NEWS &VIEWS


MD Stadium Authority Projects $424 Million to Rebuild Pimlico


On T ursday, December 13, the Maryland


Stadium Authority released its study on the fu- ture of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, and concluded that the best option for the nearly 150-year-old track is to tear it down and re- build it from scratch. T e study projected $424 million for the rebuild, but the new version of Pimlico would include many additional fea- tures that would benefi t both the community and the racing industry. Additional structures proposed are a hotel, supermarket, shops and an infi eld that can be used for other events in addition to live racing days. Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh stated


that the city strongly endorses the study and redevelopment plan. She said, “T e economic opportunity it would bring could dramatically revitalize an area that’s experienced disinvest- ment for decades.” Del. Samuel “Sandy” Rosenburg (D), whose


district includes Pimlico, said the study’s pro- posal presents “an extraordinary community development opportunity on the racetrack site that would also allow us to transform the cur- rent Pimlico into a 21st century racing facility.” T e Stronach Group, owners of Pimlico, re- leased a statement T ursday morning applaud- ing the Maryland Stadium Authority stating, “T e Stronach Group would like to thank the Maryland Stadium Authority for its thorough and extensive job of understanding and re- sponding to the challenges of the aging Pim- lico Race Course.” T e press release also stated that MSA’s fi ndings are in line with their own assessments of the track. T e big question now is who would be paying for the $424 million rebuild? Belinda Stronach, of T e Stronach Group, said that her team was open to any proposals, while Tim Ritvo, chief operating offi cer, stated that they could not pay for the entire rebuild on their own. At this time, it is unclear how much of the suggested rebuild budget could be funded by the government. In the meantime, the Maryland Jockey Club


released its 2019 racing schedule, which includes the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 18. T e schedule shows a 12- day Preakness Meet that will include 16 stakes races worth $3.8 million in purses.


FEI Drops Reining & AQHA On November 19, 2018, Sabrina Ibanez, sec-


retary general for the Fédération Equestre In- ternationale (FEI), notifi ed the National Rein- ing Horse Association (NRHA) and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) via email that its 2014 Cooperation Agreement was of- fi cially terminated by the FEI. T e letter of ter- mination came after several months of discus- sions over specifi c age classes, FEI stewarding requirements and medication regulations in regards to the sport of reining. According to an offi cial statement released


by NRHA on November 20, NRHA leaders off ered to travel to the FEI offi ces in January to negotiate a continued relationship but FEI offi cials declined the opportunity. One of the biggest changes to reining classes the FEI was requiring was to make all NRHA reining classes for horses seven years and older be FEI-approved, run under FEI rules and be held in accordance with the respective National Federation. NRHA vice president Mike Hancock stat-


ed, “After discussions with show management teams, we discovered how complex and expen- sive this would be for them. In the end, we felt it would be more detrimental to the growth of older horse competition to move forward with this concept. However, we are hopeful to dis- cuss other opportunities for future growth and mutual benefi t with FEI.” T e AQHA posted a statement on November 19 which reported on the notifi cation of termi- nation and commented on how the AQHA felt it was not necessary. AQHA reported that the letter stated that the association was in breach of the 2014 agreement in terms of age divi- sions, reciprocity and steward/drug regulations. “AQHA does not feel it has breached the terms of the agreement and welcomes continued dia- log with FEI,” the press release stated. T e association went on to explain that


“AQHA’s regulations and practices, in particu- lar those associated with stewards and drug testing, are consistent with and meet such re- quirements. Simply put, our top priority as an association of horsemen is the health and wel- fare of our sport and of this great animal.” NRHA also explained that it has established its own rules and guidelines in terms of stewarding and drug testing. “T e safety and well-being of reining horses is the utmost priority for NRHA, and it will continue to take appropriate measures to maintain and enforce those rules, including its own set of medications rules and penalties.”


You Can Use Reining was fi rst recognized as a sport by


AQHA in 1949. T e NRHA was founded in 1966 and reining became an offi cial FEI disci- pline in 2000. T e Equiery wants to know how these FEI


changes aff ect Marylanders who participate in reining. Please send your thoughts and com- ments to editor@equiery.com.


Gosbee Pleads Guilty Lara Gosbee of Rocky Ridge in Frederick


County pled guilty to eight counts of animal cruelty on November 28. T is past April, 12 horses were found mal-


nourished and several others were found dead at Misty Dreams Farm in Rocky Ridge. Although the farm is owned by Valerie Pickett, Gosbee’s mother, it was Gosbee who was responsible for the horses. In August, Gosbee was formally charged with eight counts of animal cruelty and eight additional counts of animal cruelty, failure to provide nutritious food in suffi cient quantities. T e 12 living horses were surrendered to


Frederick County Animal Control and moved to Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Lisbon for rehabilitation. Gosbee did comply with offi cials and composted the dead horses. Gosbee was granted two years’ probation be-


fore judgment and ordered to pay more than $1,200 in restitution to the Buckeystown Vet- erinary Hospital for medical care of the horses. Offi cials reported that Gosbee has been per- mitted to own one therapy animal and will be subject to random check-ins from county of- fi cials. Under the terms of her probation before judgment, Gosbee may be eligible to clear the charges from her record in the future.


Western Fame wins $100,000 Potomac Pace


On December 2, 2018, Easton, Maryland,


native Corey Callahan drove Western Fame to win the $100,000 Potomac Pace at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington. Trained by Rene Allard, who won this same race in 2017 with Keystone Velocity, Western Fame covered the mile in 1:49 2/5 for his 16th career victory. T e win pushed Western Fame over the $1 million career earnings mark.


Time To Ride Winners T e 2018 Time to Ride Challenge, which


kicked off during the summer, concluded on November 15. T is was the fi fth year of the


continued...


IF YOU HAVE NEWS, VIEWS OR UPDATES TO CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE SEND THEM TO THE EDITOR at The Equiery, P.O. Box 610, Lisbon, MD 21765 • FAX: 410-489-7828 • email editor@equiery.com.


Be sure to include your full name, phone number and address. All submissions become the property of The Equiery. www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 JANUARY 2019 | THE EQUIERY | 9


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