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NEWS BRIEFS
Heritage Place Adds Online Bidding Option
Heritage Place on April 22 announced that online bidding will be an available option for bidding on horses beginning with the 2020 Quarter Horse Yearling Sale set for Sept. 25-26. Pre-approved buyers will be able to participate by bidding and buying at their convenience and location. The Heritage Place press release stated, “It is imperative that we do everything possible to bring buyers and sellers together to facilitate a market for our industry, and this is another tool that will assist with doing that.”
LQHBA Announces Election Results
The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association determined the election of new board members and officers by mail bal-
lots. The new officers are: Ryan Robicheaux, President; Kirt Chaisson, first vice president; Leigh Perry, second vice president; Dr. Larry Findley, secretary/treasurer. The newly elected board members are: Jerome Ballard, south central district; Karen Darling Falgoust, cen- tral district; Bobbi Randle, southwest district; Riley Blanchet, southeast district. Joining the officers and board members are incumbent board members: Dr. Natalie Montgomery, cen- tral district; Dr. Michael Hayes, north district; Kenny Patton, south central district; Dutcher Jumonville, southeast district; Jimmie Hatcher, southeast district.
Turf Paradise Owner Donates $1 Million
The owner of Turf Paradise Race Course, Jerry Simms, donated $1 million to the Arizona Coronavirus Relief Fund, which pro- vides financial support for organizations work- ing to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. This includes the funding of personal protec- tive equipment (PPE), supporting non-profit organizations that assist Arizonans through food banks, homeless shelters and domes-
tic violence facilities, among other services. Recently, Turf Paradise also donated $25,000 in food to the Saint Mary’s Food Bank.
Wyoming Gaming To Distribute Revenue Early
During their April 24 meeting, the Wyoming Gaming Commission decided to distribute Historic Horse Racing tax revenues received from Jan. 1 – March 19, which topped $1.8 million. Payments are usually made every six months, but the commission opted to help state and local communities
by distributing revenue funds early due to COVID-19. Since its inception in 2013, revenue from Historic Horse Racing has accounted for over $44 million, including $9.6 million for Wyoming Breeder Awards, $11 million for the State of Wyoming, and $24 million for state Municipalities.
Ontario Horsemen Can Access Unused Purse Funds During Racing Suspension
Ontario Racing notified industry partici- pants that horsepeople have the opportunity to access certain purse funds under the Funding Agreement with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) as a result of the suspen- sion of live racing due to COVID-19. Eligibility requirements for applicants include: Horses must be trained and raced by an Ontario-based trainer with a valid AGCO license; Certification that the horse is resident in Ontario, or has completed a Stall Application for the 2020 race season, or
is verified to be coming to Ontario for the 2020 race season; The horse’s first start following the resumption of racing in Ontario must be at an Ontario track, unless otherwise approved by Ontario Racing; Horses must be at least three years old, and either have not yet raced or have raced since Jan. 1, 2019. Applications will be available on the Ontario Racing website or by emailing syoung@ontarioracing.com.
Turf Paradise Horsemen Pull Together to Feed Horses
Turf Paradise halted live racing on March 10 and the prolonged period of no income has taken its toll on small training operations. To help mitigate the problem, Cynthia George and Teri Ferguson organized “Turf Paradise Race Horse Feed Angels.” They are taking donations through GoFundMe or directly through the two feed stores that supply the backstretch.
In roughly two weeks, they distributed 130 bales of alfalfa and 100 88 pound bags of oats. Donations can be made through GoFundMe or by calling Discount Feed 602-919-2373 or Anderson’s Feed and Tack 602-993-8770.
First Class At UArizona College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine accepted its first class for the fall of 2020 semester, which will include
a group of 110 students from 518 applicants. The college received approval from the American Veterinary Medical Association in October and will be the first public veterinary medical program in Arizona. Students in the 3-year program will experience real-world learning at clinics that care for companion animals and large animals.
AHC Reschedules National Issues Forum
The American Horse Council (AHC) Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum has been rescheduled for Oct. 25-28, 2020, at the Le Meridien Hotel in Denver, Colorado. The forum allows for close discussions with leaders about challenges and initiatives facing the industry. The winners of the Van Ness Award, Rolapp Award and Hickey Award will also be honored at the event. Registration opens Aug. 1. Visit www.horsecouncil.org.
NCHA Hall of Fame Inducts Cascio & Merrill
Charles “Bubba” Cascio and Frank
Merrill have been inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Hall of Fame. Cascio trained runners such as World Champions Dash For Cash and Dashingly, as well as All American Futurity winners Three Ohs and Champion Rocket Wrangler. Off the track, Cascio has been hailed as an early pioneer of the NCHA and won the most “major cut- tings” in the shortest amount of time. Among his cutting horses is Royal Jazzy (Royal King- Jazmau), who made it to the NCHA Top 10
in 1961 & 1962, earning an NCHA silver and bronze award in 1963. Cascio is already part
of the AQHA Hall of Fame, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and Texas Racing Hall of Fame. Former AQHA president Frank Merrill operated Winward Stud in Oklahoma for more than 40 years before managing Bob Moore Farms. He has been a member of the NCHA since 1968 and has served as NCHA executive committee member, NCHA competition committee chair, NCHA Foundation trustee and Quarter Horse News columnist. Merrill has also served on the NCHA’s Hall of Fame selection committee.
Vesicular Stomatitis Cases Confirmed in New Mexico
On April 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the year’s first cases of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in the U.S. when the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed two cases of vesicu- lar stomatitis virus (VSV) in New Mexico. One case is in Dona Ana County and one in Sierra County. Biosecurity and insect eradication steps have been instituted to reduce spread of this highly contagious virus. VSV causes blister-like lesions in the mouth and on the nostrils. If you suspect VSV, contact USDA-Veterinary Services at 505-313-8050.
Saudi Cup Withholds Purse After Trainer Servis Charged
The $20 million purse of the Saudi Cup has been withheld pending the completion of an internal investigation after winning trainer Jason Servis was indicted in a doping scheme. Servis, trainer of Maximum Security, was one of 27 trainers, veterinarians, drug distributers and others charged. The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) stated that the investigation has been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Horse Rescues Face Closures Due to COVID-19
Horse rescues face closure due to a sudden drop in funding, lack of volunteers and increased need for services. As COVID-19 stretches on, more than 500 equine rescues are trying to find ways to cope while keeping animal welfare at the forefront. A few rescues have already closed while others could run out of hay and feed soon. In early March, the
130 SPEEDHORSE May 2020