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investigated; They are being held responsible. Why does it matter that no one is being person- ally accountable? Because lack of account- ability is an insidious trait that can keep us from developing and implementing effective solutions to the problem of illegal drugs. A quick Google search for “lack of accountabil- ity” shows the destruction it can leave behind. Lack of accountability has been mentioned as
a factor in JP Morgan’s financial losses, John Edwards’ failed political campaign, XL Foods’ E. coli outbreak, the Dallas Cowboys’ poor performance on the field, rights abuses in Libya and wage theft in Philadelphia charter schools. Lack of accountability does not fix problems, it destroys things.
So how can we keep it from destroying the Quarter Horse racing industry? Simple. By being accountable for our actions. Having said that,
do I think every trainer with a positive drug
test will stand up and scream, “I DID IT!” Of course not. Not everyone who faces a judge in
a court of law pleads guilty. There are plenty of “not guilty” pleas entered in courtrooms around the country every day, and those cases continue through the justice system just as they do in the horse racing industry—with hearings, trials and appeals. Those that do plead guilty serve their time, sometimes with reduced sentences, such as
those the Louisiana Horse Racing Commission handed out to the trainers who cooperated with their investigation.
No, I am talking about personal account- ability on a larger scope—trainers, owners, grooms, officials, jockeys, publishers, breeders and veterinarians. Everyone. After distinguish- ing between responsibility and accountability, The Oz Principle gives four simple steps to accountability: see it, own it, solve it, do it.
See it. Acknowledge reality and see things as they really are. Most of us have no problem with this step—we readily admit there is a seri- ous problem with illegal drug use in Quarter Horse racing right now.
Own It. Make the tie between where we are, what we have done and where we want to be, with what we are going to do. Each of us plays a unique role in industry, and we each need to accept the role we have played in creat- ing not only our own circumstances, but the circumstances of our industry.
Solve It. Tackle the real problems and find solutions. We must diligently and continu-
ally ask ourselves, “What can I do?” to avoid slipping back into the victim role where we lack accountability. The problems of our industry did not just happen—if you are involved in Quarter Horse racing, you have played a role in
getting us to where we are now, good or bad. Do It. Follow through with the plan, imple-
ment the strategies and execute the ideas. Accept full responsibility to achieve results and do it.
The Oz Principle says one of the most valu- able benefits of full accountability is overcom- ing the obstacles and achieving the results you want. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for? A way to overcome the problem of illegal drugs and clean up our industry and our image.
As a journalist, I have always tried to accept responsibility and accountability for mistakes when they happen. Even if the error originated somewhere else—on an Equibase chart or in the Daily Racing Form past performances—I don’t place blame, but instead take responsibil- ity that I printed incorrect information, and take personal accountability that I should have had better proofreading and fact checking methods to spot those errors before they were printed. Rest assured when mistakes do hap- pen, procedures usually get changed to prevent the same mistake from happening again.
It’s time for the Quarter Horse racing industry to do the same. We all need to step up and take personal accountability, so when the page turns in the history book of Quarter Horse racing, we can say we took responsibility for the mistake, and used accountability to fix it.
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SPEEDHORSE, November 2, 2012 17
UNDER WRAPS