comment on Fear of bankruptcy forces Heath Ryan to rethink Games...

I thing this is a sad state that someone with such talent & dedication should miss out on the olympics through no fault of his own.This government should wake up to itself & offer assistance, if it wasn't for the EI out break he wouldn't be in this situation in the first place. If this was a top racing identity I'm sure the government would be giving assistance.
JB

Jockey, aged four, will be a star: stable owner

A pint-sized four-year-old jockey has landed thousands of dollars in sponsorship and has the makings of a great champion, a British stable owner says.
Somerset boy Arron Butterfield won his first riding-show prize when he was just two, and garnered more than 25 rosettes in last year’s season.
At just three feet tall (91cm), the junior jump jockey vaults fences like a professional on his mount - a Welsh mountain pony called Pickles.
Arron still goes to kindergarten during the week, before heading out with his dad and former jockey Alex Butterfield for two hours of riding each day.
In the past year, he has taken first prize in four local horse shows - sometimes beating adult competitors, and regularly beating junior riders twice his age.
Heather Collingwood who runs Brookover Farm stables, where Arron rides, is certain he will make it as top jockey.
“It’s very unusual for someone of that age to be so dedicated. He comes here every day and mucks out and has a very mature attitude. His ambition is to become a jockey. Most children his age are just happy to play with their train sets,” Collingwood said.
“Despite being the youngest at the stables, he is very confident and enjoys his riding and looking after the horse.
“He’s certainly one to put a bet on for the future. I’m certain we’ll see him on the television when he’s older because he’s so determined.”
This year Arron was awarded four different sponsorship deals worth a total of STG3,750 ($A8,213).
The money has bought a horse trailer which will bear the names of his patrons, who are local businessmen.

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Emotional toll of EI to be investigated

The equine influenza outbreak has hit the horse industry in the hip pocket and now research will uncover the toll it has taken on the heart and mind.
A study has been launched to investigate the emotional, social and psychological impact of the pandemic on horse owners, riders, enthusiasts and others connected to the industry.
The medical researchers behind the project say they suspect results will show the effects extend far beyond the immediate concerns of restricted horse movement and financial difficulties.
“So far there has been a strong focus on containing the disease, determining how it was introduced and the direct financial impact on business,” said Dr Melanie Taylor, a senior research fellow at the University of Western Sydney.
“But understanding the distress equine influenza (EI) is causing individuals is just as important.”
She said people were feeling stressed not only by the extra precautions and continuing risk of infection, but also the level of uncertainty about the future.
“There is some level of suspicion and mistrust within the community, as the news media report allegations of failed quarantined procedures actually causing the outbreak,” Dr Taylor said.
The first case of EI was confirmed on August 17, sparking a week-long industry shutdown and halting all metropolitan meetings in Sydney or Brisbane until further notice.
An inquiry under retired High Court judge Ian Callinan is investigating exactly how the illness infiltrated Australian borders.
The survey, found online at http://tinyurl.com/2qbu4s, asks industry members how effective they believe the containment procedures have been, and how distressing the EI outbreak has been for them personally. It will also address people’s response to the quarantine measures, in particular how they have coped maintaining high levels of biosecurity.

Are we or are we not the Horse Capital ?

AS construction on the multi-million dollar equine facility at Tamworth continues, the people of Scone have been left to ask the question; is Scone still the Horse Capital of Australia? It is a difficult question to answer the facts.
While Scone does boast an equine infrastructure like no place else in Australia, the fact there are no facilities, tourist attractions, or displayed memorabilia has added fuel to the whisper that Tamworth could be in contention for the title.
Despite statistics which state from the year 1900 to 2000, at least 50 per cent of champion thoroughbred stallions hailed from the Hunter Valley, Scone currently has nothing on display for visitors to see should they decide to visit the so-called Horse Capital.

However, a new steering committee consisting of Dr Judy White, Bill Howey and Scone Race Club Secretary Helen Sinclair plans to address the problem with a proposal they believe will undoubtedly re-establish Scone as the Horse Capital of Australia.
The steering committee will initially focus on creating a centre which will house a wide variety of equine memorabilia.
“We need to take action to ensure that title otherwise it will betaken away from us,” Dr White told The Advocate.
While the word memorabilia initially conjures images resembling that of a museum race Club Secretary Helen Sinclair said the proposed centre would be more of an interactive experience for people.
“We want to put together significant footage of the past and include perhaps a walk of fame similar to that of the Stockman’s Hall of fame in Longreach, Queensland.
“People could also come and watch morning track work and see all the things that do exist here but cannot presently be seen.”
One suggested location for the centre would be the site which already exists next to Scone Race Club.
The heritage centre would be modelled off already successful international examples such as the Kentucky Horse Park, and the Horse Culture Museum of China, and would represent the history, evolution and progress of the horse in Australia, as well as it’s impact on national development, identity, sport, recreation, pleasure and culture.
“There is no place that people can come to see and experience the kind of feelings we all get to have as locals. There are so many things here, but right now unless you’re told by a local you would never know,” Mr Sinclair said.
The committee plans to put forward a proposal and seek funding for the project in the near future.
“We need a dedicated person to channel all their energy into the project,” Ms Sinclair said.
“The whole point is to give enthusiasm to interested parties. This town needs to be a horse destination. People who come through here must have something to see.”

Show delivers final night thrills

The 140th Inverell Show has come and gone for another year with all who passed through the gates hailing the show as a great success.

Despite Equine Influenza taking all horse events out of the show program hundreds of competitors entered events ranging from Beaut Utes to Best Decorative Dahlia’s.
Crowds on both Friday and Saturday night were outstanding with particularly large crowds gathering on Saturday night to see the fireworks, demolition derby, State of Origin Rodeo and motorbike exhibition from Luke Holder and Nick Sutherland.
Show organisers were pleased with how understanding visitors to the show were about the lack of horses and many visitors noticed how friendly and relaxed the atmosphere at the show was.
The show was officially opened on Friday night with Georgina Marshall crowned as Miss Inverell Showgirl and Hannah Lennon coming runner-up, the State of Origin Bull Ride kicked off after the official opening with NSW emerging victorious after a tense competition spanning two nights.
NSW came away from the two nights of fierce competition with 106 points to Queensland’s 102 to take them to the next round of competition on a lead. Rodeo Steward Wayne Oakenfull said the competition was tight and kept the crowd enthralled over both nights. “NSW had an early lead on Friday night, but Queensland fought back for a really close result. “The real stars of the night were the bulls, they were incredible and there were no serious injuries which is always a plus in a dangerous sport.”
Jason O’Hearn from Cessnock won the Open Bull Ride with 89 points walking away with $2150 in prize money for his efforts. Nathan Beel came first in the Rookie Bull Ride with 83 points, Matthew Griffith took out the Open Steer Ride, with Troy Wilkinson winning the Junior Steer Ride. The kids were not forgotten in the Poddy Calf Ride with Cameron Jones coming first in the Under 7s, Olivia Adams taking out the Under 10s and Cody Hodges taking out the Under 13s ride.
The next round of the State of Origin Bull Ride will take place at Roma in Queensland on Easter Saturday with the finals .