Adams Talks
Growth Theory and the Arabian Horse
Growth Theory as an economic concept is relatively new. Authored in the early 1980's it made its introduction with the far-reaching changes of the booming computer/electronic era.
Relative to the Arabian horse, Growth Theory is an approach to economics that seeks to explain (and ideally, hopes to predict) the rate at which a business, will grow over time. It expresses and emphasizes the concept that an approach designed with knowledge and innovation CAN have a clear impact on the long term growth rate of the Arabian horse economy.
Negative Optimism and the Arabian Horse Breeder
Optimism is one of the most necessary character qualities of any successful business. It carries, deeply, into the Arabian Horse "business", with its bounding passions and roller coaster emotions. Our relationship to the Arabian Horse is much more emotionally stimulated than that of our other business ventures. To have a belief in potential success, even if others might see more clearly the pitfalls to our mission, brings forth the human nature relationship of the business/hobby conflict. Most Arabian Horse "businesses" are tolerated on a more hobby basis than any of our other business ventures. But this just proves the premise that only a small portion of those attempting a specific endeavor can reach a maximum success, and most are resigned to a substandard result. Often, not clearly understood, but tolerated. What is better, to be an over-achiever or to be a maximum achiever? Optimism plays a big part of the demeanor and style of maximum achievement.
Part Two: What does the future of the Arabian Horse Association hold?
The AHA's future is directly tied to the economics and prestige of the U.S. National Championship Show. While our U.S. Nationals, arguably, does have the distinction of being the number one Arabian Horse Show in our national equine community... it must regain its stature as, clearly, the number one Breeding in Hand Show/Halter Show... in the World's eye. While it could survive as the premier venue for the Performance disciplines; that, in itself, is part of the problem.
Part One: A Domain of Discourse
Currently, the Arabian Horse Community is existing in a domain of discourse. We are in a demographic designed environment of various distinct entities with clearly varying discipline interests; segments or subgroups of the overall Arabian Horse population. Pragmatically... segmentation can be a positive to produce expansion, offering a broader platform of involvement... but, it also can present disruptions that interfere with desired prosperity. Unfortunately... in our current North American Arabian Horse community, the interferences of the unvested influences have been major disruptions to the growth of the economics of the Arabian Horse. Significantly... political influences have become the greatest deterrent to growth & prosperity.
Dick Adams has been a very successful Breeder, Promoter, Marketer & Judge within the Arabian Horse Breed's international community for thirty-five years. He was the managing Partner of the very successful Fame VF "sire-line" entity that for over two decades was a power-house force, dominating both the premier Breeding in Hand (Halter) and Performance (Western Pleasure & Hunter Pleasure) disciplines of the mid 1980s, through the 1990s & well into the 2000s.
"My purpose with the Adams Papers is to create a very insightful, stimulating & thoughtfully useful logic! I have been a very serious student of Tae Kwon Do (the Martial Art) and Kendo (the techniques of the Japanese Katana/longsword). One of the premier instructions/foundations of the Martial Arts is for the student to "understand the principle before he/she develops a technique". If you understand the "principle", the technique will then be adaptable. This concept carries over strongly to the Arabian Horse involvements. Most miscalculations are the result of a failure to thoroughly understand the important processes of the basics." - Dick Adams