LEVY TO FUND COST OF E I

It is iniquitous that legislation to levy the horse industry to fund the 80% cost of E I is being rushed through before the result of the Callinan enquiry will be known. Any levy should be fair & equitable - so a levy on all service fees from all shuttle stallions for both 2008 & 2009 seasons would be an excellent starting point, followed closely by levy on all Thoroughbreds sold at auction in 2008/2009 financial year, and a levy on all prizemoney won by Thoroughbred racehorses in the 2008/2009 year. The taxes payable on the government grants and CHAPS payments should go directly to the fund and not to general revenue. The levy on registration of equestrian horses is OK but some horses are multi-registered so they should only have to pay once. There are plenty of people whose horses are not registered so they won't pay anything. There should be a levy on all horses slaughtered at meatworkds retrospective to 25 August and continuing to the end of 2008. I would be willing to bet however that there won't be any levies on shuttle stallion fees, Thoroughbred auctions or prizemoney on races.
Sally Pinnington, Gold Coast

Media Advisory Regarding the 2008 Rolex Kentucky CCI****

Laine Ashker's horse Frodo Baggins was humanely euthanized after sustaining serious injuries as a result of a fall on the cross country course on Saturday, April 27. The entire eventing community is deeply saddened by the loss of this incredibly brave horse.

Laine was also injured in the fall. She was immediately attended to and is receiving the finest medial care available at the University of Kentucky emergency center. As of Sunday, April 28 at noon, she is in guarded condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her entire family.

In a separate incident Sarah Hansel's horse The Quiet Man sustained a serious shoulder injury as a result of a fall. The Quiet Man was humanely euthanized Sunday morning as a result of the fall. Sarah sustained minor injuries and didn't require hospitalization. The absence of this lovely horse is a tremendous loss to the entire sport of eventing.

Family Statement for Laine Ashker

First and foremost we'd like to thank everyone - Laine's friends, fellow competitors, fans and organizers - for all of the incredible support and well wishes sent our way. Given the sheer magnitude of Laine's fall, we have a great deal to be thankful for. The good news is there was no injury to either the brain or spinal chord. While Laine suffered multiple injuries, including a badly broken jaw, broken ribs and clavicle, the main concern is with her collapsed lungs. She is progressing normally and is currently in reasonably stable condition in the ICU unit at the University of Kentucky Hospital. We appreciate your continued support and heart felt prayers.

Laine's Family

Click here to go to the 2008 Rolex Kentucky CCI****

Alarm at buy now, pay later plan for dogs, cats

PET stores are offering cats, dogs and other species for sale on payment plans.

Animal rights campaigners say the trend towards buying pets on layby will swell the number being abandoned or consigned to pounds, where there is a high risk that they will have to be put down.

Pets World is one NSW chain offering animals on payment plans.

Under the terms of the agreement, customers pay a 40 per cent deposit and the remainder over six months. They cannot bring the pet back or obtain a refund if it runs away or dies - nor are they entitled to compensation if the animal falls ill outside the 30-day "health guarantee".

Derek Knox, a volunteer with the charity CatRescue, said: "This is the dumbest and most socially irresponsible thing we have ever seen.

"If a person can't afford the full cost of the animal in the first place, how are they going to afford the food, the upkeep and the vets' fees?

"These animals are sold before they have been de-sexed, so there is also the risk that they will have kittens or puppies because the owner cannot afford to have them desexed, adding to the numbers that will end up being dumped."

Mr Knox said more than 60,000 healthy animals were killed every year in NSW pounds.

Karen Schlieper, supervisor of the RSPCA's Sydney animal shelter, said: "We are hugely concerned. A lot of pet store purchases are made on impulse and if people are offered this type of payment plan, there is a big risk that those who can't afford a pet will be enticed into buying one."

But Pets World director Jamie Buttigieg said: "The payment plan is interest-free and offers our customers an alternative from paying by credit card or cash or cheque.

"We take our responsibilities extremely seriously," he said.

Country Shows 2008

I have recently competed at Orange, Wellington and Dubbo Ag Shows and i am very dissapointed to see that the Numbers of Hacks Galloways and Ponies is down compared to recent years.
Has the EI affected these shows more than we thought.
I was ready and raring to go but it seems alot of the usual competitors were absent.
Anyone else got any thoughts.......
Maybe the cost of fuel has turned people away or have alot of people realised a life beyond horses during the EI?
D.