Page 169 - SpeedhorseMarch2021

NEWS BRIEFS
CHRB Rules No Violations Re: Danjer
Following an investigation, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) determined
no regulations were violated regarding a complaint alleging the horse Danjer was improperly prevented from participating
in the 2020 Champion of Champions. The CHRB noted, “it appears that complaints such as this will continue unless or until the Los Alamitos Race Course revises the way in which it makes invitations to certain stakes races.” The CHRB recommends the track owner: 1) remove himself from the invitational process where he may have a competing horse; 2) develop an independent panel to decide which horses receive invitations to certain stakes races; and 3) develop criteria for making decisions on whether a horse is invited to certain stakes races and make that criteria public. The CHRB said their decision was subject to change if additional information becomes available or if future complaints persist.
2021 LQHBA Board of Directors
The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders’ Association announced that Executive Director Bruce Salard named the following individuals for election to the board of directors to serve until the next regularly scheduled election for that district: Central District 3 year term, Lyle Guillory; South Central District 3 year term, Brandon Trahan; Southeast District 3 year term, Jimmie Hatcher; and Southwest District 3 year term Kirt Chaisson. LQHBA members had 15 days until March 20 to object to the qualifications of a nominee before they became final.
QH Trainers Receive Bans, Fines For
Positive Tests
The Texas Racing Commission recently handed out 1-year suspensions and $10,000 fines to three trainers whose horses tested positive for the Class 2 drug ractopamine, which carries a Class A penalty. The train- ers are Jorge L. Muniz, suspended from 11/20/20-11/19/21 for a disqualification at Retama Park on 8/13/20; Xavier Alonzo Jr., suspended from 1/23/21-1/22/22 for a dis- qualification at Lone Star Park on 9/26/20; and Jesus Marquez Meza, suspended from 11/1/20-10/31/21 for two positives at Lone Star Park on 9/13/20 and 9/19/20.
Iowa Horseman Robert “Bob” Urich Passes Away
Bob Urich, 84, passed away peacefully on Feb. 9, 2021. Bob grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where he met the love of his life Margaret Gillman. They were married in 1955, pur- chased some acreage and raised four children. Bob was a skilled horseshoer. He shared his love for horses with his children, spending
many weekends at horse shows. He and Margaret became involved with Quarter Horses and had
a successful breeding and racing program with multiple stakes winners. Bob served as a board member for the Iowa Quarter Horse Associa- tion and he and Margaret are in the Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame and the IQHRA Hall of Fame. After Margaret’s passing in 2006, Janet Rinehart entered his life and they shared a loving relationship until her passing in Dec. 2020. Bob is survived by his four children,
as well as numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
Louisiana Horseman Claude Wayne
Morien Passes
Claude Wayne Morien passed away at the age of 81 on Feb. 17. Wayne enjoyed a long and distinguished career in law enforcement that spanned 45 years. He served in the army before moving to the L.A. State Police, where he worked his way up the ranks to Major. In 1991, Morien was elected Sheriff of Evangeline Parish where he served for 17 years as the longest serving sheriff. Morien was a long-time member of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association. He is survived by many family members and good friends.
IQHRA Past President Howard Lee Duckett Passes Away
Howard Lee Duckett, 77, of Central City Iowa, passed away on Feb. 17 at his home surrounded by family. Howard was a lifetime member
and past president of the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association. He worked as General Superintendent for Lear Corporation for 25 years and was a Boy Scouts Den Leader. Howard is survived by his wife Cheryl along with their nine children, as well as 22 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
Neal McFadden Passes Away
Louisiana horseman Prentiss Neal McFadden passed away at the age of 77 on Feb. 23 following a short illness. Born in Ruston, Louisiana, Neal graduated from Louisiana Tech University. He began his career as a Pharmaceutical salesman and worked for Pfizer, Abbot Labs and Beecham Pharmaceuticals. In 1978, he established General Veterinary Supply in Lafayette. He and his
wife Mary then began McFadden Farm, raising Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. Neal served on the Animal Health Board of Louisiana, as well as on the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders board for over 30 years, serving as President, First Vice President and Second Vice President in that time. Neal is survived by his wife Mary of 30 years, a brother, four grandchildren, two great- grandchildren, and many other family members and friends.
Randy Hill Passes Away
Longtime horseman Randy Lynn Hill passed away at the age of 63 on Feb. 26. Randy
was born in Ada, Oklahoma, and attended East Central University. Randy’s father trained Quarter Horses in New Mexico
for two decades, and Randy obtained
his groom’s license at Ruidoso Downs at
the age of 14. He trained horses in the 1980’s, qualifying Quickest Bug Alive for the 1982 All American Derby. In 1987,
he began work as a Probation and Parole Officer and served a long and distinguished career with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. He married Stacy Charette in 2006 and they lived at their Quarter Horse ranch in Lexington, Oklahoma, where
they pursued their passion for training and breeding horses. Perhaps his greatest equine achievement was the management of leading sire PYC Paint Your Wagon for owner Michael Pohl. Randy also co-owned APHA World Champion Ivoriona. Randy served
as the mayor of Konowa, Oklahoma, was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the AQHA and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association, working to pass legislation for the horse racing industry in the state. Randy cherished his family, was amanoffaithandamanofhisword.In
a 2017 feature in Speedhorse, Randy said, “My dad always told me, ‘Tell the truth, no matter how much it hurts, because if your word is no good, you have nothing.’” Randy is survived by wife Stacy, his mother, a son, three grandchildren, and many other family members and friends.
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