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NHBPA Foundation Assists Nebraska Horsemen Impacted By EHV-1

The National HBPA Foundation, the world's largest Thoroughbred horsemen's organization, is coming to the assistance of Nebraska horsemen whose horses have been quarantined since March 10 following an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) by making a per-horse monetary donation to every owner and trainer impacted by the lockdown in two barns at Fonner Park. The Nebraska HBPA also is providing the impacted owners and trainers a per-horse amount of money to use toward expenses that continue to accrue while their horses are prevented from racing. About 110 horses, which includes a handful of stable ponies, have been impacted. Nebraska HBPA President Garald “Wally” Wollesen said about 90 horses that were potentially exposed to the virus but have negative test results are housed in one large barn, while 20 others that tested positive were moved to an arena set up with temporary stalls. Wollesen said he was told that, if all goes well, the horses in the large barn could be released from the quarantine setting later this week. All the horses originally were confined to their stalls. However, for the past week, the horses in the large barn have been allowed to go to the training track, which is restricted to those horses, and to hot-walking machines, Wollesen said. Rigid sterilization protocols overseen by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture are followed when those horses are taken from their stalls, he said. “Everyone is very appreciative of the help we and the National HBPA Foundation have given them. These horsemen haven't made a dime, but at least we helped them a little bit. Nebraska has quite a history of horse-racing fans. They started contacting me at the races and out and about, wanting to help. One gentleman bought 11 round bales of hay and delivered them to the quarantine barn. People have donated $15 to cover feeding a horse for a day. As sad as it is — and we did have to euthanize two horses — the Nebraskans have really stepped up to help.”

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Nebraska HBPA Opposes Proposals For New Racetracks

After leading the fight to bring casino gambling to the state of Nebraska, the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association spoke out against proposals for new racetracks at last Friday's meeting of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission meeting, reports the Omaha World Herald.

Specifically, the NHBPA argued that proposals to add tracks in Bellevue and York would dilute the market and weaken existing tracks.

“Building up casinos should build up the racing industry, not line the pockets of others,” said Garald Wollesen, president of the NHBPA.

Last year, Nebraska voters passed a constitutional amendment allowed casino gambling at horse racing tracks, as well as laws regulating the casinos and directing most of the tax revenue to property tax relief. At that time, Nebraska had six racetracks: Grand Island, Omaha, Lincoln, South Sioux City, Columbus, and Hastings.

The five new tracks proposed would be located in Bellevue, York, Norfolk, North Platte, and Scottsbluff.

No decisions were made at Friday's meeting, but Commission Chairman Dennis Lee promised separate hearings for each of the five new racetrack proposals.

Help Wanted: Omaha Exposition And Racing Seeking CEO

Omaha Exposition and Racing is seeking a new CEO. Explore a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help the Nebraska horse racing industry usher in the casino era. Omaha Exposition and Racing manages two racetracks owned by the Nebraska HBPA. Work for a board of directors committed to increasing live days and purses rather than shareholders' equity and dividends.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years' management experience in the racing industry, excellent customer service skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a desire to provide an entertaining product that will attract a new generation of race fans. Prefer a graduate of the University of Louisville Equine Program or University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program and/or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.

A qualified applicant can expect to be reimbursed commensurate with their experience and abilities, as well as a generous bonus structured on growth of both racing and casino operations.

The position will report to the president of the board.

Duties:

-Responsible for creating, training and maintaining a staff dedicated to ensuring successful live race meets, generating the best possible experience for our live, simulcast, and casino guests; and increasing live, export and import handle.

-Ensure track maintenance team provides and maintains a safe racing surface for our human and equine athletes as well as a clean and safe stable area.

-Work with Racing and Gaming Commission to ensure all licensure is properly maintained and that all necessary submissions occur in order to conduct live and simulcast racing operations.

-Work with racing secretary to develop and enforce stabling and racing policies that encourage and promote stables of all sizes and provide a condition book consistent with the caliber of horses on the backside.

-Ensure all employees foster a good working environment with each other and our casino partner.

-Work with state vet and stable vets to ensure all horses entered to race or preparing to work are sound and healthy.

-Work with promotions team to attract sponsorships for stakes, overnight races and backside (turn-out) awards.

-Work with HBPA and financial staff to determine purse budget and structure, stakes schedule.

-Assist in recruitment of horses and racing personnel.

-Work with Nebraska Breeders' Board to keep them informed of Breed Stakes Races, Stallion Awards, A&B Breeders' Awards and purse supplements to be distributed at OER meets.

-Any other duties as assigned.

Interested parties email resume, qualifications and references to: bobm@nebraskahorsemen.com

The post Help Wanted: Omaha Exposition And Racing Seeking CEO appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Nebraska HBPA Expects Casino And Gaming Expansion By 2022

WarHorse Gaming, LLC and the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) are working together to expand casino gaming at three racetracks in the state of Nebraska, according to KNOP News. These will include Horsemen's Park in Omaha, Lincoln Racecourse in Lincoln, and Atokad Park in South Sioux City.

WarHorse Gaming, LLC will be responsible for overall gaming operations and the Nebraska HBPA will continue to oversee all horse racing at the tracks. The two organizations are in the beginning stages of creating a timeline for the expansion and are expecting full casino operations to be up and running during 2022.

The Nebraska HBPA hopes this expansion will mean more involvement from the general public in horse racing in Nebraska, as well as more jobs and a general growth in the state's Thoroughbred industry.

“We are thrilled to partner with a world-class organization like Ho-Chunk, Inc.,” said Nebraska HBPA Executive Vice President Lynne McNally to KNOP News. “It's been a very long process getting to this point, with a lot more yet to do, but we're very much looking forward to what this will do for Nebraska.”