as pricing and possibly “audits.”
Section 2. Registration Review Committee
The Registration Review Committee shall receive all complaints and questions regarding the
registration of horses or their pedigrees. This committee shall research each individual problem
and recommend a course of action to the Board of Directors. This committee shall document and
differentiate between all cases of honest mistake or possible fraud.
Comment: Need an open process with member rights to a hearing. There is liability here.
Section 3. Lipizzan Evaluation Committee
The Lipizzan Evaluation Committee shall assist breeders of Lipizzans to make educated decisions
for the improvement and protection of the breed; to improve the quality of Lipizzan breeding stock
within the breed standard; to keep accurate records as necessary to accomplish the above goals
which may include but not be limited to breed evaluations, production and competition records.
The Committee shall issue and maintain accurate historical records of the breed including the
Stud Book and any other records deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. The Stud Book
shall at minimum contain the following records: history of the breed, pedigrees, mare production
records, stallion production records, evaluation results, and national awards in competitions.
Comments: This should not be a standing committee, at least not under this title. There
are no existing official registry evaluations and therefore they cannot be written into the
bylaws. This attempts to establish official evaluations, which is a subject of much debate.
This could be a major stumbling block to member approval of bylaws.
I am in favor of evaluations but not mandated ones, and not necessarily of the format
currently used. The economic consequences of such a move are enormous to breeders
across North America. This is a barrier to entry and anti-competitive. Inspections are
common to “Type” registries such as European warmbloods but are not common to “Pure
Breeds.” Examples are AQHA, Arabian, Cleveland Bay, Morgan. There is no reason to
mandate inspections and a Stud Book qualification.
Unofficial optional evaluations are something I heartily endorse. I have participated in a
Mid-Atlantic one. But only one has been held near me since 1997 when I joined. Making it
mandatory is not realistic. I do not like to travel far with mares in foal, so often I would not
be able to attend. Plus no discussion at the evaluation I attended told me what I wanted to
know—what to look for in a stallion to complement my mares. So I cannot endorse official
evaluations at this time.
I think we should develop educational opportunities which may include evaluations,
seminars and breed classes. I do not think anything specific belongs in the bylaws,
however. The general goal of preserving and improving the breed should cover the topic.
Methods are TBD.
Special note: Mandating evaluations increases the organization's liability
significantly! Do consider this impact and the requisite insurance to
mitigate risk.
ARTICLE XI
Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the LFA, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for
paying all its liabilities, dispose of all its assets to such organization(s) organized exclusively for
charitable and educational purposes, and shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or an
organization under Section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Comment: Do assets include Pedigree book, Stud Book, Show, Awards, Membership
Roles, Ownership records?
Section 3. Professional Office Management
The LFA shall use a professional office manager for such duties as handling correspondence,
answering phone and email questions, disbursing educational materials in response to public
queries, and maintaining the accounting books, membership records, and other records so that
the LFA operates in an orderly and impartial manner.
Comment: While I agree, I do not think this belongs in bylaws.

Keuring expenses to Consider for Mandatory Evaluations
pick and up deliver inspectors from the airport
provide their hotel room
inspectors travel expenses
inspection facility
stalls
farrier
sound system and announcer
food for breakfast and lunch for the exhibitors and spectators
drinks provided during the day
professional photographer
handler
ring decorations
printer costs for the program
shavings
inspection entry forms
envelopes for exhibitor packets
gas for ferrying the inspectors around
bridle numbers
ID ribbons for exhibitors, volunteers, judges, hosts, hostess, farrier, handler, vet, announcer,
braider, photographer, guests
folders
big envelopes
labels for folders, envelopes
stall cards
2 or more large stall charts for each stable
box of apples or treats
braider
decorations for the ring triangle
vet on call for emergencies
"welcome packets"
"gift" to each exhibitor
rental of the chairs.
insurance for the event especially at a private barn
stall cleaning
manure removal
release form
LABOR