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AQHA RACING UPDATE
“Despite the difficulties we have all endured with COVID-19, we are ecstatic that the Challenge Regional qualifying stakes have all been offered . . .”
AQHA RACING CHALLENGE
The summer season has wrapped up, and I am looking forward to the fantastic racing that remains in the final quarter of 2020. One of the racing events that is paramount to the AQHA Racing Department is the AQHA Bank of America Challenge Championships which will be hosted by the Downs at Albuquerque on October 24, 2020. Despite the difficulties we have all endured with COVID- 19, we are ecstatic that the Challenge Regional qualifying stakes have all been offered, and the AQHA Challenge Championships promise to be an outstanding representation of stellar ath- letes. We appreciate the Downs at Albuquerque for their steadfast commitment to the event. While the races will not suffer from any detrimental impact of COVID-19, the event itself will take on a different appearance than any other year since the inaugural running in 1993. The connections of the horses who are participating in the 10-race card are welcome to attend the races, but as of now, the gen-
eral public will not be allowed. Additionally, because of the prohibitions in the state of
New Mexico, the AQHA Racing Conference that is usually held in conjunction with the AQHA Challenge Championships will not
be conducted. Be looking for news about a virtual Racing Committee meeting, coupled
with a virtual Racing Forum to be scheduled on a date following the AQHA Challenge Championships.
Speaking of the AQHA Challenge Champi- onships - The Downs at Albuquerque has been a fantastic partner in hosting our event. Last year, the impressive card drew a crowd of 8,000 people! Our friends at Albuquerque are disap- pointed that they cannot enjoy a similar turnout this year because of the pandemic, and talks are underway to give them another opportunity to host the AQHA Bank of America Challenge Championships in 2021. We are appreciative of their enthusiasm for Quarter Horse racing, and specifically of AQHA’s premier event.
AQHA Racing Council Summer Meeting
In my last submission I let you know that
we held the AQHA Racing Council’s summer meeting by teleconference on Aug. 10. The action items stemming from that gathering have since been presented to the AQHA Executive Committee for approval and I am now poised to offer some highlights:
Russell Harris was approved to serve his second term as Racing Council Chairman. During his first term, Russell proved to be very engaged. Now re- tired from training, he is free to attend more events and stay involved with the industry. He has a firm
understanding of the issues our business is facing and is always available when I need to discuss an important topic. Russell and I have been friends spanning three decades, and it is certainly my plea- sure to have this opportunity to work with him.
I frequently write about my concerns over pending federal legislation, referred to as the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act, and how it may impact our industry. The bills that are in the Senate and the House of Representatives are gaining momentum, and it is time to consider what to do should they pass. My paramount concern is the welfare of the horse. So, I sought permission from the Racing Council to seek sci- ence-based evidence to substantiate breed specific acceptance of race day administration of Lasix. The Racing Council and the Executive Com- mittee authorized me to collaborate with AQH Foundation staff to fund research that examines if there are Quarter Horse specific vulnerabili- ties to exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). As a horseman, I think there is reason to believe that the nature of our races, and the way that horses must exert themselves when sprinting might in fact lead to increased pulmonary pres- sure. Might increased pulmonary pressure lead
to higher incidence of bleeding? I am pleased to let you know we will be pursuing a study to see if such criteria lead to an increased vulnerability
October 2020
by Janet VanBebber, AQHA Chief Racing Officer
10 SPEEDHORSE October 2020