FROM THE FTBOA BOARDROOM

Highlights from the regularly scheduled meeting of the board of directors of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association held on Dec. 11, 2020, include the following:

1) Due to the uncertainties in the gaming marketplace created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the board considered a proposed addendum to the 2021 Annual Plan for the Payment of Breeder, Stallion, and Stakes Awards, as previously submitted to the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering in October 2020. This portion of the meeting was open to the public for observation and comment via Zoom. In the addendum, the FTBOA proposed to re-evaluate its projected awards account balances in the spring of 2021 and, if those balances proved sufficient, to request the Division’s approval of a plan amendment to issue bonuses on previously earned 2021 awards and/or increase the awards rate for the balance of 2021. Such changes might apply to breeder awards and/or stallion awards. After board review and discussion, the board voted to accept the proposed addendum as presented.

2) The board reviewed a recently issued Independent Auditors’ Report regarding the financial statements of the FTBOA and its subsidiaries for the year ended June 30, 2019, prepared by the accounting firm of Purvis, Gray & Company, a regional accounting firm with offices in Ocala, Gainesville, Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Orlando. After the auditors’ presentation and answers to board members’ questions, the board voted to accept the Independent Auditors’ Report as presented. This Report was previously presented by the auditors via Zoom to a meeting of the FTBOA executive committee.

3) The board received a briefing from CEO Lonny Powell regarding Florida’s 2021 racing programs, Florida-bred purse supplements, and the Florida Sire Stakes program, which was covered in-depth in the Wire to Wire Racing Digest digital edition on Dec. 5, 2020. Powell reiterated the negative impact that the end of horse racing at Calder Race Course would have on awards program revenues. Powell reported to the board that the 2021 Gala will be later in the year, likely July, and will be a virtual, live presentation due to the ongoing pandemic. He noted that the tracks still have limited spectators for racing at this time.

4) In light of the need for maximum flexibility and speed in responding to sudden changes in the gaming marketplace, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the board approved a motion granting the executive committee the authority to review and approve future Awards Plan amendments if the circumstances dictate.

5) The board received a briefing from Matt Bryan (FTBOA lobbyist) regarding the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state budget. He also discussed the upcoming legislative session.

6) The board received a briefing from Warren Husband (FTBOA general counsel) regarding the cessation of horse racing under Calder’s pari-mutuel permit.

7) The board received a briefing from first vice president/charity chair Valerie Dailey on the success of the first virtual auction for Florida Thoroughbred Charities and the positive outcome of the toy drive for the Boys and Girls Club.

8) The board received a briefing from Tammy Gantt, associate vice president membership services/events, regarding membership renewals, which will be sent via e-mail instead of regular mail. The goal is to offer an online payment option for members and to reduce mailing expenses. She also highlighted board member Laurine Vargas’ event — the Florida Thoroughbred Transformational Expo -–held at the Florida Horse Park, Dec. 1113, which has grown from the previous year. ■

By CASSANDRA HUGHES

FTBOA College of Central Florida Co-op Student

This year, Florida Thoroughbred Charities awarded nine student scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic year. Each recipient is unique in the career path or goal they are striving for, ranging from education and medical fields to biology and mental health. Eight scholarship recipients are attending a university or college that is in the state of Florida. Five students are enrolled at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Two scholarship recipients are attending the College of Central Florida. One student is attending the University of Florida in Gainesville, and the final student is attending college in Alabama.

KHLOE BERG is a senior at Florida State University. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology and is on track to graduate in the Spring semester of 2021. Berg has been in the National Honor Society, on the Dean’s List and is an active member of Phi Eta Sigma, which is an Academic Honors Society. Phi Eta Sigma is the oldest and largest national honor society that encourages and rewards academic excellence achieved during the first year in college. With the hope of working in a research-based position as a wildlife biologist, she plans to attend graduate school.

CARA BRYAN is a senior at Florida State University. She is pursuing a degree in education with a specialization in special education. Bryan has been involved with academic honors recognition such as being on both the Dean’s List and President’s List at FSU. Her goal following graduation is to work as a special education teacher. She also plans to further her education and study child psychology in hopes to transfer into a field where she can work with children’s behavior and counseling.

MERARI FLORES-SALDANA is a student at Florida State University. She is in her first year of graduate school and is pursuing a Master’s degree in social work. She is expected to graduate in 2022.

BAILEY MCCRACKEN attends the University of Florida. She is a freshman majoring in Biology. She hopes to attend medical school. She will be graduating in 2024.

GRACIELLA ORTEGA is attending the College of Central Florida. She is a freshman majoring in education and would like to focus in special education. She is on track to graduate in 2022.

TANYA PIERPONT currently attends the College of Central Florida. She is a junior and is majoring in nursing. Her anticipated graduation is December 2021. Pierpont has a strong passion for giving back to her community. She plans on staying in Ocala where she was born and raised to obtain a job in the medical field and serve her community.

JADE ROBINSON graduated from Troy University on Dec. 9 with a Master’s Degree in clinical mental health counseling. She is an advocate for the mental health community. Over the course of her internship, she provided free individual and group counseling services. A granddaughter of long-time horseman Gus Gray, her goals are to achieve licensure within two years and to pursue a doctorate degree in trauma related studies.

CHANTAL RUIZ is a junior currently attending Florida State University. She is obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in family and child services. Ruiz is a member in the National Honor Society and is actively involved within her major. As a Pre-Family and Child Science major, she strives to apply her knowledge in child development to specialize in a field that treats children with behavioral, emotional and mental health disorders. Ruiz’s goal is to pursue a graduate degree in psychology to continue to learn human development and family life which drives her passion to build her community and help those who are most vulnerable throughout her career. She is expected to graduate in May 2021.

MEGAN SCHWIETERT is a medical student attending the Florida State University College of Medicine. She is a part of the National Honor Society, President’s List and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Biological Science. During her first two years of medical school she was an active member, ambassador and community outreach chair for FSUCares. FSUCares focuses on helping the underserved in the Tallahassee area and beyond. After graduating from the College of Medicine, she plans to begin her residency in the State of Florida.

The children, employees, and children of employees of an FTBOA regular member are eligible for FEC annual college scholarships to any accredited university, college or technical institution for two-to-four year programs. Scholarships are made possible through Florida Thoroughbred Charities fundraisers, the Quail Roost Foundation, endowments at the College of Central Florida and donations.

Florida Thoroughbred Charities is the charitable arm of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association. Since 1990, FTC has strengthened and supported the community by raising more than $3.5 million for charitable organizations within the thoroughbred industry, the city of Ocala, Marion County and the state of Florida.

In addition to the scholarship program, the charity primarily funds the Second Chances Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) farm at the Lowell Correctional Institution giving women there a chance to learn equine skills so they can be placed on farms for employment after release. In 2020, the farm celebrated its 20 year anniversary and is the only female inmate program partnering with retired thoroughbreds in the United States. The program has a low recidivism rate. The former racehorses each inmate works with positively change their lives.

The next FTC fundraiser is scheduled for March 2021. The Marion Cultural Alliance has partnered with FTC on the sale of an Anniversary Horse Fever public art horse statue titled Clockwork Fury. Created by artist Mark Hershberger, the piece has adorned the lawn of Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud in Reddick, Fla. They’ve generously donated the art piece, upgraded by the artist, to the charities.

A steampunk metal horse with working parts, lights and sound, the piece is perfect for any farm, business or community organization. The ‘horse’ will be sold at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales auction at the end of the first day of the March sale. ■