The Board of Directors of the Texas Thoroughbred Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association met on Tuesday, January 24. Among the business at the meeting was the election of new officers for 2004. Larry Christopher was elected president, while outgoing president Terry Blanton was elected as vice president. David Arnold was chosen as secretary-treasurer.

In addition, the TTHBPA board named its three 2004 representatives on the Texas Horsemen's Partnership's management committee. Those chosen were Larry Christopher, Terry Blanton, and W. Bret Calhoun.

Other members of the 2004 TTHBPA board include former president and National HBPA President John O. Roark, outgoing Vice President, Susan O'Hara, outgoing Secretary-Treasurer Tom Durant, Arabian Special Director Mike Furr, Dr. John Locke, and Danny Pish.

Larry J. Christopher is the owner and president of Northcutt Woodworks, L.P., a molding manufacturing business in Crockett, Texas. Christopher is first appointed to the TTHBPA board in 2002 because of the wisdom and leadership qualities he had previously exhibited as chairman of the Texas Racing Commission, and he was reelected to the TTHBPA Board in 2003.

Christopher was appointed to the Texas Racing Commission (TRC) in 1995 by former governor and current president, George W. Bush. Later that year, he was chosen to serve as chairman of the Commission, where he served in that capacity until his term expired in 2001. During Christopher’s tenure on the TRC, that agency made many improvements in the rules and regulations that affect horsemen. He was also at the forefront of the movement that required Manor Downs to comply with the law and offer racing opportunities for Thoroughbreds. Additionally, Christopher has been on the Board of Regents at Stephen F. Austin University, and he was on the Board of Directors of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) from 1999 until 2000.

In 1996, Christopher purchased Park Hill Farm and began a breeding operation. The first horse foaled at Park Hill was Nanie’s Dinner, who won the Texas Thoroughbred Association's Champion Three-Year-Old Filly title in 2000 and the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s Champion Older Mare title in 2001.

After his term expired on the TRC and a replacement was named in 2001, Christopher began racing his Thoroughbreds in Texas. Currently, he has six broodmares in addition to raising, racing and selling foals. His horses have raced at the Fair Grounds, Lone Star Park, Louisiana Downs, and Sam Houston Race Park.

Christopher’s goals have been to improve the quality of Texas breeding and racing stock and to keep Texas racing equal to, or better than, our adjoining states. He is a strong advocate and proponent of legislation that will give Texas horse racing the tools necessary to offer the highest purses in the country.