Page 92 - NM Spring 2019

2019
NMHBA ANNUAL MEETING
News and notes from the New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association annual meeting, held in Albuquerque on January 24
Story and photos by Michael Cusortelli
The New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association held its annual meeting at the Marriott Uptown Hotel in Albuquerque on January 24.
NMHBA president Ralph Vincent of Albuquerque began his opening address by introducing all of the association’s 2018 board of trustees, as well as its
two new administrative staff members: registrar Ernestine Aragon and office assistant Paulette Taylor.
“This has been a great, hard-working board, and the board members have all put in a lot of time to make this organization better,” Mr. Vincent said. “Our number one goal is to support our members and keep this program running.
“I hope you all recognize ours is one of the leading breed associations in the country, and ours is one of the few which represents both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses,” he added.
Mr. Vincent then recapped 2018 as it related to NMHBA business, including the successful New Mexico-Bred Sale held at the Ruidoso Horse Sale Pavilion in August. The 2018 average price-per-head of $15,266 marked a 50-percent increase over the previous year’s average of $10,211.
“The sale was up considerably, and we certainly want to keep that going,” he said.
Mr. Vincent reported that, at the start of 2018, the NMHBA board of trustees established several goals, one of which
was providing enhanced support for NMHBA members. This objective included establishing better lines of communications through enhanced website content management, an increased social media presence, a coordinated Summer town hall-style meeting and Zia Festival party
in Ruidoso Downs, legislative outreach, and the development of “breeding tips” for distribution to members.
“We learned a lot regarding breeding tips,” Mr. Vincent said. “When we asked why we weren’t producing more New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred foals, one
of the things we discovered is that our conception rates were low.”
Another goal was to establish productive working relationships with other industry partners in New Mexico, including the New Mexico Racing Commission, New Mexico Horsemen’s Association, and the state’s
five racetracks. This objective included active membership on NMRC committees, discussions with tracks to allow for three weeks between trials and finals, and working with the Racetrack Industry Group to plan for sports wagering and advance deposit wagering (ADW) legislation.
“I think we’ve done a good job
of creating relationships with track managements, the racing commission and horsemen,” Mr. Vincent said. “And, we are currently working with the Racetrack Industry Group to look into
sports wagering and ADW legislation, and how it can help the racing industry.”
Other goals included modernizing the NMHBA office in Albuquerque and ensuring that available monies are distributed for the greatest benefit to members and New Mexico’s racing industry at large.
“We distributed more than $11.2 million last year, and the decision on how to distribute that money isn’t made in
a vacuum,” Mr. Vincent said. “A lot of work goes into ensuring that the money is distributed for the greatest benefit.”
Also during his opening remarks, Mr. Vincent acknowledged outgoing trustees Jill B. Giles of Vado and Jay L. Taylor of Albuquerque for their service to the association.
90 New Mexico Horse Breeder
NMHBA President Ralph Vincent