The International Breeders' Meeting, which is being held at the Victoria Racing Club in Melbourne, begins this Friday, March 7. The agenda will cover such topics as the "Equine Influenza Outbreak in Australia", the "Bloodstock Industry Code of Practice-Sales Integrity Task Force Recommendations" and the "Overproduction of Thoroughbreds" particularly in Europe and the USA. The use of medications in equines will also be discussed with presentations by Ireland and Great Britain regarding the threat of withdrawal of therapeutic drugs in Europe and the USA will present a paper on the "Regulation of Steroids in US Racing." As the CTHS National President, Mr. Gordon Wilson is attending these meetings as Canada's representative and will also be making a presentation in the hopes of having Canada host the International Breeders' Meeting in 2009. (Posted March 7, 2008)
Alberta Farm Animal Care is hosting the Livestock Care Conference on Friday, April 4 in Red Deer at the Black Knight Inn. Conference speakers will be addressing such topics as, New Trends in Animal Welfare: Science Values and Education, Farm Animal Welfare in Europe, USA: Implications for Canadian Agriculture, and Livestock Care Laws, What Works? Dr. Temple Grandin will also be one of the speakers at the conference and will be making a presentation in the afternoon entitled, Are We There Yet?
The registration cost is $105.00 which includes continental breakfast and lunch. On-line registration is available at www.afac.ab.ca/conference.htm or contact the CTHS office for further information. (Posted March 10,2008)
In an article posted March 5, 2008 on www.thehorse.com, Pennsylvania has made inroads regarding the regulation of anabolic steroid use in racehorses. Over a two month period, ending in February of this year, 2,061 samples were taken with the results showing 98.9% of the samples coming back negative for anabolic steroids. This contrasts with two years ago when 600 Thoroughbreds and 600 Standardbreds were "blind" tested and 60% of the samples showed at least one steroid in their systems.
Pennsylvania will be enforcing their model rule for the regulation of steroids starting on April 1 of this year. Any confirmed positive test will result in loss of purse, $2,500 fine and a 45 day suspension. A second violation will be the loss of purse, a $5,000 fine and a 90 day suspension. If a further infraction were to happen, it would result in the revocation of an individual's racing license. (Posted March 12, 2008)
In the past we have published our foal reports in The Alberta Thoroughbred magazine. This year the Alberta foal report will be published as a page on our CTHS (Alberta Division) website. Members can find the information form to fill out for the foal report online under the forms heading at the top of the CTHS (Alberta Division) website page. We will also be mailing this information form out to all of our members along with the Consignor Contract for the 2008 Summer Yearling Sale and Fall Mixed Sale. The foal report will then be (Posted March 13, 2008)
Equine Canada Announces Exciting New Additions to its Members First Discount Program
Ottawa, Ontario-Equine Canada is always looking for ways to add value to our membership. In 2006, Equine Canada launched a fantastic group discount program titled Members First. This program offers substantial cost savings on products and services from a variety of high profile purchasing partners.
Who is a member of Equine Canada? Membership with Equine Canada is automatic once you have joined your provincial federation or nationally affiliated association.
"By using the Equine Canada Members First program, members receive fantastic discounts on items they use all the time," remarked Equine Canada President, Al Patterson. "This is an outstanding partnership for Equine Canada, and it has been a very beneficial program to our members and affiliates throughout Canada. I am pleased that is the program is continuing to grow and that our members will now have additional options to choose from."
Equine Canada Members First purchasing partners and discounts include:
- Office Depot-http://www.officedepot.ca/ -NEW!
- Up to 30 per cent discount on online purchases.
- Equine Travel Advantage-http://www.equinetraveladvantage.com/ -NEW!
- Equine Travel Advantage can pass along significant travel-related savings and benefits to you. Whether you choose to Click, Pack & GO by visiting http://www.equinetraveladvantage.com/ or call (800) 434-2235 to speak with a travel professional, you can count on Equine Travel Advantage to help plan your next vacation down to the smallest detail, stress free!
- Dodge-http://www.chryslercanada.ca/
- Equine Canada members are eligible to receive $500.00 cash allowance on the purchase or lease of select new Dodge vehicles. National and regional incentives can be used with this program.
- John Deere-http://www.deere.com/
- Agricultural equipment-Equine Canada members save up to 23 per cent off list price on select models of new agricultural farm equipment (full-time equine operations only)
- Construction equipment-discounts now available on a variety of graders and loaders
- Lawn and garden care-discounts are now available toward the purchase of a variety of John Deere equipment including select lawn and garden tractors, riding mowers, Gator utility vehicles, commercial mowing equipment and compact utility tractors
- Sherwin Williams-http://www.sherwin-williams.com/
- 20-40 per cent off paint, wallpaper, carpet and more
Taking advantage of the Members First program is as easy as calling 1-800-965-6872 and speaking with a Members First specialist.
In addition to the great savings offered by our Members First program, Equine Canada has also partnered with the following companies that will offer you perks for being an Equine Canada member.
Equine Canada Member Perks partners and offerings include:
- Choice Hotels Canada-http://www.choicehotels.ca/equine
- Discounted room rates ranging from 15-20 per cent off applicable rates at over 5,300 participating Choice locations worldwide.
- BFL Canada-http://www.bflcanada.ca/
- EC Members have access to competitive insurance rates. Products available include: Horse and Farm Insurance, Instructor Liability, Home and Automobile, Travel Insurance, and Medical and Dental Insurance
- Equine Canada BMO Mosaik MasterCard-http://www3.bmo.com/mosaik/equine
- The easiest way to give back to the equine community! Show your support at no additional cost to you!
- Reward yourself with AIR MILES®† reward miles or CashBack® points
- 5.9 per cent introductory interest rate on balance transfers & cash advances for 6 months.
- Hertz Car Rental-http://www.hertz.ca/
- Hertz offers member discounts at locations in Canada, the U.S. and around the world.
For more information on Members First and Member Perks, please visit http://www.equinecanada.ca/
About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada's equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit http://www.equinecanada.ca/. (Posted March 14, 2008)
The first meeting of the Kentucky International Equine Summit is on April 28-29 in Lexington, Kentucky. This summit will be looking at "The Wellbeing of the Competitive Horse", "The Emerging Science of Horse Breeding and "The Equine Economy in the 21st Century." For further information regarding this event please check www.keyequinesummit.com (Posted March 17, 2008)
Shirley St. Peter, wife of Alberta thoroughbred owner and breeder, Gerry St. Peter, passed away on Tuesday March 4th at the age of 73 years.
Edith Willard passed away on Tuesday, March 4th in her home near Milo, Alberta at the age of 88. Edith was the mother of chuckwagon driver, Ward Willard of Vulcan, Alberta and thoroughbred owner, Marsha Willard.
Irene Gray passed away on Tuesday, March 11th 2008 at the age of 71. Irene was the wife of long time Alberta thoroughbred trainer, Sid Gray.
Dwight McLellan passed away on Tuesday March 11th at the age of 44. McLellan was the President of the United Horsemen of Alberta as well as the organization's founder and driving force. It was his vision that has led to the proposal for the $240 million new racetrack in Balzac, Alberta.
