The Texas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (THBPA), which is the Quarter Horse and Minor Breed branch of the Texas Horsemen's Partnership (THP), recently elected Jim Helzer as it president for 2002.

Helzer is very active in both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing. He is a past president of the Texas Quarter Horse Association (TQHA) and currently a board member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA). Helzer and his wife Marilyn live in Arlington, Texas, where he is president of JEH/Eagle Supply. The Helzers owned and raced AQHA World Champion Refrigerator.

Helzer replaces Connie Nobles who, during the same meeting, was elected vice president of that Board for the coming year.

In other matters, the Board voted to approve new horsemen's contracts with Sam Houston Race Park and Retama Park.

The next meeting of the THBPA Board of Directors is expected to be at the beginning of the Manor Downs Quarter Horse meet.