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was a migration of 1.5 billion records that had to be transitioned. There’s plenty of opportunities for issues to occur. But now
we have a very stable system, but there are some things we need to do to continue to make it better. We want to make it better for our international membership, our domestic membership, and we want it to be the kind of system that you deal with every day in your professional or personal life.”
Wise compared the vision for AQHA capabilities to be as easy to use as multinational technology, e-commerce giant Amazon.
“If you can order something off of Amazon, that’s the kind of mobile platform we’re talking about,” he said. “To be able to do that, we had to have a new system, and we’re getting there. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting there. In regards to customer service, it is much better in terms of call waiting times. Last week, we
were at one-minute average per call. When you’re integrating a new computer system with a new phone system and a new website, there’s plenty of opportunities for things to not work immediately. We appreciate everyone’s patience during the process and going forward.”
As a membership- and registration- driven organization, customer service is a top priority.
“It is our intent to serve our members
in a fashion that they deserve to be served,” Wise proclaimed. “I’d like to thank all of our members for their patience and want them to know that going forward, it will continue to be improved and get better.”
One highlight Wise pointed out of the new system is the ability to use DocuSign for official business.
“We’ve made some really interesting improvements in the past year,” Wise said. “One example is using DocuSign. We can
contact you via email now and solve a problem digitally by just having you respond to a DocuSign e-mail. When you open it up, you sign it, send it back and the problem is solved. There’s no need for a letter. There’s no need for postage. It’s almost instantaneous. That’s a huge efficiency.”
DNA kits being sent out automatically by e-mails when registration applications are submitted is another improvement to the system.
“That’s a huge plus,” Wise said. “We’re committed to making and providing AQHA members with the best and most computer- efficient interaction that’s possible. We’re not there today, but we’re going to get there.”
The number one priority of AQHA continues to be the horse, and Wise didn’t mince words when emphasizing equine welfare.
“There is no place in this business for cheaters,” Wise stated plainly. “If you’re
a cheater, we’re going to detect you, and when we find you, if you come before this Executive Committee, you will be dealt with accordingly. If you can’t train a horse to do what you want that horse to do, don’t resort to the needle or the knife, because you will be caught – not only at the racetrack but in the show pen. We want our members to know our mission is to continue to try to weed
out those people who will use performance enhancing drugs to cheat you out of your championship or your check. We’re going to do everything we can to try to get them out of our business.
“We will continue to make sure that animal welfare is one of our highest priorities at AQHA, and we will continue to expand the awareness of the American public that abuse will not be tolerated by AQHA or any of its members,” Wise stated.
Wise ended with a promise and words of wisdom.
“We’re going to continue to do the best we can given the tools that we have,” he said. “These are interesting times, but as I said, ‘This, too, shall pass.’”
“I think understanding is paramount and for all of us to continue to grasp the difficulties that all face on a daily basis and remember that a good dab of patience will go a long way – not only to help your fellow AQHA members, but to help your fellow man, which is very important right now.”
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