Here and There

Last year's crisis in Kentucky with Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome sparked the creation of a new industry communication clearinghouse called the Equine Industry Task Force. The organization was established by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders. Members of the task force include representatives from the state department of agriculture, KTOB, Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Hagyard-Davidson-McGee, Gluck Center, Livestock Disease Diagnostic Centers, Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club, Kentucky Horse Council, the Standardbred industry, the University of Kentucky, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture...Equibase Company LLC has named John C. Ertmann president and chief operating officer of the Lexington, Ky.-based company. Ertmann is an attorney who has previously served in executive capacities for NBC Sports and Major League Soccer. Ertmann will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Equibase, a role Alan Marzelli has filled on a part-time basis since 1996. Marzelli will remain as Chairman of the Management Committee...Team Valor's Valordictorian Scholarship will again offer a $25,000 college scholarship to any college-bound or current college student who has a parent working with Thoroughbreds on the backstretch of a racetrack in the United States. Applicants must register at http:www.teamvalor.com by July 15 with an application and essay of up to 300 words...The 2002 class of Hall of Fame inductees will be announced April 30th in Louisville at 11 a.m. in the press box at Churchill Downs...An auction and fundraiser to benefit Betsy Wells, office manager for the Graham Motion Stable, will be held April 28 at the Mount Washington Tavern in Baltimore. Wells has recovered from breast cancer, but has now been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Some of the money raised will go to her, but a general fund has been developed for anyone needing financial helped to combat the disease. For information call Anita Motion at (310) 398-0090...The New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund has established new deadlines regarding stallion applications and registration. Effective immediately, stallion registration forms are due December 15 preceding the breeding season and the cost will remain $250. Registration forms postmarked January 1st or later will cost $500 and no registration forms will be accepted after a February 15th postmark. New stallions entering NYS will continue to have 30 days upon arrival to become registered at the current $250 level. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please call Bill McCabe at the Fund office at 212 465-0660 or email nybreds@nybreds.com...Fans of Australian racing can submit their vote for Horse of the Year in that country at http://www.racingvictoria.net.au/news/041702.htm. Currently, Sunline leads in the polling with 49% of the online votes.