Bill Walmsley Named National HBPA’s 2010 Industry Service Award Winner

At its recently concluded convention in Seattle, Washington, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (NHBPA) presented its 2010 Industry Service Award to Arkansas HBPA President and National HBPA Secretary-Treasurer and past president Bill Walmsley to recognize, honor, and express its gratitude to him for his active involvement, outstanding contributions, and wise counsel to the National HBPA over the past two decades. During that time, Walmsley has served at different times as NHBPA’s President, Vice President for the Southern Region, Secretary-Treasurer, and a Board member. He also has served as the NHBPA’s representative on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA)’s Board of Directors.

Walmsley is always quick to credit his wife, Janis, for her help and support in his efforts to serve the HBPA and the thousands of horsemen and women it represents over the years.

“Bill’s selfless dedication, efforts, and wise counsel to the National HBPA over the last two decades have been instrumental in uniting and strengthening the organization and raising its prominence and level of respect within the industry. It has been an honor and joy to serve alongside him on behalf of the National HBPA,” said current National HBPA President and Chairman Joe Santanna.

Born in Bald Knob, Arkansas, Walmsley attended Arkansas College, where he served as Student Council President and earned a scholarship as part of the basketball team. Walmsley went on to earn his law degree from University of Arkansas.

After practicing law for five years, Walmsley launched a successful campaign for a seat on the Arkansas State Senate. He served as a state senator in Arkansas for 12 years.

In 1993, Walmsley was elected president of the Arkansas HBPA. Two years later, he was also elected president of the National HBPA, a position he held for four years. Walmsley served as Arkansas HBPA President from 1993 through 2003, and he currently holds that office which he was re-elected to in 2009.

According to the formal resolution of the NHBPA Board of Directors presented to Walmsley, “During Bill’s tenure as National HBPA President, he was able to unite competing factions within the organization and restore the National HBPA’s reputation within the Thoroughbred industry. Bill was an early proponent of the NTRA and due to his exceptional persuasive skills was able to secure a seat on the initial NTRA Board for horsemen.”

The resolution went on to say, “The Board finally wishes to recognize that Bill continues to be a voice of reason as a current Board member able to find viable solutions to the most complicated issues and in large part because of his experience and wise counsel, the National HBPA, as an organization, continues to achieve national recognition as a Thoroughbred industry leader.”

The National HBPA is the largest horsemen’s representative association with over 30,000 affiliated horsemen across North America. Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supplies, Equineline.com, and Horseman Labor Solutions proudly sponsor the National HBPA.

National HBPA Board Supports Elimination of All Race-Day Medication Except Lasix, Passes Resolution Regarding Penalties on ARCI Class 1 & 2 Violations

On July 24, the Board of Directors of the National HBPA (NHBPA) unanimously passed a resolution calling for the elimination of all medication administered on race-day (including adjunct bleeder medications), with the exception of the use of Lasix to prevent the occurrence of Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH), provided Lasix is only administered on race-day at least four (4) hours prior to racing by a regulatory veterinarian in the horse’s stall. This and other actions were taken as part of the National HBPA’s 2011 summer convention hosted by the Washington HBPA at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel in downtown Seattle, Washington from July 21-24. The convention included informative speaker panels entitled, “The Scientific Case: Furosemide and the Prevention of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage” and “Visions of Racing’s Future.”

The NHBPA based its position on race-day medication on the existing scientific evidence that shows that most racehorses will bleed sometime in their careers, and Furosemide (Lasix/Salix) has been proven to reduce or prevent EIPH. Thus, its use is in the best interest of the welfare of racing horses and, by extension, the safety of the jockeys that ride those horses.

National HBPA President and Chairman Joe Santanna noted at the meeting, “The National HBPA will continue to advocate that changes to the industry’s rules and regulations regarding medication be based on scientific fact, not opinions. That’s who we are.”

Santanna also reminded attendees of three under-reported facts regarding U. S. horse racing based on Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) data:

• 25% of all equine participants are drug tested in each race
• 99.5% of all horses tested are in compliance with existing scientific standards
• 98% of 6,000 licensed trainers have no Class 1 or 2 medication violations

The NHBPA Board additionally passed a resolution supporting any industry and/or regulatory effort(s) whose goal is to put in place and/or enforce the strictest penalties for violations involving pharmacologically significant concentrations of ARCI Class 1 or 2 substances which have no approved or indicated use in the horse and are not detected due to environmental contamination, nor are therapeutic, endogenous or dietary substances. This support was predicated on a number of conditions, including: insuring suspected violators are afforded their full due process rights in accordance with applicable legal requirements, testing facilities used in confirming a ARCI Class 1 or 2 violation are in compliance with ISO IEC 17025 accreditation and utilize uniform standards and procedures due to the severity of penalties capable of being imposed, and that no substance or agent should be added to the list of ARCI Class 1 or 2 of prohibited substances without scientific evidence that justifies such addition and with prior consultation with the veterinary/scientific community and industry stakeholders.

President and Chairman Santanna stated, "I believe that the public positions taken by our Board today send the message out that while we and industry regulators may still have work to do on how we regulate and penalize horsemen with regard to the use of legitimate therapeutic medications, we are very much united with regulators on passing even tougher penalties for those found guilty of using substances that we all agree don’t belong any where near a horse – the performance enhancing non-therapeutic ARCI Class 1 and 2 listed substances.”

Ohio HBPA Executive Director Dave Basler and NHBPA Deputy Counsel Peter Ecabert will be advocating the above positions on behalf of the NHBPA at the RCI’s Drug Testing Standards and Practices Committee meeting on July 26 and the RCI’s Model Rules Committee Meeting on July 27. Additionally, Florida HBPA Executive Director and NHBPA Medication Committee Chairman Kent Stirling will be advocating the above positions on behalf of the NHBPA at Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) meeting on August 4.

Also at the convention, the NHBPA presented its Industry Service Award to Arkansas HBPA President and National HBPA Secretary-Treasurer and past president Bill Walmsley. Walmsley’s selfless dedication, efforts, and wise counsel to the National HBPA over the last two decades have been instrumental in uniting and strengthening to organization and raising its prominence and level of respect within the industry.

The National HBPA is the largest horsemen’s representative association with over 30,000 affiliated horsemen across North America. Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supplies, Equineline.com, and Horseman Labor Solutions proudly sponsor the National HBPA.

National HBPA 2011 Summer Convention Underway

The National HBPA's 2011 summer convention kicked off last night with a welcome cocktail party sponsored by the Washington HBPA, MOC Insurance Services, the Washington Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (WTBOA), and Girffin Place. Hosted by the Washington HBPA, the convention is taking place at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel in downtown Seattle, Washington and will continue through Sunday, July 24.

Today's agenda includes two speaker forums and some HBPA committee meetings.

The Medication Committee will present a forum entitled "The Scientific Case: Furosemide and the Prevention of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage." Moderated by Medication Committee Chairman and Florida HBPA Executive Director Kent Stirling, panelist will include Dr. Paul S. Morley, Dr. Don Shields, and Dr. Thomas Tobin.

National HBPA President Joe Santanna will moderate the afternoon panel, "Visions of Racing's Future," which will examine critical issues that will shape racing's future, including: technology, advanced deposit wagering (ADW), racing content and delivery, new forms of wagering, and more. Panelists will include Charles Champion, Ron Crockett, Ron Maus, Frank Petramolo, and Alex Waldrop.

Saturday's agenda will consist of more HBPA committee meetings, including the National HBPA Executive Committee. That afternoon, convention attendees will be treated to an afternoon at Emerald Downs, hosted by the racetrack and the Washington HBPA.

The National HBPA's full Board of Directors will hold its semi-annual meeting on Sunday morning. The Board meeting will mark the concluding event of the convention.

Forums on Race-Day Medication and the Future of Racing Top National HBPA Summer Convention Agenda

The National HBPA will kick off its 2011 summer convention at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel in Seattle, Washington this Thursday, July 21. The agenda for the four-day conference will be topped by speaker forums focused on both race-day medication and the future of racing. Both forums will be held on Friday, July 22.

On Friday morning, the National HBPA's Medication Committee will host a panel entitled, "The Scientific Case: Furosemide and the Prevention of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hommorrhage." Moderated by Medication Committee Chairman and Florida HBPA Executive Director Kent Stirling, the panel will explore scientific issues related to the use of furosemide (Salix/Lasix) for preventing EIPH in racehorses from various perspectives.

Panelists for the Medication Committee forum will include:

Dr. Paul S. Morley, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM, Professor of Epidemiology and Biosecurity, Clinical Science Department, Colorado State University

Dr. Don Shields, Equine Practitioner in Southern California, Founder of Winner’s Circle Ranch, an equine rehabilitation facility, Founder and CEO of Statison Medical, Clinical Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Thomas Tobin, Professor, Dept of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center and Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky & National HBPA Veterinary Advisor

Dr. Morley will speak about the South African furosemide study he co-authored. Dr. Tobin will give a presentation on the increased risk of injury to both horse and jockey if furosemide is banned, and Dr. Shields will report on the International Race Day Medication Summit, the proposed penalty guidelines for Bute, and his view of the furosemide situation.

Subsequent to the panel's comments, the National HBPA Medication Committee will discuss its position on both race-day use of furosemide and the proposed penalty guidelines for Bute.

On Friday afternoon, National HBPA President and Chairman Joe Santanna will moderate a "Vision of Racing's Future" panel. A group of forward thinkers will examine critical issues that will shape racing's future, including: technology, advanced deposit wagering (ADW), racing content and delivery, new forms of wagering, and more.

Panelists for the "Vision of Racing's Future" forum will include:

Charles Champion, Managing Partner Paladin Capital Partners and former Chairman and CEO, Youbet

Ron Crockett, President and lead partner of Emerald Downs Racetrack, Auburn, WA

Ron Maus, President, Washington HBPA, Founding Member of MRW Advisory, Seattle, WA

Frank Petramalo, Executive Director & Legal Counsel, Virginia HBPA

Alex Waldrop, President and CEO, National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA)

The National HBPA's 2011 Summer Convention will continue through Sunday, July 24.

Florida HBPA's President Sam Gordon Steps Down

The entire Florida HBPA Board of Directors was shocked and saddened when they were read Sam Gordon’s letter of resignation at Thursday’s meeting. Mr. Gordon stated in his letter of resignation that he was retiring due to “personal reasons.” Sammy was elected to the Florida HBPA Board of Directors in 2001 and served as its President the last six and a half (6 ½) years.

Sam was a graduate of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and is presently the CEO of West Indies Tropical Sales Company. He was the CEO of Del Monte Fresh Produce. In 2006 the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners honored him with their Bruce Campbell award for distinguished service to the thoroughbred industry and in 2010 he was awarded the Florida HBPA’s Person of the Year Award.

Sammy was known as a hard-nosed negotiator, and it was apparent in the purse and slots contracts he helped negotiate for Florida horsemen. His slots contracts give horsemen some of the best slot percentages from gross revenues to purses in the country with options for them to rise further in the future.

Owner Phil Combest moved from his position as First Vice President to fill Mr. Gordon’s former position as President. Mr. Combest stated, “Sam provided the Florida HBPA with outstanding leadership during an extremely critical period in our history. Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors and our entire membership, we’re all sorry to see Sam go and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Trainer Barry Rose moves up to be the First Vice President and owner Teresa Palmer becomes the Second Vice President. Owner Chester Bishop will fill out the remainder of Mr. Gordon’s three year term.

Long-time Florida HBPA Executive Director, Kent Stirling, said, “Sammy was a unique individual who could be screaming at you one minute and telling you a joke the next. He managed to always bring out the best in everybody, but it was becoming apparent recently that the pressures of the job were beginning to wear him down. He has been like a second father to me.”

Gessmann Re-Elected President of Iowa HBPA

The Iowa HBPA recently concluded its Board of Directors and presidential elections, and Leroy Gessmann has been reelected as president of the Iowa HBPA.

Trainers elected to the Board of Directors were Dick Clark, Chris Richard, Betty Coatney, Doug Anderson, and Tim Martin.

Owners elected were Sandra Rasmussen, Ed Holland, Doug Vail, Warren Bush and Loretta McClintock.

Breeders’ Cup Offers Travel Package to World Championships for ‘Don’t Give Up Espys V Foundation Auction’ Wednesday, July 13 on ESPN Radio and ESPN2 “Mike and Mike in the Morning” Program

Fans can bid on an exciting travel package to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, including an exclusive visit to retired Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and 2010 Horse of the year Zenyatta, in support of the “Don't Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” on ESPN Radio and on ESPN2’s “Mike an Mike in the Morning” program, Wednesday, July 13. The Breeders’ Cup package will be offered from 6:00-7:00 a.m. ET.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research is the primary non-profit beneficiary of the 2011 Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

Fans may bid on the package or donate to the cause by calling 1-800-4JIMMYV.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships package is as follows:

• Two (2) tickets in the exclusive Trophy Lounge at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday and Saturday, November 4th and November 5th, 2011 at Churchill Downs, Kentucky
• One (1) hotel room for three (3) nights over Breeders’ Cup weekend at an Official Breeders’ Cup Hotel
• Access to an Official Hospitality Center at a host hotel
• Transportation to and from the track on Friday and Saturday
• Two (2) tickets to the Winner’s Circle Welcome Party on Thursday, November 3rd
• Two (2) tickets to the Finish Line Celebration on Saturday, November 5th after the races
• Exclusive: “Meet & Greet” with 2010 Horse of the Year, Zenyatta, at Lane’s End Farm.

“We are proud to partner again with The V Foundation and their vital work to finding cures for cancer,” said Peter Rotondo, Vice President of Media and Entertainment for Breeders’ Cup Ltd. “We are equally thrilled that the Mosses have included a special visit with Zenyatta as a part of the travel package. Not only did she bring tremendous attention to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, but she has also helped raise more than $50,000 since 2010 for The V Foundation through special merchandise sales and fans donating through ticket purchases to the event over the past two years.”

“Along with Lane’s End Farm, we are delighted to support The V Foundation and its tremendous endeavors to help people in need,” said Jerry Moss, who along with his wife, Ann, campaigned Zenyatta before she was retired last year. “Zenyatta thrilled millions throughout her brilliant career, and we are pleased that fans will have the opportunity to visit her and to benefit this important and worthy cause.”

Breeders’ Cup and Zenyatta are also making available to fans a limited edition glassware set featuring Zenyatta’s record achievements over the past years. A portion of each glassware purchase will go directly to The V Foundation. Each set, which contains three glasses, may be purchased through www.breederscup.com/charities.

The V Foundation has been the primary non-profit beneficiary of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships since 2009. During the past two years, the Breeders’ Cup has raised more than $350,000 through donations to The V Foundation, an organization founded by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano in 1993.

Pfizer Animal Health Partners with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders on Equine Herpesvirus Type-1 Education Video

With the recent outbreaks of the neurological form of equine herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1), horse owners have been seeking information and advice on risks posed by this disease and methods to help protect their horses from exposure and infection. Pfizer Animal Health and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders (KTOB) have developed a video to help educate horse owners and answer some of their questions on EHV-1. The video is now available above and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N0Jfcmzbo8.

“In the wake of recent Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalophy (EHM) cases there is a great deal of information being disseminated to the public, it is our responsibility as Animal Health educators to make sure that information is accurate and easy to understand,” said Tom Lenz, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACT and Senior Director, Equine Veterinary Services for Pfizer Animal Health. “This equine herpesvirus video is intended to answer questions that horse owners may have concerning the disease. Horse owners are still encouraged to use their veterinarian as their main resource and contact them with any questions regarding this disease or any health concerns with their horse.”

The equine herpesvirus video features three renowned veterinarians including Dr. Kenton Morgan, Veterinary Services at Pfizer Animal Health, Dr. Doug Byars, an expert in veterinary disease and Dr. Craig Carter, Director of the University of Kentucky Diagnostic Laboratory. Dr. Byars is board certified in internal medicine and veterinary critical care, and previously was a long time director of the Hagyard Davidson, & McGee Medicine Department in Lexington, KY. Dr. Carter is a board certified epidemiologist and his lab runs more equine herpesvirus tests than any other lab in North America. Dr. Carter is recognized as a world authority on testing equine herpesvirus.

NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance Launches Aftercare Website

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced that the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance has today established a new Website, www.ntraaftercare.com, dedicated to retired Thoroughbred racehorses.

Information contained on the new site includes:

• Contact information for aftercare liaisons at all Alliance-accredited racetracks
• Interactive aftercare organization map showing facilities by state
• Links to educational aftercare articles
• Resources available to aftercare organizations, including grants and funding, gelding clinics, legal document templates, and a listing of national/regional organizations and associations.
• Best practices for racetracks and aftercare organizations
• Video library of Alliance Professional Education Seminar aftercare presentations
• Event calendar
• Aftercare news and success stories

Aftercare facilities are able to sign up at the site to have their facility listed, and to have their events listed on the site’s calendar.

“This new site will provide solid, practical information—for both prospective and current adopters—on funding options, second-career possibilities for Thoroughbreds and many other relevant topics,” said Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. “The site is targeted to anyone interested in getting involved with horses after their careers on the track are over.”

The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance focuses on human and equine safety and wagering security. Information on the Alliance, including the Alliance Code of Standards, can be found at www.NTRAalliance.com.

The Honorable Tommy G. Thompson, former four-term Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, serves as independent counsel of the Alliance.

Top 10 Reasons It's Good to Be an HBPA Member

10. NTRA Membership – As a member of the HBPA, you are a member of the NTRA and thus eligible to take advantage of all the benefits that come with NTRA membership. Those benefits include great discounts through NTRA Advantage on brands like John Deere, UPS, Office Max, Sherwin Williams, and others; representation in Washington on important legislative issue impacting the horse racing industry; and a discount prescription drug card.

9. Lots of ways to get industry information at your fingertips – If you want to know what is going on in the horse racing industry and how it may impact your horse-related business, we provide you that information in a number of different ways so that you can choose, what, how, and how much information you want to know. Those means include: this blog (http://nationalhbpa.blogspot.com/), the National HBPA website (www.nationalhbpa.com) , the National HBPA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nationalhbpa), the National HBPA Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/nationalhbpa), a periodic e-newsletter, and available printed and electronic versions of the association’s award-winning magazine, The Horsemen’s Journal.

8. The award-winning The Horsemen's Journal magazine – The Thoroughbred racing industry’s most widely circulated magazine carries more important local racing industry news than any other publication and takes a close look at industry issues from a horseman’s perspective.

7. Representation in the RMTC – With a seat at the table on the Racing and Medication Testing Consortium (RMTC), the HBPA is monitoring all medication issues as they arise and develop. The National HBPA’s Medication Committee and National HBPA Veterinary Advisor Dr. Tom Tobin, a renowned and leading industry scientist, work hard to advocate common sense policies and rules relying on proven scientific data that are in the best interest of horsemen and the horses that they race.

6. Representation in the RCI Model Rules process – The National HBPA has a Model Rules Committee and regularly has representation at meetings of the Racing Commissioners International (RCI)’s Model Rules Committee. That HBPA representation vocally advocates positions in the best interest of owners and trainers on important issues and amasses an often impressive amount of expert opinion and research to support those positions.

5. National HBPA Fire, Disaster and Vanning Insurance – This policy is an important benefit provided exclusively for current HBPA members. Please refer to the policy at http://www.nationalhbpa.com/resources/NewFireDisasterPolicy.pdf for coverage details.

4. National HBPA Owners & Trainers Liability Insurance Program – This affordable insurance program available to HBPA members has been designed to protect your assets in the event that you are liable for bodily injury or damage to property arising from your equine activities (including breeding, racing, sales and training). To find out more about his program, visit http://www.nationalhbpa.com/MemberBenefitsDisplay.asp.

3. The National HBPA Foundation – The National HBPA Foundation is a tax-exempt Sec. 501 (c)(3) fund that was developed as a safety net for horsemen when other forms of assistance are unavailable or have been exhausted after disaster strikes. Functioning as a practical example of the National HBPA slogan, “horsemen helping horsemen,” the National HBPA Foundation frequently and swiftly assists horsemen in times of disaster and great need.

2. Benevolence Assistance for horsemen, their employees, and their families – On a local level, HBPAs provide benevolence assistance for horsemen, their employees, and their families for such things as medical expenses, dental and optical expenses, funeral expenses, prescription drugs, psychological counseling, addiction counseling, etc. Check with your local HBPA affiliate for more information on what benevolence assistance is available in your area.

1. Strength in Numbers – As the largest racing horsemen's representative association in North America, the National HBPA is a vocal and respected voice in all horse racing industry issues. As an HBPA member, you have the strength of 30 HBPA affiliate organizations representing over 30,000 horsemen all over North America in your corner, constantly monitoring and protecting your rights and best interests. No other racing horsemen's representative association in North America can even approach the strength in numbers you share as a proud member of the HBPA.

National HBPA Office to Be Closed on Monday, July 4th in Observance of Independence Day

The National HBPA's office in Lexington, Kentucky will be closed on Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. The office will reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5th.

The National HBPA Board of Directors and staff wish you a happy and safe holiday weekend.