Hold Your Horses!

After much discussion about the dates and relocation of the Colorful Colorado Circuit, a lucky circumstance found The Ranch at Loveland with the show’s AQHA’s historical week open.  So Tally Ho and off to Loveland June 10-14 for AQHA (5 shows) and June 11-14 for IBHA/PHBA (8 shows) utilizing three different arenas.  Mile High Buckskin Horse Association will be producing the show with Excel Associates managing.  Over fence classes will be added for AQHA and the Open All Breed classes will continue to be offered.  Upgraded circuit prizes have been purchased and will be awarded in each class.  Stay tuned for more news about Colorful Colorado as the program develops.

Bellringer Circuit looks to be larger than last year with last minute reservations coming into the office.  There are plenty of stalls available, so don’t hesitate to come on down to the National Western Events Center.

Youth Western Riding previously listed for Friday will be run on Saturday after Western Pleasure.

Here is the Exercise Schedule for Tuesday in the Events Center Main Arena.

The Colorado House Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources Committee passed by an eight to three vote HB 1152. The bill will help revive the Colorado racing industry and jump start economic development for the overall Colorado horse industry. Besides helping horse racing by modernizing pari-mutuel simulcasting, the bill contains provisions for a Colorado Horse Breeders Incentive that is estimated to exceed $1,000,000 when fully developed.

The bill will now go to the House Finance Committee and then hopefully on to the full House. The committee hearing didn’t start until 6:30 pm because another bill’s hearing ran from 1:30 pm until 6:30 pm. Fortunately, the Committee was aware of the importance of this bill and took testimony and listened intensely to the testimony with an open mind.

Passage of the bill can be attributed to the many horsemen and women that stayed over nine hours to show support and those that testified. The following horsemen gave testimony:

Dr Jim Heird, CSU
Louis Cella, Oaklawn Park
Vaughn Cook, Royal Vista
Tony Gasich, RMQHA
Dan Issel, CTBA
John Corbin, APHA
Chris Whitney, Horseman
Dr Marv Beeman, Littleton Equine Medical Center
Mark McGregor, CHA

The opponents of the bill are not giving up, but we showed what a true grassroots effort by the horsemen of Colorado can do. We need to prepare for many more opportunities to explain and sell the horse industry economic development that is contained in HB 1152.

Thank you to all who contributed to the success with the Ag Committee and please continue your efforts as we move forward in the legislative process. We will keep everyone informed as we learn more about the next steps.

More information?  Write:    coloradohorse@yahoo.com

To Sheri Jaster on her loss of her good stallion, Definately A Dunit

Welcome to the new blog for Excel Associates.