Page 31 - August 2017

AQHA Executive Committee Member Butch Wise, AQHA Chief International Officer Dr. Anna Morrison, ABQM (Brazilian Association of Quarter Horse Breeders) President Fabio Pintado Costa, Jockey Club de Sorocaba President Erico Braga, AQHA First Vice President Dr. Jim Heird & AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber
with the trophy AQHA presented to the Jockey Club de Sorocaba for their, “implementation of a drug testing policy that supports the integrity of the sport and the health and welfare of the American Quarter Horse.”
ABQM President Fabio Pintado Costa, AQHA First Vice President Dr. Jim Heird, Jockey Club de Sorocaba President Erico Braga & AQHA Executive Committee Member Butch Wise with the memorial plaque AQHA presented to the ABQM and the Jockey Club de Sorocaba “recognizing the founding members of the Jockey Club de Sorocaba and the global impact their vision has contributed to expansion of Quarter Horse racing internationally,” and commending them for their “creation of a thriving industry in Brasil that continues to benefit the American Quarter Horse throughout the world.”
Board member Marcos Sá, General Superinten- dent Daniel Costardi, Technical Superintendent Ana Paula Prandini, and Douglas Silva, the head of IT, as well as founder Mauro Zaborowsky.
“Several topics were discussed. Among them, the possibility of increasing the number of ABQM horses registered through AQHA, thereby producing pedigree information
that is more complete and reflects global produce records,” VanBebber related. “We discussed AQHA holding clinics in Brazil to share knowledge in specific areas. We even discussed incentives for members in awards and recognition. Our team gleaned information
on how to offer better member benefits, and support both race and show programs.
“Most importantly, while in Brazil our delegation strengthened our relationship with ABQM. They were gracious hosts, and we look forward to working with them in our endeavors to reach the goals discussed.”
While the racing delegates made their way back to the U.S., Dr. Anna Morrison remained in Brazil to focus on the show horse industry.
“I stayed and went on to the ABQM Nationals in Avaré where we did a comparable presentation to what we did at Sorocaba at the racetrack and touched base with the key leaders there. We presented a special recognition award in honor of the 40th anniversary of their National show, which is impressive in both the number
of entries and the quality of the horses and horsemen,” Morrison said. “The bookends of the trip – the time at Sorocaba and the time in Avaré
– were opportunities to connect with members involved in racing and competition, while the middle of the trip gave us a chance to meet at the ABQM office and discuss how we can better serve and support our Brazilian members.”
Dr. Jim Heird, who made his first trip to Brazil in 1989 to present a judging seminar, explained that the Brazilian show horse industry, like the racing industry, is thriving.
“They had over 5,000 entries at their National show,” Heird said. “You see the same bloodlines, the same horses and the same skills at the top end of those classes that you would see at any show here. They have won classes at our World Show with their horses; they’ve had honor roll horses. They are making a strong effort, just like they
are in racing, to have the very best horses in the world, just like we do here in the U.S.”
Heird reiterated the mission of all the AQHA representatives on the trip was a simple one: to build a better partnership. To that end, representatives went with open ears, ready and willing to listen to what the AQBM wants and needs from AQHA, and how AQHA can serve them – and their horses – as members.
“I have to commend Anna Morrison on such an excellent job planning our itinerary and trip,” said John Bachelor. “It was great to see how hard AQHA is working for the industry and for the horsemen. AQHA is reaching
out and doing a good job of promoting our American Quarter Horse, keeping that alliance strong and building it. They went there with a mission and accomplished it.”
Butch Wise, Erico Braga & Marcos Sa with the trophy and plaque.