FYI: EQUINE NEWS
• BEE PAPE
Bee Pape passed away Saturday, July 30. Bee will be remembered for
her contributions to dressage world.
In 2002 she was awarded
Region 9 Horse Person of the Year.
Bee's daughter, Susan Peacock and her family would like
memorial donations to be made to:
the "Bee Pape Scholarship Fund".
Bee was a great supporter of the grass roots.
To make a donation make check to:
"Bee Pape Scholarship Fund - Region 9"
Mail to: Allison Bailey, 1172 Hwy 334, Oxford, MS 38655.
• ALYCE HINKLE
It is with sadness that we report that USEA member
Alyce Hinkle of Conroe, Texas died Wednesday evening, August 17, 2011.
Alyce was a very hardworking member of Area V and served on
the USEA Young Event Horse Committee.
She had attained her BHSI some years ago and was
an ICP Level III certified instructor.
Alyce will surely be missed by all who knew her.
Memorial Service wAS held at MeadowCreek Park, Kosse, TX
on Saturday, August 27, 2011.
• PHIL SAWIN
I met Phil sometime in the later 70s at Bear Creek Stables in Missouri City, TX. He was stabling his horses there temporarily until he finished his place in Bellville. Along with my trainer, Louie Plagge and his wife Su we made a number of trips to Bellville to see the beginning of Pine Hill Farm.
When Phil was ready to open he asked me to do a logo for him. I used one of his beautiful pine trees' pine cones and the rest is history. Phil built the first cross country course in this area and had the only field hunter course I ever rode on. He was always building and improving Pine Hill adding dressage rings and show jumping rings. He hosted driving events and U.S. pony club rallies.
He finally married and settled down with Ruth Cooper, a perfect horse woman - horse lover match. Phil was always looking forward to bigger and better things at Pine Hill. He will be sorely missed.
In later years we had not seen too much of each other, being busy with our own lives but whenever I saw Phil his face would break into that big grin and I would get a bear hug. He seemed very happy with his life these days. I hope with our help Pine Hill can continue as a monument to Phil and his dedication.
I have head there may be a Memorial Service at the April 9 Horse Trials at Pine Hill.
• SANDY HARGER
Funeral services for Sandra "Sandy" Adams Harger, 63, of Richmond, are 2PM Thursday, February 19, 2009, at First United Methidist Church in Rosenberg with interment following at Morton Cemetery in Richmond, the Rev. John Black officiating.
Sandy was born March 9, 1945, in Ft. Worth, TX, to Goldie Winters Adams and Vivian "Jimmy" Adams. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rosenberg and helped her husband, Corky, at Fort Bend Saddlery.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jimmy and Goldie Adams.
Sandy is survived by her husband of 19 years, C. Corky Harger, sister Susanne Miller Heimbrook and husband, William Dow; niece, Roxannw Herbert and numerous family and friends.
Memorial donations may be made in Sandy's name to the American Cancer Society, Houston Metro Area, P. O. Box 570127, Houston, TX 77257-0127.
Tributes and words of condolence may be left for the Harger Family at website www.davisgreenlawnfh.com.
• UNION JACK - February 27, 1976 - May 6, 2003. Not particularly famous, but well-known especially among the
veterinarians at Texas A&M. He was a solid citizen, a good friend, and a great connoisseur of horse
treats. He lived for several years at Windy Knoll Farm in Magnolia and for his last 14 years at
Cy Creek Ranch in Cypress. Owner: Lou Caldwell
• JURGEN MAINZIER
Horseman Jurgen Mainzer of Hearne,TX, died on May 28, 2000, after a brief battle with cancer. He was 70.
Mr. Mainzer was born in Bremerhaven, Germany, where he trained with several well-known instructors. For 14 years he competing in the highest levels of dressage, show jumping and eventing.
After earning a MBA in Germany, Mainzer moved to Burbank, California, (1980) where he managed an import and export business of wines and spirits.
Mr. Mainzer became very active with horses in California. He was a charter member of the California Dressage Society. As a director of the Flintridge Riding Club he organized selection trials for the Pan Am games and Olympics. Mr. Mainzer started a develpong judges program, from which he earned an I-rated license in dressage and judged many dressage shows around the country.
In 1990 Jurgen Mainzer retired to the Texas hill country where he imported and raised Hanoverians at his K2 Ranch and still gave riding clinics around the country.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret J.M. Ezell-Mainzer; and a nephew and an uncle both of Hamburg, Germany.
The Chronicle of the Horse, Friday,June 16, 2000
• COLONEL ALLEN SMITH
Texas and the eventing world of USCTA Area V lost a great supporter with the passing of Col. Allen Smith of Paige, Texas. He was 64.
While stationed in Virginia with the Army Corps of Engineers, Smith became interested in riding and hunted with the Bull Run Hunt. And later in Ft. Leavenworth, KS he was joint MFH.
When he moved to Texas he became interested in eventing and was Area V Chairman from 1991 to 1993 and later chairman of the USCTA Adult Riders Committee. Smith was Area V Treasurer and on the USCTA Board of Governers since 1996.
We were all familiar with his byline in The Chronicle of the Horse as Al Smith, covering the local area events, keeping Texas horse trials in the news.
Col. Smith is survived by his wife, Christine, his daughter, Tamsy Markham and her husband, George Markham and three grandchildren.
• FORGET NOT
The Houston Dressage Society and all who knew him mourn the passing of Forget Not, known affectionately as: Chunky. He was an Anglo-Clydesdale gelding by Strider (TB) out of Lorna Doone, Clydesdale mare bred by Virginia Campbell Scott of Dalriada Farm in Pearland. The first of Virginia's "great experiment" to breed Texas Warmbloods. There were four offspring from this original TB/Cyldedale cross: three colts and one filly. Chunky was the one to leave home; shown in hunter, then in cross country and dressage by Cara Campbell, Virginbia's sister and trained to Grand Prix Dressage by Fran Dearing of Windy Knoll Farm, Magnolia.
Chunky upheld the Texas honor at the Insilco Dressage Championships under Cara at winning thrid place overall in a real head-to-head national dressage championship at Second Level.
Later he went on to be Fran Deaing's Grand Prix model winning the hearts of the audience with his wonderful freestyle to the strains of the Budweiser Beer commercial.
Chunky has been in his retirement years teaching a few lucky students what it was like to ride a Grand Prix horse. He will be missed.
• The Sport World Looses Two Equine Heroes.
BIG BEN - The world lost one of show jumping's great equine heroes in December, 1999 at the age of 23. Big Ben died from an untreatable case of colic.
Paired with Ian Millar, Big Ben represented Canada and brought home the individual and team medals in the Olympic Games in 1984, 1988 and 1992, the1986 World Championships and the 1987 PanAm Games. And won back-to-back World Cups in 1988and 1989.
Big Ben was a huge Belgian Warmblood over 17 hands. Even after retirement in 1994 he continued to receive honors. Big Ben was awarded a sports heroes' highest honor by being inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame along with Ian Millar. Ben was only the second non-human to receive this honor.the other being the great racehorse, Northen Dancer.
In 1999 Canada issued a postage stamp to his honor.
Big Ben was buried on Millar's farm in Ontario. Read more about Big Ben on Wikipedia
• ABDULLAH - January 5, 2000, the sporthorse world lost a great performance stallion and sire as the result of complications from emergency colic surgery.
Abdullah is best known as the individual silver medal winner at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Paired with Conrad Homfeld, the striking gray Trakehner stallion made Olympic history along with Homfeld's training partner Joe Fargis and the Thoroughbred mare, Touch of Class who won the individual gold, enabling the US to win the team gold for 1984.
In 1985 Abdullah won the FEI World Cup and in 1986 won the team gold and individual silver in the World Championships.
Abdullah was a breeding stallion throughout his career; a successful and popular sire of hunters, jumpers and event horses. Read more about Abdullah on Wikipedia
• PETER PLETCHER,
THE CHRONICLE OF THE HORSE
SHOW HUNTER HORSEMAN OF THE YEAR!
Texas' own Peter Pletcher riding Julie McGee Holmes' Geste, was winner of the 1991 $30,000 Madison Square Garden Hunter Classic and National Horse Show Regular Working Hunter Champion.
Peter Pletcher trains from his PJP Farms, Inc. in Magnolia, Texas, and is known not only for his hunter rider/trainer skills but also in the jumper division winning the 1991 President's Cup at the Washington International on Uncle Sam.
• "Horses, Kids & Ethics",
a new video for Youth Horse Programs released by TAMU
14 November, 1997
Texas A&M University has just released a new video entitled "Horses, Kids & Ethics." This video shares "8 Ways to Better Your Youth Horse Program." Produced in the innovative and entertaining style of Dr. Jeff Goodwin, 4-H and Youth Specialist at the University of Idaho, kids and parents alike will have fun as they learn about rules, ethics, and developing the people skills that will make your youth horse program even better. The video was produced with the cooperation of Colorado State University.
Robin Devin, Youth Director for the American Quarter Horse Association, stated after seeing the video, "Every young person and their parents who are involved in a youth horse program should see this video."
To order a copy contact:
Instructional Materials Service
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-2588
Phone: 409-845-6601; Fax: 409-845-6608
E-mail: ims@tamu.edu
Website with ordering information: www-ims.tamu.edu
"Horse, Kids & Ethics" catalog #9563
$55.00 plus 10% for shipping and handling
ALYDAR'S GROOM CONVICTED
Alton Stone had given too many conflicting reports. These discrepancies were discovered during an investigation of the bankruptcy of First City Bancorp of Houston. Eariler this month Stone was convicted by a court in Houston on 2 counts of "making false statements to a grand jury". The false and conflicting statements were made during a
the original grand jury investigation into the death of Alydar, second place to Affirmed's 1978 Triple Crown Winner.
Alydar was said to have broken his leg on the night of November 13, 1990. The regular night watchman had been told to take the night off. Stone gave conflicting versions of what happened that night at Calumet Farms and when exactly he found Alydar's injury.
Two days later the stallion had to be destoyed. He was insured for $20 million.
Calumet Farms was deeply in debt. Three weeks before the accident, First City Bancorp had threatened to foreclose. First City was calling in its loans because it was close to bankrupcy. It had failed once in 1988.
First City got their $20 million.
Calumet Farms went bankrupt in the following year.
Fisrt City failed again in 1992.
Stone is scheduled to be sentenced on September 8. He faces a possible 5 years in prison and $250,000 fine for each count. It will be appealed.
Would someone kill a famous racehorse and breeding stallion for $20 million in insurance? What makes him any different from the show jumper Charisma that George Lindemann, Jr.* had killed for a piddling $250,000 in insurance money?
The investigation continues.
*George Lindemann, Jr. was convicted of insurance fraud in 1995.
"I SMELL A RAT", the April meeting of the TAHC on the Sale Barn Exemption from EIA Regulations as reported by Pauline Singleton in the GHHC Newsletter, Vol. VI, No.3
The Texas Animal Health Commission met in early April. And I was there.
Among the items on the agenda were proposed changes to the Equine Infections Anemia Regulations (EIA, swamp fever, or "Coggins"). In January, the commissioners proposed to drop the exemption which allows sale barns to sell horses untested for EIA. Many of us had high hopes that this proposal would pass, and the exemption would be eliminated.
A strange atmosphere prevailed. As always, when the topic comes up, the Livestock Marketers Association and others affiliated with the auction industry were there in force. The meeting commenced very promptly and the EIA questions were moved from fourteenth (14th) on the agenda to first (1st) on the list.
The livestock marketing industry had accumulated approximately 2400 signatures on petitions supporting the retention of the exemption; horse industry people commenting in favor of dropping it (teh exemption) numbrerd more than 4000.
(The official TAHC press release says "Comments were split for and against this test requirement." That sounds like it was an even split, doesn't it? That 4000 signatures does not include those on the petitions which I dropped on their desk that morning. The horse marketers were out voted by a solid margin, for what it's worth. One is left to speculate why the TAHC office tries to create the impression that it was an even split.) [THD italics, not Ms. Singleton's.]
A motion was made to table the matter of the exemption indefinitely and the motion was immediately adopted by unanimous vote. (TAHC Committee) Chairman Rob Brown asked for those visitors who supported the motion to stand, and then for those opposed to stand. No doubt this exercise was pleasing to the livestock marketers. Chairman Brown indicated that public testimony would not be taken at this time, but that anyone wishing to stay until the end of the meeting was welcome to stay and say whatever he or she wished. Rusty Addison, spokesman for the horse marketers, thanked the commission profusely and advised them that by voting to table the proposal they had spared themselves four or so hours of testimony by him and his associates. Well, I will have to say that listening to them for four hours would have been a pretty grim experience.
Horse owners and the horse industry representatives were left to ponder this amazing turn of events. I strongly suspect the interference of one or more legislators with the workings of the TAHC. My hunches have been pretty accurate along these lines in the past.
Let us not forget our dear friend, Representative L.P. "Pete" Patterson, who is responsible for the sale barn exemption in the first place. I suspect this is still the root of the problem. And let us not forget that Patterson aspires to be Texas' next Agriculture Commissioner. He is opposed by Susan Combs. Remember this come November!!!
Meanwhile, after the smoke clears, maybe we can uncover more useful information about this rather bizarre retreat on the part of the Texas Animal Health Commission. There is more going on here than meets the eye.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to comment to the TAHC, whether the comment consisted of a signature on a petition, a letter, or a personal appearance. I would also encourage anyone who has not expressed his opinion to do so. The final chapter of this saga has not been written.
Pauline Singleton, EIA Committee Chair, Greater Houston Horse Council
281-421-2469; e-mail: pcsing@hal-pc.org
Texas Horseman's Directory editorial opinion: As a horse person, I am outraged with this turn of events but not especially surprised. The horse industry in Texas is being run by a "good ole boy" network that wants to maintain the statis quo; that is, they do not want to move into the 20th Century much less the 21st Century.
Horses are no longer just livestock numbers to be used and thrown away in the most profitable manner possible. The greatest majority of horses today exist for the pleasure of their owners and are more pet and companion than a livestock animal. The barnyard owner, the playday owner, the local show owner, the "A" show owner are all being victimized by these "good old boys".
If you sell a horse to your neighbor you must have proof of a negative "Coggins Test"; if you go on a trail ride or enter ANY kind of competition, be it a fair or a show, you must have proof of a negative "Coggins Test"; if you want to compete in another state you better have proof of a negative "Coggins Test" or they might not even let you into the state.
But, if you have a "ranch horse" it is exempt; if you want to run a sale barn you can sell anything you want. Then you are told to get that horse checked ASAP. What do you do if it comes back EIA POSITIVE? I want to see you try to take it back to the sale barn and then have them check ALL of the horses that were in the sale barn at the same time as that horse. You will notice that reputable horse sales at horse show facilities always require proof of a negative "Coggins Test". No horse sales will be posted on the Texas Horseman's Directory "Show & Clinic Schedule" unless they require a negative "Coggins".
Call, write, e-mail the TAHC and express your outrage. And please vote for Susan Combs in November for Agriculture Commissioner.
You can contact the TAHC at:
TAHC Equine Committee
Box 12966
Austin, TX 78711-2966
or call: 512-719-0700
or view their website at:
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us and express your opinion.
EIA Horse Regulations Set, Effective July 1, 1997
from Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), June, 1997
After six months of voluntary compliance with the EIA testing requirements, inspectors from the TAHC are ready to start checking test papers
July 1. TAHC inspectors will drop by randomly at fairs, events, rodeos, roping competitions and trail rides to ensure that all equine (horses,
donkeys, mules, asses or other members of the horse family) have been tested within the past 12 months for the viral disease EIA. Owners or
riders are to have with them either their animal's original EIA test document, called a "VS 10-11" form or a copy of the form that has a second
original signature by the issuing veterinarian. See EIA Regulations.
An EIA test within the past 12 months is also required when equine are privately sold, explained Dr. Terry Beals, TAHC executive director and state veterinarian. He said sellers and buyers can decide who will pay for the test, which runs around $20 - $25 for an accredited veterianarian
to draw and submit a blood sample, complete the necessary test record and the cost of the laboratory work.
"When equine are sold at livestock markets or at regularly scheduled horse auctions, the test is not required, but the buyer will be informed that the health status of tha animal is uncertain," said Dr. Beals. For several months, earlier this year, TAHC commissioners and an appointed ad-hoc committee representing the equine industry struggled with this issue, he said.*
"Market owners were greatly concerned about potential loss of business if a test had to be run prior to selling a horse. The business owners also worried about the expense of setting up a laboratory at the sale. The compromise worked out with the markets will require notifying the buyer that the animal is untested and a TAHC disease information sheet will be stapled to the receipt. The pamphlet urges the owner to quarantine the equine until a negative test is obtained and discusses the consequences of having an infected animal," Dr. Beals said.
"The TAHC has worked with markets to identify horse with back tags and since 1997 had been testing Texas horses at the two Texas slaughter plants that handle equine," he explained. "This testing allows infected animals to be traced back to their home premise, where additional infection may be found. Our field staff will also be checking markets for compliance with the regulations after July 1."
"More than 550 infected equine have been detected in Texas since September 1, 1996," Dr. Beals pointed out. "Of course, we're testing record
numbers of equine this year, because in the past, mostly animals going out of state or to a multi-state competition were tested. Now with
widespread testing, we're getting a clearer picture of the disease situation and finding reservoirs of infection that otherwise might never have been detected."
"Until 1997, about 80,000 Texas horses were tested for EIA each year. In the first five months of 1997, January through May, nearly 100,000 equine were tested during the EIA testing regulation "phase-in" period when voluntary compliance was requested," said Dr. Beals.
"Just looking at an equine will not tell someone if the animal is infected. In some cases, the infection causes an equine to develop fever, weight loss and severe anemia. However, many infected equine have symptoms only when they are overworked, stressed or injured, and then they may recover," he said. "Finally, there are animals that show no signs of illness. These inapparent carriers still can be instrumental in spreading infection."
"All EIA-infected animals should be considered dangerous, as they pose a threat to "clean" equine. There is no effective vaccine, treatment or cure for EIA," said Dr. Beals. "Infected equine must be permanently identified and are restricted under quarantine to their premise."
He explained that as long as infected animals stay on the premise, all other equine on the ranch or farm also are quarantined. Infected equine can be removed by having them euthanized, or having them permitted to a research center, a market for sale to slaughter or for direct shipment to slaughter. Sixty days after infected equine are removed, the remaining equine on the premise can be tested again. Dr Beals said that if those
equine test negative for EIA, the quarantine is lifted and the animals may be moved freely.
*Editorial Opinion: The TAHC sold out to the sale barns. To buy a horse at a sale barn, without it being tested is like playing Russian Roullet. If you buy a horse at a sale barn and take it home and find it tests EIA-positive do you get your money back? No one in his right mind would buy an EIA-positve horse knowingly. Then if this happens are they going to be able to track down every horse that was at the auction and where
every horse came from to find the carrier? Will people comply when they have their horse at home?
IMHO it is much better to place the same requirements on the businesses that you place on private sales. Is a professional trainer or breeder a private sale? Why must they bear the burden the other "professional sale barns" do not have to bear?
The sale barns say they would loose business to have to turn away those untested horses. They might at first, but soon the word would get around that if you wanted to sell a horse it had to be tested BEFORE it went to sale.
It is the opinion of the Texas Horseman's Directory that if you want to buy a horse DO NOT buy from any sale auction that does not require a negative "Coggins" of all equines passing through its doors. It is too big of a risk.
If you would like to express your opinion or share your ideas and thoughts on this subject with the TAHC Ad Hoc Committe write to:
TAHC Equine Committee
Box 12966
Austin, TX 78711-2966
TAHC's Ad Hoc Equine Committee Members
Chairs: Mr. Rob Brown, TAHC Chairman & Equine industry representative and
Dr. Dick Sherron, public member on TAHC commission
Committee Members: Keith Chapman, Livestock Marketing Assoc. of Texas
Dr. Doug Householder, equine specialist, Texas A&M's Extension Service
Dr. Allan Oltjen, Texas Veterinary Medical Association
Mr. Jack Aufill, Mr. Bobby Edmond, Mr. Rusty Addison, Texas Horse Marketers' Association
Mr. Jim Kelley, Texas Paint Horse Association
Mr. Jeff True, Texas Quarter Horse Association
Mr. Curtis Kidd, Texas Thoroughbred Breeders' Association
Mr. Ed Small, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers' Assocaition
Mr. Jim Short, National Cutting Horse Association
Mr. Elton Brown, Northeast Texas Horse Owners Association
Dr. Jake Sherwood, representing EIA laboratories
EIA Statisitcs
From September 1, 1996 through February, 1997 TAHC has identified 265 EIA reactors. Of these 114 (44%) were found in the southeastern region.
Here is a list of counties with the highest incidence of reactors: Harris - 27; Hardin - 26; Lamar - 14; Jefferson - 15; Liberty - 11; Tyler - 10; Brazoria - 10 Montgomery - 8.
TAHC now has its own Website. Go visit them at: http://www.tahc.state.tx.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact the Texas Animal Health Commission, Box 12966, Austin, TX 78711-2966,
or call: 512-719-0700.
Last Update: 21 September, 2011
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