Business As Usual

[Dahoss]

[QUOTE=Creaghgal;4958121]
I see that the PM facility has been disabled for “banned” members.

How does one contact Dick Hertz now?

Much Respect.[/QUOTE]

One has to wonder why a website would ban someone who has been a champion for the horse. A voice for the equine population. Why that voice was silenced?

Anyone else notice since DickHertz was banned, the likes of Johnwack is no more? It appears they got what they wanted from CotH.

Horse killers/abusers 1 - Horse lovers/protectors 0

Free Dick Hertz! Free Dick Hertz! !!

[system]

[QUOTE=brightskyfarm;4958299]
and still monitoring Business as Usual at Penn National~

http://businessasusualdickhertz.blogspot.com/[/QUOTE]

I will definately be watching this blog!!
Thanks brightskyfarm for the information.

Hope everyone takes time out to attend the general meeting at Penn National. I can’t wait to hear how it goes. I hope all problems will be resolved and many questions are answered. I am sure there will be many on the hot seat that evening.

FREE DICKHERTZ!! I miss him.

[Racetrack_Jack]

[QUOTE=moe larry curly;4957789]
Let’s try this list on for size. It is very sad that it must come to this but it is now time to see if the Steph Beattie connections can account for these horses

HORSE DATE OWNER
Darn Right I Do 8/7/09 Stephanie Beattie
Stoliatsiros 3/10/09 McClay/Brown Jr.
Pitch Fork Queen 7/25/09 Donald Brown Jr.
Husker Nation 7/25/09 Stephanie Beattie
Aptus 10/28/09 Donald Brown Jr.
Classic Day 8/22/09 McClay/Brown Jr.
Regardlessly 6/14/09 Robert Cole
First King 8/5/09 Toby Roth
Indy Cate 10/23/09 Donald Brown Jr.
Nice Bridge 8/13/09 Donald Brown Jr.
Kiss of honor 8/28/09 Donald Brown Jr.
Goodson 9/12/09. Donald Brown Jr.
Scary Lynda 12/19/09 McClay/Brown Jr.
Beleave Me Now 12/15/09 Wade Glosser
Black Peony 2/19/10 Brown Jr. S. Beattie

     The time for nonsense and tough talk is over. This list, along with other special horses of interest , will be examined and discussed at the next HBPA meeting. After Ms. Beattie and Mr. Brown remove the panic lump from their throats, we will expect to hear some definitive explanations as to their whereabouts.(Sources and references will be thoroughly checked). It seems as if there will be fireworks on July 4th and on the day of the general membership meeting. I wouldn't miss it for the world[/QUOTE]

More horses for the list. Where are they now?

Iron Woman 01/13/10 Pen -Stephanie Beattie (owner)
Contrary 01/13/10 Pen
Kleber 12/03/09 Pen- Wade Glosser (owner)
Pickels Pub 12/16/09 -Lau 12-08-09 Pen Robert Cole (owner)
Stonecrest 01/16/10 Pen- Stephanie Beattie (owner)
Adventorous Spirit 01/14/10 Pen- Donald Brown (owner)
Druids Mound 02/03/10 Pen- Donald Brown (owner)
Akin 01/6/10 Pen- Donald Brown (owner)

[Lady_Counselor]

DH makes reference on his blog that it was his “boycott sponsors of COTH” that got him booted.
In the heat of the battle, he went too far.
Forums are more a benevolant dictatorship than a democracy. We forget that sometimes. You can kill the messenger if you get too caught up in the moment.
Hopefully, he’ll be back and wiser about the parameters we all have to live with.

[Racetrack_Jack]

[QUOTE=Lady Counselor;4963221]
DH makes reference on his blog that it was his “boycott sponsors of COTH” that got him booted.
In the heat of the battle, he went too far.
Forums are more a benevolant dictatorship than a democracy. We forget that sometimes. You can kill the messenger if you get too caught up in the moment.
Hopefully, he’ll be back and wiser about the parameters we all have to live with.[/QUOTE]

Well DH has fought a long hard battle and although boycotting sponsorship for COTH was not the best approach, his intent to bring the truth out and to help horses is sincere, factual and truthful. I hope he will be able to return to this forum very soon. We need you back DH…

[the_last_straw]

I can’t wait to hear the voices at the HBPA meeting, taking a stand for the rights of the horses. I, for one, would hope that those leading the effort to find a suitable retirement facility and plan, would have been putting these same practices to work in their own barns. If not I would have to label them as unqualified and not dedicated enough to the purpose to lead the project. From what I’m hearing, we should have a good idea of where they stand or should I say how they have stood, by the end of the general membership meeting.

As a voice of the little guy, I would hope that my outfit would be treated the same as any powerful barn on this backside. I have always had the feeling that the HBPA stood behind my general rights as a horseman. But lately I just get the feeling that a certain privileged few, have been able to put themselves above the rules and don’t want to answer for their actions. If Steph can’t provide the specific details of how she has been retiring her horses then I don’t want her representing me nor do I feel she has any right to lead a developing program outlining how we retire our horses. There are enough double standards in this business without us cheapening this cause by creating yet another one. And for purpose of clarity I’m only willing to hold her to the same standard that I expect myself to keep

[FalseImpression]

@Laurierace;4957930

Only board members get to vote on any subject except for electing the board members obviously so unless you are on the board you will have to wait for your chance to vote them out of office. Even board members do not vote on anything at the general membership meetings however so you can get your point across but there won’t be any action on it until the next board meeting.

What does this really mean about the “voices for the horses” at that meeting? Will there be pro-horses board members who are willing to speak up? Or is it going to be just a meeting of the “clique”?

[Laurierace]

I have no idea what the meeting will be like. I haven’t attended one in several years since I live in Maryland now. Its generally a matter of the president or the executive director saying whatever it is they plan to say that night and then open up the floor. No one will be forbidden from speaking their mind as long as its keeps a professional tone.

[FalseImpression]

Thanks. Let’s hope somebody does keeping the emotions out of it. But it is hard when such beautiful horses are concerned…

[vandian]

hbpa meeting

I’m bringing all my plants to the meeting, there will be sooo much B.S. they are sure to thrive. I hear anything I know is not true they are all gonna hear about it. Hope I can contain my decorum.

[FalseImpression]

Hoping you can check your emotions at the door and be very professional… Good luck!

[Racetrack_Jack]

[QUOTE=FalseImpression;4964214]
Hoping you can check your emotions at the door and be very professional… Good luck![/QUOTE]

Could someone please clarify who is and is not permitted to attend this meeting. Is it for members only?

[sdlbredfan]

I just found a great blog!
http://businessasusualdickhertz.blogspot.com/

[KBEquine]

[QUOTE=Racetrack Jack;4964391]
Could someone please clarify who is and is not permitted to attend this meeting. Is it for members only?[/QUOTE]

Good question.

My invitation says:

PA HBPA

General Membership Meeting, Mon., July 12, 2010, 7 p.m. (emphasis added)

The agenda includes: Pension, TCO2 testing, Horse Adoption

I don’t see anywhere where folks who aren’t members & didn’t get the invitation will be admitted - or invited to express their opinion.

Like it or not, it is a private meeting, on private property.

While I am all for standing up for the horses who do their jobs, I need to paraphrase a trainer I admire (because I’m not able to quote him exactly) -

He was at a horse show or race where a lot of people observed another trainer abusing a horse. When asked whether he would step in & show that other trainer a ‘better way’ he refused.

His reasoning -

[INDENT]If I step in & publicly show the trainer a different way & it works, I’ve helped that one horse for that one day.

But I will have embarrassed that trainer.

What do you think will happen to that horse in private, when the trainer gets him home?

What do you think will happen to that trainer’s other horses?[/INDENT]

Stepping away from that trainer’s quote, my personal fear is that a huge ‘show of force’ at this meeting will have the opposite effect of what the folks who want to help the horses intend.

If there is a heavy-handed show-of-force at this meeting, what do you think will happen to those horses, in private?

I don’t disagree with trying to get information on those missing horses. But I think a calm & focused member of the PA HBPA should be the only one doing the talking.

For the sake of the horses not yet on that list.

Clearly, this is just one person’s opinion. But I needed to say it. (Thanks for listening, even if you don’t agree.)

[judybigredpony]

We will be well represented inside the meeting, there is little doubt about that.

I know at least one highly regarded trainer who follows our posts daily and is in agreement.

We need to remember while Penn made a rule regarding sale to slaughter of horses. It is/was a “rule” only they can selectively choose to enforce.

No actual law was broken by the owner or care givers. How a person chooses to dispose of their own property is their right unless they break a law.

Correctly applied pressure does a much better job than one nose blooding punch.

We all saw that after Dickie caved under and made a reckless uppercut in a heated moment.

Unless you all wish to contact a trainer and go to Penn and apply for an owners license, sitting in the parking lot is as close as you will get.

Unless someone inside chooses to sit with their cell phone turned on to speaker we will have to wait for a transcription to be posted.

[SwtVixen]

I have to agree with KB and judy …
No matter who can and cant attend this meeting, the road to success is not a head-on collision. This HBPA board and connected members (front office too) is well embedded in favors owed…and many have already been called in a few times. Thus the fact that the policy has NOT been enforced
---- as much as its plainly obvious thats due to those involved…
-----again, the KNOWN fact that if it were someone on the outside of this clique…or someone this cliquie wanted to dispose of/for self or favor… it would have been enforced Immediately.
----- the Fact that they choose to display this power is a clue that they intend to continue Business As Usual No Matter What!
Im sure the sediments of this thread, and those who hold these goals dear, will be represented… but again, when dealing with those who hold the power of being an accuser, the DA, the jury and the judge … very little proper conduct can be expected.

  Yes, its frustrating..and appalling --- that's what was the driving force behind the conception of this thread. Reform, change, and the enforcement of such are whats needed, sadly though... addressing one problem at a time will be much the moot point, and lost in the fray of non-productive finger-pointing.

     For those who are interested in maintaining contact with Dick Hertz...again, heres his link..

http://businessasusualdickhertz.blogspot.com/
Im sure your attendance on his blog will answer any questions and offer suggestions of showing your support.

[SEPowell]

The best thing you could do for racing thoroughbreds is to begin an organized campaigne to get slots money allocated for aggressive testing after races. To be most effective it would have to be a grass roots effort involving trainers, jockeys, owners, bettors and vets. Your would need a long term plan with specific and sequential goals as well as a strategy for effectively communicating with the racing commission. It would be best to work within the framework already created by RMTC.

I’ve been unable to think of any other way to create an environment where these horses have half a chance to end their racing careers sound and where bettors can have some degree of confidence in racings’ integrity.

Without this kind of structure some new nightmare of a trainer will eventually step in to fill the shoes of every bad trainer who manages to get him/herself kicked out of racing.

[Racetrack_Jack]

[QUOTE=KBEquine;4964592]
Good question.

My invitation says:

PA HBPA

General Membership Meeting, Mon., July 12, 2010, 7 p.m. (emphasis added)

The agenda includes: Pension, TCO2 testing, Horse Adoption

I don’t see anywhere where folks who aren’t members & didn’t get the invitation will be admitted - or invited to express their opinion.

Like it or not, it is a private meeting, on private property.

While I am all for standing up for the horses who do their jobs, I need to paraphrase a trainer I admire (because I’m not able to quote him exactly) -

He was at a horse show or race where a lot of people observed another trainer abusing a horse. When asked whether he would step in & show that other trainer a ‘better way’ he refused.

His reasoning -

[INDENT]If I step in & publicly show the trainer a different way & it works, I’ve helped that one horse for that one day.

But I will have embarrassed that trainer.

What do you think will happen to that horse in private, when the trainer gets him home?

What do you think will happen to that trainer’s other horses?[/INDENT]

Stepping away from that trainer’s quote, my personal fear is that a huge ‘show of force’ at this meeting will have the opposite effect of what the folks who want to help the horses intend.

If there is a heavy-handed show-of-force at this meeting, what do you think will happen to those horses, in private?

I don’t disagree with trying to get information on those missing horses. But I think a calm & focused member of the PA HBPA should be the only one doing the talking.

For the sake of the horses not yet on that list.

Clearly, this is just one person’s opinion. But I needed to say it. (Thanks for listening, even if you don’t agree.)[/QUOTE]

Thank you for the clarification that it is for members. It appears to me that anyone that is a member of the organization has a right to speak and ask any questions that they feel are necessary or pertinent. The President of their organization, including certain board members who’s horses whereabouts are a mystery should be asked and show proof of where those horses are and that they are safe. Members have a right to hold their President and board to a high degree when it comes to representing their interests and the way they treat and retire their horses.

[WhaWhaWhat]

Will the lovable Donald L. Brown Jr be at the meeting spewing his normal BS?

[moe_larry_curly]

I hope that the meeting does take on a respectful tone. I have seen references to Donald Brown on this site as the short fat man in black and little dweeb in black on this site. I feel that these phrases are inappropriate and should not be used in this forum or at the meeting. However I also want to firmly state that horsemen should not let Donny Brown sidetrack the discussion by minimizing the relevance of how he and Steph have retired their horses in the past. How can we expect them to properly manage a retirement program for our horses when they can’t even give an explanation for how they have retired theirs in the past? Forgetfulness and convenient memory loss are no excuse. Do not be deterred or sidetracked by the antics of these master manipulators