GENERAL INDUSTRY INFO & NEWS

REINING'S LOSS

MUSTANG MANAGEMENT    The House passed bill HR-1018, the Restore Our American Mustangs Act.  The bill mandates wider use of contraception to control herd size, directs the BLM to expand its adoptions programs, and forbids the euthanasia or sale of horses for slaughter.   The bill now moves to the Senate for approval.  VP of Government Affairs for the Humane Society of the United States, Nancy Perry, said the vote signifies "a step toward more cost-effective, humane wild horse and burro management." The BLM currently manages more than 33,000 wild horses and burros on public land.  No comment from the BLM was available. e-mail your congressman today...     SLAUGHTER HORSES    Regardless of your stance on this issue, the direction of equine related legislation in our country will potentially - or rather eventually - affect every single horse owner.   Learn more about the current status of this hot topic... read more...   CLONING UPDATE     The AQHA reported that there would be a Cloning Forum during the Stud Book & Registration Committee meeting held at the AQHA Convention March 6. Some AQHA members are concerned that the registration of clones may violate certain AQHA Bylaws... read more...   On March 9, 2009, the Board of Directors of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) voted that action on a member proposal to approve the registration of foals produced by cloning be postponed until the 2010 AQHA Annual Convention. In the interim, the committee recommended the appointment of a task force to continue to seek information and input from informed sources regarding cloning... read more...   SEE A FACT SHEET ON CLONING     AQHA NEW REINING SPONSOR    On July 30, 2009, AQHA became the Official Reining Breed Sponsor for the 2010 World Equestrian Games which will be held at Lexington's Kentucky Horse Park on September 25-October 10, 2010.   NBC Sports has promised to cover the 2010 WEG events more than ever before, and their 90-minute opening coverage will also highlight Reining.  According to one source, "the 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide (KY) economic impact of $150 million."  For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.AlltechFEIGames.com     NEW REINING CLASSES   NRHA announced on May 30, 2009, a brand new 4 tier entry level set of classes to be offered beginning 2010.  Variations of cost, ownership conditions, patterns and competition license requirements are among the unique concepts of the program.  See www.nrha.com for more info on the new NRHA Associate Membership. read more...     NRHA ANNUAL  MEMBERSHIP MEETING   Call the Renaissance Oklahoma City Convention Center Hotel by January 13 for the $139 NRHA rate (Use code “2010 NRHA Workshop” to get the discounted rate. Regular rates apply after January 13). 405-228-8000 800-468-3571 MEETINGS INCLUDE: Open Board of Directors Meetings Numerous Open Committee Meetings Saturday Evening Reception     ANNUAL NRHA AWARDS BANQUET The NRHA Board of Directors agreed last year to move the banquet to the NRHA Derby on June 24 at the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Each year, the banquet recognizes NRHA World Champions, Top 20 Professionals, Top 20 Owners and NRHA Hall of Fame Inductees. Stay tuned for more details coming in a monthly NRHA newsletter.   if you know of something newsworthy you would like to see included here, please e-mail STOP@WHOAZONE.COM

TOPSAIL WHIZ     Topsail Whiz, a 1987 chestnut stallion (Topsail Cody X Jeanie Whiz Bar X Cee Red) recently achieved SIX MILLION DOLLAR NRHA SIRE status. On December 23, 2009, shortly after this great accomplishment, Topsail Whiz died from complications after a surgery related to a pinched nerve issue. We send our condolences to Loomis Ranch.                 WEST COAST WHIZ     West Coast Whiz, a 1995 bay stallion (Topsail Whiz X My Moonstone Chex X King Fritz) passed away on December 8th due to a white line disease problem in his feet. We send our condolences to Loomis Ranch.                       Great Red Pine    Great Red Pine, a 1988 red dun stallion (Great Pine x Nifty Jodieann x Nifty Bee)died late June 2009 due to kidney failure.  We send our condolences to owner Glenn Hogan.                       WHIZARD JAC    Whizard Jac, a 1993 sorrel stallion(Topsail Whiz X Bees Honey Jac X Hollywood Jac 86) was euthanized in June, 2009, due to an advanced and painful ringbone condition.  Mike Flarida rode Whizard Jac to the 1996 NRHA Open Futurity Championship as well as the very first USEF Reining Championships in Gladstone, New Jersey and many other major event top finishes.               ELANS PLAYBOY      Elans Playboy (Freckles Playboy X Miss Elan X Doc O Lena) was humanely euthanized at his home, Babcock Ranch, in September, 2009.  The 1993 sorrel stallion was reportedly in pain due to injuries sustained as a younger horse.  Despite his early injuries, Elans Playboy amassed over $30,000 in NCHA earnings and was the 2000 AQHA Senior Cutting World Champion.             SMART SHINER     Smart Shiner (Shining Spark X  Smart Hickory X Docs Hickory) passed away January 15, 2009, due to health related issues.  Smart Shiner had over $50,000 LTE and was an AQHA Superior Reining Horse.  Among his wins was the Intermediate Open NRHA Derby Championship.  At 13 years of age, his contribution as a reining and reined cow horse sire was notable.  Condolences go out to Carol Rose Quarter Horses on their loss.