The National Barrel Horse Association has announced via release that it has joined 40,000 members of United Florida Horsemen in opposition to the pari-mutuel barrel racing application submitted by the Gretna North Florida Horsemen’s Association
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The parties in opposition to the GNFHA application have stated that they believe the group is merely trying to abuse a loophole to ultimately allow it get the go-ahead for a poker room.
The United Florida Horsemen include the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (5,000 Florida members); the American Quarter Horse Association (7,163 Florida members); the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association (439 Florida members); the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (630 members); and the U.S. Trotting Association (25,000 members).
“We have provided the people of Florida a place to compete and win money and prizes for years without the benefit of betting,” NBHA Southeastern Director Paul Stanley wrote in an October 12 letter to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Ken Lawson. “The NBHA promotes a family atmosphere at these events and feels there is no place for betting where there are children competing.”
The NBHA estimates that a majority of its competing members are under 18 years of age.
To read the release in its entirety, click here.