News

Herpes outbreak in Europe results in travel restrictions at horse shows in Florida

Details: March 3, 2021; By SARA CAVANAGH

OCALA, Fla.--There has been an outbreak of equine herpesvirus in Europe, and the virus has now also been found in at least one horse in Ocala, although not yet at either HITS or the World Equestrian Center horse showing venues, so HITS, WEC and shows in Wellington have all put safety restrictions in place.

World Eq. Center 2 World Equestrian Center The FEI announced March 1 that competition has been cancelled until March 28 in 10 European countries including France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany and Slovakia due to the outbreak of the equine herpesvirus.

As the virus has now been identified in Ocala and out of an abundance of caution, World Equestrian Center – Ocala management has issued increased biosecurity measures and the following to keep showing horses safe:

Effective immediately, World Equestrian Center – Ocala will no longer permit ship in horses to the property.

No new entries travelling from other events in Florida will be accepted including from the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) , HITS, Venice or the Ridge.

All World Equestrian Center - Ocala stabling areas will be strictly limited to essential personnel – riders, trainers, grooms, vets and farriers.

New Bolton develops a test fol illegal gene doping in horses

Details: February 25, 2021; By SARA CAVANAGH

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--Another strike has been struck against illegal doping as researchers at New Bolton have developed a test to find illegal gene doping in horses.

W Duncan Patterson W. Duncan PattersonNew Bolton's study was supported in part by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association and the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission.

It is an on-going battle as it seems that every time a test is developed to find an illegal drug, trainers find another drug for which a test has not yet been discovered.

Although they now have this new test for illegal gene doping, it doesn't cover all gene doping but it does lead the way towards developing those tests.

“For the first time, we have demonstrated that a PCR test performed on a blood sample can detect the local administration of a gene therapy into the joint of a horse,” said Dr. Mary Robinson. “While this test is currently limited in that it can only detect a specific gene therapy, it provides proof of concept that a gene therapy administered into the joint can be detected in a blood sample in a manner that is quick, convenient, and consistent with our long-term goal of deploying pre-race testing someday in the future.”

"Gene doping involves introducing red blood cells into a horse," said Duncan Patterson, Chairman of the Drug Testing Standards and Practices Committee for the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

"It increases muscle mass and performance," said Patterson. "This has a potentially deleterious affect on the health of a horse. Increased muscle mass can put undue stress on bones and tendons."

Another potential defense against illegal drugging is The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act that passed the U.S. Senate last December.

That act would make unite all racing under one organization, instead of each state having its own differing regulation about drugs are legal and in what amounts.

"They''re on the right track, provided the racing industry gets behind it," said Russell Jones, a member of he Pennsylvania Racing Commission. "The good thing is they're not going to try to build it from the ground up. They will be able to do things like use wire taps, which we couldn't do."

Making one rule covering doping would enable trainers to know exactly what can be used and in what doses.

Being a federal commission, and being able to use things like wire taps, would enable them to spot illegal practices more easily.

A letter from PTHA President Salvatore DeBunda, Esq.

Details: February 17, 2021; By Staff Writers

Once again, a proposal by Governor Tom Wolf to take $199 million from the Race Horse Development Fund Trust to redirect to his Tuition Program is circulating in Harrisburg.

Salvatore DeBunda, Esq.We are working hard to remind the Governor of the historical context of the law he himself signed a revision to in 2017, which protects the slot money in an encumbered trust for the horseracing industry of Pennsylvania, and in turn provides over 1.6 billion dollars in economic activity each year.

Pennsylvania racing has already taken a number of hits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are optimistic that the state legislature will again reject this proposal.

Still, just the mention of a raid on the fund is enough to scare off prospective breeders, despite the lucrative incentives for PA-Breds in our state.

Raiding the fund seems easier than proposing a tax increase, because a vote is not needed.

Moreover, most voters never realize that the current legislation supplements local property taxes.

SAVE THE DATE: Devon Horse Show & Country Fair Returns May 27-June 6, 2021

Details: February 16, 2021; By Staff Writers

DEVON, Pa.--Great news for exhibitors and for spectators, Devon Horse Show has announced it will hold it's 125th annual Horse Show and Country Fair May 27 to June 6.

Devon generic jumper Started in 1896, and currently celebrating its upcoming 125th anniversary in 2021, the Devon Horse Show is the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed competition in the United States and draws in top competitors from around the world.

With the grandeur of Philadelphia's historic Main Line as its backdrop, the show continues to reflect the local traditions and lifestyles of the community.

The Devon Country Fair, run by more than 2,000 volunteers, offers a variety of boutique shops in miniature cottages, amusement rides and games for kids, multiple dining options, and special entertainment events.

From the top jumpers in the country to top hunters, saddlebreds, hackney, four-in-hand driving to exhibitions and more, Devon offers exciting competition in a variety of breeds with the piece de resistance the Grand Prix Thursday evening.

Learn more about the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, stay connected with The Devon Horse Show & Country Fair.

John Forbes, NJ THA president, died Feb. 1

Details: February 11, 2021; By Staff Writers

OCEANPORT, N.J. --John Forbes, 73, a horse racing advocate and thoroughbred trainer who won more than 2,100 races, died Feb. 1

John Forbes No cause of death was given.

Born in Maryland, Forbes spent his entire career in the racing industry, following his parents into the profession.

He moved his operations to New Jersey in the late 1970s and remained a Garden State mainstay.

“John was New Jersey racing,” said Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth Park Racetrack. “He was a tireless advocate for the industry, for the horsemen and for Monmouth Park.”

Among Forbes’ long list of accomplished runners were graded stakes winners Peanut Butter Onit, Pukka Princess, Jess C’s Whirl, Boyce, Amarillo, Get Serious and Tale of the Cat, who went on to be a leading sire.

Forbes gave up training on a daily basis in 2012.

McLane Hendriks moves into training as well as riding in steeplechase races

Details: February 10, 2021; By Staff Writers

By Tod Marks

UNIONVILLE, Pa.--When your parents are accomplished trainers, racing is literally, figuratively, and undeniably in your blood.

McLane Hendriks on Officer Sydney (Photo by Tod Marks)So there really was little doubt from day one that McLane Hendriks was destined for a career at the track in one capacity or another.

At 29, McLane already has been in riding competitively for 20 years, his first mount coming at age nine aboard a horse named Angel in Disguise in a pony race at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup.

He continued to gain experience -- and learn the trade from his mom and dad, Liz Merryman and Ricky Hendriks -- in pony races, junior horse races, and field master chases until he was 16.

In 2007, McLane received the Jonathan Kiser Memorial Scholarship, selected by the Maryland Steeplechase Association board and awarded to a junior rider in recognition of sportsmanship, horsemanship, talent, and dedication to the sport.

The scholarship provided McLane with tuition to attend the National Steeplechase Foundation Summer Steeplechase Camp/Clinic, which involved working for the late legendary trainer Tom Voss.

“It was a great experience working for Mr. Voss,” McLane said. “I rode out and groomed, I learned how to judge pace there with the help of Cyril Murphy, who was his stable jockey at the time.”

For the past seven seasons, McLane has ridden as an amateur in 62 NSA sanctioned races, winning seven times, with seven seconds and six thirds.

Representatives of Willowdale and Winterthur are two of the three new board members of NSA

Details: February 8, 2021; By Staff Writers

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--Leslie Carpenter, director of Willowdale Steeplechase, is one of three new members of the Board of Directors of the National Steeplechase Association, the governing body of jump racing in America, along with Jill Abbott, a director of Winterthur Point-to-Point.

Leslie CarpenterLeslie White Carpenter, race director for the Willowdale Steeplechase in Kennett Square for the past eight years and the former director of the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup in Unionville for two, brings a background in development, public relations, and corporate marketing along with a lifelong love of horse sports to the 15-member board.

During her leadership tenure at Willowdale, the meet has tripled in attendance, sponsorship, revenue, and reserves.

Leslie’s vision goes beyond Willowdale as she regularly seeks to collaborate with other meets, and employ new strategies and initiatives to grow the sport and help it thrive.

Leslie lives with her husband, Bob Carpenter, in Wilmington, Del.

She has two children and three stepchildren.

The rest of the family includes a retired thoroughbred and three dogs.