Equine Affaire-- A Networkers (or Shoppers) Dream

On a cold, rainy Saturday morning, with racing cancelled at my local track, I went to the Equine Affaire in Pomona, CA.

It's always fun for me to attend conventions, or events where everyone is like-minded and no more so than at "horsey" gatherings. At the Equine Affaire (like Cowboy Christmas in Vegas), there is no such thing as too much bling! I was right at home. My girlfriend that I brought along with me is from the equestrian world and clearly this was more a western crowd in attendance. This was most evident when I pointed out a gorgeous $ 6,200 show saddle covered in crystals, silver and black suede. But I digress.

Networking, networking and more networking was the key for me today, not shopping. I found several Facebook friends in attendance. I meet a gal that has a non profit in hopes of educating the public and changing the training tactics of "soreing" for Saddlebreds and other gaited horses. I met an independent filmmaker who just finished a project on the BLM wild horses. I met a woman that has created a new horse treat that is conveniently shaped with a whole in the middle to stuff whatever medicines your horse doesn't want to take in it and other interesting people (including a broker selling shares in PBR bulls!. I collected volumes of literature, magazines and brochures to read over the next couple days.

I enjoyed the Breed Pavilion, but was disappointed that I didn't get a chance to meet Lukas, the World's Smartest Horse and Karen Murdock. Nor did I see the USC Mascot, Traveller in attendance. However, I met Brian Borg's lovely miniature stallion; who was well behaved when my friend and I were invited into his stall for an up close visit.

If you are interested in meeting like minded horse enthusiasts, than the Equine Affaire is a great place to do just that. The Pomona venue ends on Sunday, with the next edition of the Equine Affaire in Ohio April 8-11th.

A Mare's Worth

The auctioneer quickly said " $ 1,000, $1,000" over and over again and over and over again I would look up at the large plasma TV screens at the Barrett's January sale and see $ 900 posted as the opening price. $ 900 meant no sale, another pregnant mare that didn't meet the minimum price. Another mare (two actually went through the ring with their foals born just days earlier), with a foal inside of her unwanted. Both born and unborn, deemed not worth the $ 1,000. needed to conclude a sale. Now I know that is probably harsh to say but that was my impression attending my first sale of mares and yearlings.

I had been told to avoid this sale. "It will break your heart Sharla", said my friend Teresa who in years past had come home with some of them, she knew no one would want. The economy has certainly dictated the price of reproduction. The breeders are feeling it, the market is feeling it and California in particular seems to be losing out.

But my thought as I sat on the rail for hour and hour was "what will happen tomorrow to these girls?" Who will care what happens to them? Do they go back to the consignor to find them a home or are they off to another sale? Is an offer outside of the minimum going to come, or will someone come up after hours and offer to take them for free?. The peril that they can find themselves in, stayed with me for several days.

I was contacted by two owners and a consignor to find homes for a yearling and five mares (three were in foal) while on the premises. Within half an hour, I had spoken to my foster in Valley Center that also breeds race horses and asked if she would take the yearling colt in for me. The answer to my surprise was "yes, sure the more the merrier". But by the time I had called back the owner, he said he had just signed the release for him. On one hand I was happy, I really wasn't in the position to take him on, but at the same time, wondered who had taken him. What would happen to him?. He is only a hip number, his name hasn't been registered with the Jockey Club, there is no way to track him that I am aware of. And more importantly, why does that matter so much to me?.

The mares too all found homes before the sun had set on Tuesday. I was surprised and a bit dumbfounded that the mares were placed so quickly, when no one offered even $ 1,000 for them in the ring. I don't want to believe that anything untoward would happen to them. I know one the consignors personally, and know how much they care and how hard they work to track their own breeding/racing stock. I heard her wistfully say " I hope I found them good homes". Time isn't on the side of these mares during the aftermath of a poor sale. At least that was the feeling I left with. In fact I left early because I sensed that I would be burdened with finding even more homes. In fact a prominent trainer said "Hey Sharla, how many horses have you been given"?

I went home that night and realized that in this economy there is an under served market in rescue/retirement for broodmares. I am aware of Our Mims in Ohio, and one in California that is trying to re-open, but pretty much beyond those two that came to mind, who takes in these mares as their mission statement?

While at the sale I heard the people giving their opinions on the different mares being offered; "I won't buy a mare that hasn't earned $ 100,000 on track", " I won't buy a mare after her third or fourth foal-- the womb isn't as strong", " I wouldn't buy a mare from that line ever", " It never makes sense to buy a mare who is going to deliver late in Spring, means I don't have time to cover her and she would be open for a year". On and On....I know it's a business, and I understand pre-conceived ideas in purchasing your mares, but it seemed that many where already off the radar hearing the comments around me before entering the ring.

The yearlings fair somewhat better, those that do not sell. An owner, farm or consignor can take them back, turn them out in the paddock allow them to continue to grow and develop and try again. But the mares, the dear mares, the ones that like all women everywhere are needed to perpetuate "the race", are tossed aside, devalued and left alone. So sad.

The Second Race will find a way to help some of these mares out next year and every year hereafter. I will have a trailer, stalls and future homes for the mares and yearlings that I know will become available before I arrive. It's the only way I know of to help those that won't meet the reserves, won't measure up and won't be wanted after the auctioneer says "$ 1,000"?