Page 52 - Speedhorse February 2020

AQHA RACING UPDATE
Know that the protection of our horses and of our industry is a paramount objective that is entwined in the Association’s Mission Statement to preserve the breed.
BALANCING ACT
In the last issue, I shared that the spotlight on our industry regarding animal welfare is causing a paradigm shift in all areas, including the regulations that govern racing. In my role
as your Chief Racing Officer of the American Quarter Horse Association, I face the tough role of helping implement improved protocol
to protect our equine athletes and their riders (and thereby protect the future of our industry), while also defending the horseman’s right to properly use therapeutic medications to address the needs of horses entrusted in their care. It’s a tough balancing act, and the scales don’t always tip in the direction I want them to.
In December, I attended the Association
of Racing Commissioners International’s Model Rules Committee meeting. An agenda item that concerned me was the rule proposal calling for a 14-day stand down on all intra- articular joint injections. The intent of the rule is to bring a less medicated horse before the regulatory veterinarian that does pre-race inspections, and therefore allow a better as- sessment of soundness before a race. However, much of Quarter Horse racing calls for races only two weeks apart, and with this regulation, our horsemen will be denied the opportunity of therapeutic work to help the athletes. I addressed the ARCI Model Rules Committee and tried my best to represent the interest of not just our horsemen, but more importantly, our horses. Unfortunately, my efforts were to no avail. In a well-intended effort to protect the horse, what was previously an appropriate practice is now prohibited in the model rules and will probably be enforced in many of your racing jurisdictions.
Let’s look a little closer at the issue. Why wasn’t I successful in my effort? The answer is simple. I didn’t have science on my side. Until we can argue that we have a lower percentage
of catastrophic loss than our Thoroughbred counterparts, all our business practices are going to be in question. The data sheds poor light on our breed. Do I think cortisone is the problem? NO! Without a doubt there are other performance enhancing mechanisms out there that we need to get ahead of. Are we working on it? EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Intelligence ascertained by the Integrity Teams, financial support of research and testing, and promoting increased use of hair testing to serve as a deter- rent from those seeking an unfair advantage are among the different ways that our Association is seeking to protect racing Quarter Horses. Know that the protection of our horses and of our industry is a paramount objective that is entwined in the Association’s Mission State- ment to preserve the breed.
AQHA RACING CHAMPIONS CEREMONY
As I pen this article, the Racing Depart- ment team is busy preparing for the naming
of AQHA Racing Champions and Special Achievement Awards held at Heritage Place on Jan. 15. While I can’t write about the indi- vidual recipients at this time, by the time this magazine reaches your mailbox, you will most likely already be aware of who took home the hardware. I can tell you that I look forward to interviewing the connections. Many who will grace the stage have been in the industry for decades and have never enjoyed the opportu- nity to relish such an experience. Although it’s now been several years, I enjoyed the privilege of crossing the stage as an owner and/or trainer of a handful of AQHA Champions, and as
a Millie Vessels Special Achievement Award recipient. Consequently, I have an innate understanding of what a blessing it is to receive such prestigious recognition. The memories
surrounding those achievements are among my favorites. I am proud to have a small role in creating such memories for the 2019 Cham- pions. I hope that you were on hand for the ceremony, and if you missed it, a YouTube link will be available at aqha.com/racing once edit- ing is complete.
Now we are in a new year, and I hope many of the struggles of 2019 are behind us. In 2020, I pray the catastrophic loss of racehorses (of any breed) does not mirror the experience of last year. I pray that a year from now we are not fac- ing federal legislation for the governance for rac- ing. I pray we continue to create improvements in our technology struggles at the Association so that we can better meet the needs of our mem- bers. I pray that everyone expecting foals have healthy babies hit the ground. I pray that each of you enjoys a good day at the races, and even an opportunity to smile in the winner’s circle.
Happy New Year, my friends.
February 2020
by Janet VanBebber, AQHA Chief Racing Officer
50 SPEEDHORSE, February 2020