edward
06-16-2008, 10:28 PM
Horse Racing and Other Nationwide Horse Events and their impact on Arizona Horseowners
PETA Lawyers (an extremist animal rights group) requested an investigation be conducted in the death of Eight Belles, the 3-year-old filly that was euphemized at the Kentucky Derby. PETA demonstrated at the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority office and called for changes in the horseracing industry, including a ban on 2-year-old racing. A necropsy on Eight Belles showed she had no diseases or pre-existing bone abnormalities before the breakdown. She also tested negative for steroids.
What is the impact of PETA’s action? None in Kentucky for the Three Belles issue. But, for the rest of the country maybe it’s just the start of more government interference into our world. On June 19 at 10 AM The United States House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a hearing--"Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse"
The hearing will examine the fact that horse racing lacks a central regulatory authority like other sports leagues such as the National Football League and Major League Baseball, and consequently has been very slow to address longstanding problems plaguing the sport. U.S. Rep. Rush, an Illinois Democrat chairs the subcommittee, and U.S. Rep. Whitfield, a Kentucky Republican serves as ranking member of the subcommittee, said the hearing will help determine whether "special status" granted to horse racing under the federal Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 is still warranted.
While the overall intention here may be “good” we all should be concerned that there are far too many “outside” influences on our industry. If your non-horse neighbor can change zoning ordinances and PETA and others affect congressional investigations into Racing, then what is next? Could this just be our last call to unite into action????
Unite under one umbrella with The Arizona State Horsemen’s Association. Contact us at www.asha.com or 602-390-6806
PETA Lawyers (an extremist animal rights group) requested an investigation be conducted in the death of Eight Belles, the 3-year-old filly that was euphemized at the Kentucky Derby. PETA demonstrated at the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority office and called for changes in the horseracing industry, including a ban on 2-year-old racing. A necropsy on Eight Belles showed she had no diseases or pre-existing bone abnormalities before the breakdown. She also tested negative for steroids.
What is the impact of PETA’s action? None in Kentucky for the Three Belles issue. But, for the rest of the country maybe it’s just the start of more government interference into our world. On June 19 at 10 AM The United States House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a hearing--"Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse"
The hearing will examine the fact that horse racing lacks a central regulatory authority like other sports leagues such as the National Football League and Major League Baseball, and consequently has been very slow to address longstanding problems plaguing the sport. U.S. Rep. Rush, an Illinois Democrat chairs the subcommittee, and U.S. Rep. Whitfield, a Kentucky Republican serves as ranking member of the subcommittee, said the hearing will help determine whether "special status" granted to horse racing under the federal Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 is still warranted.
While the overall intention here may be “good” we all should be concerned that there are far too many “outside” influences on our industry. If your non-horse neighbor can change zoning ordinances and PETA and others affect congressional investigations into Racing, then what is next? Could this just be our last call to unite into action????
Unite under one umbrella with The Arizona State Horsemen’s Association. Contact us at www.asha.com or 602-390-6806