NHBPA Concludes Winter Convention
20 February 2015, Arizona ~ The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) has concluded its winter convention after conducting a wide variety of forums and expanding its membership to include the Wyoming HBPA. The four-day event, hosted by the Arizona HBPA, was held at the Carefree Resort near Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to the educational meetings, horsemen from across North America enjoyed an outing at the local racetrack, Turf Paradise, and a trip to an authentic western saloon complete with bull-riding.
“This was one of our most successful conventions yet with a diverse group of speakers addressing several important topics facing the racing industry,” said Robin Richards, president and chairperson of the NHBPA. “We are also pleased to welcome the Wyoming HBPA and bring even more members into our organization.”
The convention kicked off with keynote speaker Mike Rogers, president of the racing division of The Stronach Group. In a wide-ranging address, Rogers spoke about takeout rates, simulcast fees, exchange wagering and marketing North American racing around the globe.
In the racehorse aftercare forum, Dennis Miller, founder of the Arizona division of CANTER, described the process of transitioning and placing former racehorses into new homes. He mentioned how CANTER volunteers will even come to the track to take photos and video to help owners and trainers in placing horses who do not have a future in racing.
The final forum of the convention covered medication issues and included a distinguished panel of speakers: Marybeth Brown-Pirrone, a New Mexico state Board of Veterinary Medicine member; Dr. Clara Fenger; Patrick Gallagher, a Chicago attorney involved in the pharmaceutical industry; Rachael Pontikes, who acts as litigation counsel for compounding pharmacies; and Dr. Thomas Tobin, a noted researcher and author at the University of Kentucky, Gluck Equine Research Center.
The National HBPA (www.nationalhbpa.com), based in Lexington, KY, is the largest racing horsemen’s representative organization in North America with 30 affiliate organizations and over 30,000 member horsemen.
~ end press release