After great internal deliberation I decided to not run for a position on the board of directors for the Thoroughbred Owners of California. I was really considering it because I thought I could make a real difference for the game. I was willing to go above and beyond but the reality is I am "under exposed" and would have "no chance" in the voting process, or so I was told. Here's the skinny (pun intended):In doing due diligence for the position I spoke to and emailed a lot of different people ranging from owners, trainers, to an industry leader (NTRA CEO Alex Waldrop: Yes, he answers his e-mail). Pretty much everyone said the same thing, I didn't have enough "exposure". And they all said, "you would not win". Period. Final answer? Final answer, Regis. I spoke to them about some ideas I had in getting more votes but they all where quite firm. No chance. Nada.
As they explained voting for the TOC Board of Directors "primarily involves name recognition". Well when you look at the incumbents and their accomplishments you see things like, "owner of Grade-1 horse X" then its pretty hard to compete. As one owner explained to me voters (CHRB licensed individuals) assume that because someone owned a Grade-1 horse then they must know how the business works. Do they? Just because someone purchased or claimed a horse that turned out great doesn't mean they are good for a management position. Maybe the horse won because the trainer did something amazing? Or maybe the horse just had a once in a lifetime performance? We all know the game is a lot of luck.
What the sport really needs are people who are willing to put the time in and make the effort to improve things. The old roll up your selves type who make compromises on major issues, push for change, and put the the sport's welfare first over personal issues. Right now I feel like the board is a "Who's Who" not a "Does Do" group of individuals. Why should someone who wants to really make a difference have to be locked out because they aren't well do to horse wise?
Fortunately positions come available every year. So maybe in twelve months things will be different concerning my amount of "exposure". It's a quirky game; so you never know.
As always... PERSEVERANCE!
2 comments:
Great Post!
I really think the sport does need more exposure, true, but it really has to be thought out better. As a student of public relations and advertising, I can say that the campaigns performed by the powers that be have been either poorly executed or poorly informed. Let's hope that the next generation, the one I hope to be a big part of, is allowed to progress through this industry earlier and make some great, needed changes when it comes to exposure.
M.H.
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately racing right now is comprised of the old guard. They have been in place for a long time and they like things the way they are -- 1979. The unforunate reality is that when the guard finally changes there won't be much left for the next generation to work with. All we can hope for is some kind early retirement or that the powers that be make an abrupt turn before its too late.
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