Indiana Standardbred Advisory Board Meeting Notes

Date: August 31, 2007

Please note: These are NOT official minutes of the Indiana Standardbred Advisory Board meeting.  They are notes developed by our representative attending the meeting.

The Indiana Standardbred Advisory Board met on Friday, August 31, 2007, at Indiana Downs.  Chairman Scott Snyder called the meeting to order a little after 1:00 p.m.  Snyder, along with members Dwayne Rhule and Randy Dever were present.  Pam Cross, Byron Hooley, and Tim Graber were not in attendance for the meeting.

The first matter of business was approval of the minutes from the January 6, 2007 (tabled at June 18 meeting) and June 18, 2007, meetings.  These were approved unanimously, as written.  The meeting then progressed to the other items included on the agenda.

The Board was planning to elect the remaining officers for the year, to serve along with Chairman Snyder.  Both a Vice-Chairman and Treasurer were to be elected.  Moreover, the Board decided to table election of those positions until all their members could be present to take part in the voting.

Discussing the 2008 Indiana Stallion Directory, a couple of important topics were addressed.  Registration guidelines, as well as advertising for the directory, were both given much discussion.

A part of registration guidelines, the possibility of changing the Indiana statute to allow dual hemisphere stallion duty for Indiana stallions was considered.  Snyder noted some stallion owners are expressing an interest in making this option available.  He then asked for discussion among those at the meeting.

Dwayne Rhule was the first to offer his thoughts.  Having been to the other hemisphere and seen their stock, he said he sees how it may be a benefit to Indiana.  He said he believes it could work, but had a question about the timeframe for requiring stallions to stay in Indiana.

Snyder replied there had been no specific time mentioned, other than after the Indiana breeding season is closed.  The wording could be written to make the stallions remain here until then.  He noted the end of our breeding season is usually around July 15 each year.  Nationally, he added, it is about July 4.  Depending on the farm, it can be a little later.

Rhule also asked if the registration for horses conceived while in the other hemisphere would be noted as such.  For example, New Zealand horses have an “N” on their registration, while those from Australia bear an “A”.  Jessica Barnes, Director of Standardbred Racing – IHRC, assured him it would be tagged appropriately.  Such notation would ensure no confusion of eligibility would arise at a later date.

Jeff Edwards then asked Snyder about the pros and cons of stallion’s serving dual hemisphere breeding duty.  Speaking from experience, Snyder noted the owners of Hi Ho Silverheels, who he had managed at Viking Meadows Farm, had expressed an interest in breeding the stallion in both hemispheres.  When his clients had been discussing the option, Snyder said he did not know it was not allowable in Indiana until he researched the subject. 

Snyder added he feels it may be hard on the horse.  The increased travel and stress would likely increase the horse’s risk of getting hurt, as well as impact fertility.  Moreover, Snyder said he believes the option of standing a stallion in both hemispheres is not something the Board should dictate.  In his opinion, it should be a concern of the stallion’s connections.

Further, Snyder stated this option may allow Indiana to have access to a higher quality stallion because more money could be generated in stud fees.  The stallions available may be a step up from those currently available in Indiana, but not upper end stallions.  Snyder said, “It is all about economics.  Hopefully, it would result in better stallions for the state.  There are risks, but there could also be benefits.”  He added he feels the option should be out there if the connections of a stallion would like to pursue it.  It would have no negative ramifications for the state.

Gary Wilcox added a few comments, comparing the changes coming to Indiana as Wal-mart versus a “mom and pop store”.  He said only the bigger operations can afford to get a stallion for such an endeavor.  Stacey Ruddick added this may not necessarily be the case.  She said it would be possible for several small breeders to pool their money to acquire a top stallion and own shares.  Then, they would all have the opportunity to breed to the horse.  Ruddick stated, “In Indiana, so many people think they need to own their own stallion to breed.”  In reality, they should breed to the best stallion they can afford.  However, she cautioned that, with the syndicate option, the problem would be disputes among those involved as to where the horse would stand, etc.

Jack Holton then asked for an estimate of the number of horses predicted to be used for dual hemisphere stallion duty.  Snyder’s response indicated the number would likely be 5 or less stallions.

Going back to Wilcox’s comments about a large versus small operation, Snyder stated, “Gary’s point is well taken, but we need to think about it from a regulatory standpoint.”

Wilcox then clarified his stance on the issue under discussion.  He said, “If a many wants to buy a stallion, he should be able to do with him whatever he wants.”  Further, he said his comments were not stated to lead the Board to make a decision to keep them from allowing the dual hemisphere breeding.  In fact, he said he thinks they should allow it.

Barnes then informed those at the meeting she had reviewed the stallion registration rules of other slots states.  Samples of the rules and forms from Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario were all provided.  All those she examined do allow the stallions to be used for dual hemisphere breeding.

Snyder then urged the Board to make it simple, whatever decision is made.  He said, “The dynamics of our breeding options will start changing as the purse structure changes.”  His concern was implementing too many rules, making it very complicated.

Randy Dever then offered his thoughts.  Dever said as long as the connections of the stallion abide by the rules pertaining to the Indiana breeding season, he does not have a problem with the issue.

The Board then deferred to Barnes for the wording modifications needed to allow this change.  After noting the change could be made, the Board voted unanimously to allow Indiana stallions to serve dual hemisphere stallion duty.

The second part of the subject of registration guidelines dealt with stallion ownership.  In the past, Indiana has required all stallions to be at least partially Indiana owned or leased.  Snyder told the board there has been discussion through the Indiana Horse Racing Commission that this requirement be changed.  He indicated he has discussed this with Barnes at great length.  In Snyder’s opinion, there is not necessarily a need for this requirement and it could be changed.

Snyder then shared some of his experience as the farm manager at Viking Meadows Farm.  At the Carmel, Indiana, farm, they leased the stallions.  As part of the lease, the farm received a percentage of breeding revenue.  The amount was based on the cost of maintaining the horse throughout the year.  He said he feels it comes down to what the farm has to have to make it work.  Snyder stated, “It is a technicality to force Indiana ownership or leasing of a stallion.  Removing this requirement makes things simpler for those wanting to stand stallions in Indiana, and also for Jessica (Barnes).”

Barnes then shared some input she had received from a breeder at a recent Indiana yearling sale.  Loren “Short” Raber told Barnes it would help his operation to remove this requirement, because it may allow him to solicit a better stallion.

In discussing the current requirement, Barnes said she sees the leases, but has no way of knowing if the requirements or terms of the lease are met.  She agreed that the modification would make it simpler.

Snyder then looked to the future, noting the Board will have to address assigning penalties, etc. for not following the rules as outlined.  It is something they will undertake when it comes time for establishing penalties and punishments, likely at their next meeting.  Rhule asked to have a template of what is being done in other states to help guide them in the process.

A motion was then made by Snyder to remove the wording for the Indiana ownership or lease requirement.  When put to a vote, it passed unanimously.

Following the agenda, the next topic for discussion was advertisement for the upcoming Indiana Stallion Directory.  Barnes gave a brief history of the advertisements in past editions.  She said, in the beginning, there had been little interest in placing ads in the reference tool.  As a result, they had entered into a “zero dollar contract” with Tim Konkle (Hoosier Horse Review) to get advertisements.  Under this contract, Konkle was allowed to keep all the money from selling the advertisements, but received no compensation from the state.

This year, they were considering another option.  The stallion owners will have the opportunity to purchase advertising space through the IHRC.  Then, each individual will have to submit their own camera-ready advertisement to insert into the space purchased.  This would allow them to utilize the services of outside sources to create their own ad, instead of being locked into a specific vendor.  Since most stallion owners advertise elsewhere, the advertisement would have a dual use.  As part of this change, the advertisements must be paid in advance and would be available on a first come, first serve basis.  In other words, whoever pays first will get the spot requested.

A motion was made to change to this advertising format, which was approved unanimously.

The next item on the agenda was discussion of input to the Indiana Standardbred Breed Development Advisory Committee on future changes.  Snyder asked the Board if they want to take a stand or make a decision for specific input.  Noting it is still early, Snyder said it is a decision they do need to think about making.

Rhule pointed out any input should be provided well before the deadline established by Breed Development, not at the IHRC meeting where it is discussed.  Recalling similar instances from the past, he noted, “That is ineffective.”  Others noted it was also unprofessional.

Snyder then clarified it is not necessary for the board to offer group input, although it is certainly welcome from individual members of the Board.  Moreover, he noted they can offer a group opinion if there is something they feel needs addressed in such a manner.  No final decision was made in this matter.

Barnes then shared some upcoming dates of significance.  She said the next set of Indiana Sires Stakes finals will be held on October 13, at Indiana Downs.  In addition, the 2007 Indiana Awards Banquet is scheduled for February 9, 2008, at Hoosier Park.  The USTA District 2 annual meeting will be held the same day.  No future meeting date for the Indiana Standardbred Advisory Board was established.  Barnes noted the Board members would be consulted for availability.  After a date is determined, the meeting will be publicized.

As the meeting was coming to an end, Wilcox offered some final thoughts.  He said, “Since the (Indiana Standardbred) Advisory Board controls the Indiana Sire Stakes, you should have more control over where the events are placed on the racing calendar.  They should not be handed over to the race secretary for placement of convenience.”  Wilcox urged the Board to keep more control over the dates and their placement next year.  He said we should not simply do what is best for the tracks.  Instead, we should do what is best for the horses.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.  The next meeting date will be established at a later time.