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Once again, the blogs at R2 Collective have struck the brass ring in a link to Seth Godin’s blog. Seth Godin concludes in a post about “what will save the status quo” that nothing will preserve what was.
Change is inevitable. From the time of the caves of Lascaux with cavemen painting bison and horses on the walls, it has always been so, but there are times when the pace of change slows, allows the sturdy gallopers to forge ahead and believe they too might win the race.
Godin, however, notes that “Every revolution destroys the average middle first and most savagely.”
This is precisely the predicament of the horse business in Lexington at present. Breeding in most regional markets is fairly safe and well protected by various programs. Breeders at the top of the tree will prosper as always because the best horses are always in demand by someone.
But the breeders and the horses taking the brunt of the damage in the current economic revolution are those stallions standing for $25,000 and less in Kentucky, where there is no safety net, stallion awards program, and so forth.
The breeders who primarily support these stallions are almost entirely commercial breeders, producing good athletes for the racing venues in New York, California, Florida, and elsewhere.
We cannot reverse the change that has already come. We can, however, learn from it and perhaps find new ways to breed horses and participate in racing with greater enjoyment and success. Given the antics of politicians and the predatory behavior of neighboring states, we really have no other choice. Good luck to us all.
sidfernando said:
Go forward bravely, soldier!
Garrett Redmond said:
Wasn’t the Ky. Breeders’ Incentive Program (Financed by the tax on stud fees) intended to be a safety net? In essence, what it did was drive out-of-state owned mares to other states.
To make it worse, a crazy, mixed-up awards program.
Why not drop that nonsense. Instead pay a breeder’s bonus to every winner, anywhere, that is foaled in Kentucky and is by a KY stallion .
To make it easier, merge the 6% Fund with the KTA/KTOB program.
What are the flaws in my thinking?