June Article: http://www.horsegazette.com/Monthly_Features/08-June/Jun08-Index.html

 

July Article: 

Momentum on Horsemen’s Bill

The Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) conducted regional meetings throughout Texas to inform Texans about the Agriculture Economic Impact and Rural Development Incentive, also known as the Horsemen’s Bill.  The meetings were sponsored by Thoroughbred Times with a complimentary dinner buffet and hosted by TTA regional members. 

               The second South Regional meeting was held June 10, hosted by James and Pam Wessell at their Bulverde 40-acre ranch.  The meeting was held to inform horse owners about TTA’s Agricultural Economic Impact & Rural Development Initiative for the 2009 Texas legislative session and the various action plans.

               Dave Hooper, Executive Director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association discussed the Horsemen’s Bill and the “Good for Texas” provisions that are designed to raise the Texas horse industry back to its rightful position as the best in the USA.

The State Coordinator, Sherry Raska, presented information about the TTA Network and the TTA Blue Jean Committee.  The purpose of the TTA Network is to have a simple and fast way to communicate information concerning legislative efforts and industry and association issues throughout the TTA membership. At this time, the TTA Network’s two main goals are to conduct polling/communication and legislative efforts for the Horsemen’s Bill.  You do not have to be a member of TTA to get involved; volunteers/members are needed too! Some tasks for volunteers include: contacting candidate or campaign headquarters to put up signs or help organize a rally; contacting businesses you patronize, especially those that are agriculturally-based and will benefit from the horse industry’s survival and prosperity; and getting voter registration records and contacting the voter anyway your creativity and finances will allow.  Don’t be shy about saying “The Texas horse and agricultural industry needs your help!”  For more information, you can contact Sherry Raska, 830-997-6768 (sraska08@yahoo.com) or Dave Hooper, 512-458-6133 (davidh@texasthoroughbred.com).

               The TTA Blue Jean Committee is a grass roots effort to give TTA members and other interested agricultural or horse-related individuals the opportunity to express and help implement ideas that will promote the Texas horse and agricultural industry and/or create new revenue streams.  This committee needs people who will respond to staff efforts to set up meetings, make an effort to be on conference calls, have a creative and positive attitude, and help with agreed upon initiatives if needed.  For more information you can call Mary at 512-458-6133 or Sherry at 830-997-6768.

               Visit the Texas Thoroughbred Association at www.texasthoroughbred.com.

 

August Article: 

Six Prominent Texas Horse Associations Ban Together to Form “Texas HORSE”

            AUSTIN—Texas Horse Organizations for Racing, Showing and Eventing (Texas HORSE) became a formal entity on July 7th with the signing of articles of association by representatives of six racing breed and performance horse organizations.

           The six organizations presently comprising Texas HORSE are the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, Texas Arabian Breeders Association, Texas Quarter Horse Association and Texas Thoroughbred Association.

           The purpose of the new organization is to utilize the resources of all participating organizations and their members to present a united front in the legislative effort.

Texas HORSE’s objective is to keep Texas money in Texas to help educate Texas children, enhance health care, provide good roads, address other needs in Texas and stop the exodus of Texas horses and horsemen.

The mission of Texas HORSE is to pass legislation to allow additional forms of legal gaming at the 13 licensed racetracks in Texas, which will create a significant revenue stream to the total horse industry in the state and provide Texas horsemen with the ability to compete on a level playing field with surrounding states that already benefit from having alternative forms of gaming.

The performance side of the Texas horse industry, represented by Texas-based AQHA, APHA and NCHA in the new organization, has particular interest in the proposed legislation because of the provision of a revenue stream from alternative gaming to a new Performance Horse Development Fund. Texas will be the first state to utilize revenue from alternative gaming for a much broader segment of the horse industry. PHDF will direct a specified amount of dollars to non-racing performance horse activities such as cutting, reining, barrel racing, team roping, Western pleasure, rodeo, trail rides and eventing.

Jim Helzer, representing AQHA as its incoming president, was elected as the first president of Texas HORSE. Dr. Jacquelyn Rich, beginning her second term as TTA president, was elected vice president and Bronc Willoughby, who recently ascended to the presidency of NCHA, was elected secretary-treasurer.

Each member of Texas HORSE has a designated representative on the board of directors with Helzer and Dr. Rich representing their respective associations along with Lex Smurthwaite (APHA), Jeff Hooper (NCHA), Ed Wilson (TABA), Dr. Tommy Hays (TQHA) and Dr. Robert Lewis as director at large.

Commenting on the formation of Texas HORSE, Helzer said, “It is time to put Texas horses and Texas horsemen out in front of this legislative effort. Passage of the bill being supported will have a tremendous positive impact on the agricultural economy and on rural development in Texas. The new revenue will touch each and every horse owner and propel the entire horse industry in Texas to greater levels than ever before experienced.”