The registration deadline for the 2002 Texas Racehorse Conference has been extended through Monday, March 4. The conference is scheduled for Saturday, March 9, at Sam Houston Race Park. Never before has there been an opportunity to interact so closely with so many leaders of the Texas Horse Racing Industry.

The conference begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, at Sam Houston Race Park. The Texas Horsemen's Partnership, Texas Extension Service and Sam Houston Race Park sponsor the event, which will be conducted in round table format, with opportunities for personal interaction with many of the leaders of the Texas horse racing industry.

Some of the speakers and topics will include:

Mike Burleson
Deputy Director of Racing, Texas Racing Commission
The Stewards: their functions, filing an objection and complaints, the allocation of race dates and why

Dr. Kent Carter, DVM
Professor of Medicine with special interests in Equine Lameness, Texas A&M University
The Racehorse Foot: What We Now Know

Paula Flowerday
Executive Secretary, Texas Racing Commission
The Role and Function of the Racing Commission

Dr. Gary Frakes, DVM
Texas Racing Commission
Race Track Veterinarians, The Test Barn and What Comprises a Vet Scratch

Dr. Pete Gibbs, DVM
Professor and Extension Horse Specialist, Texas A&M University
How not to Feed a Racehorse

Dr. Tommy Hays, DVM
Texas HBPA Board Member and private practice veterinarian and surgeon, Elgin Veterinary Hospital
Scoping and Throat Evaluation and Corrective Surgeries

David Hooper
Executive Director, Texas Thoroughbred Association
NTRA Great State Challenge, the new Breed Back Rule, The Texas Stallion Series

Dr. Doug Householder, DVM
Former Extension Horse Specialist (1971-2001), Texas A&M University, and Groom Elite Program Instructor
The Groom Elite Program and What It Means to You

Sammy Jackson
Director of Pari-Mutuel and Auditing, Texas Racing Commission
When you place a bet, what happens to the money and how is it paid out

Eric Johnston
Racing Secretary, Sam Houston Race Park
What Every Racing Secretary Would Like Every Owner to Know

Dr. Ron Martens, DVM
Professor of Medicine and Coordinator of Equine Infectious Disease Program, Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University
The Link Equine Research and the latest technologies and research developments at Texas A&M University

Susan Martin
Director of Sales and Marketing, The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc.

Dr. C. Reid McLellan
Racing Education Manager, Sam Houston Race Park
Finding Secretariat in Racing's Haystack of Claimers (Acquiring racehorses for fun and profit through the claiming ranks)

Dr. Gary Potter, DVM
Professor of Equine Science, Texas A&M University
Skeletal Development in the Race Horse

Marsha Rountree
Controller, Texas Horsemen's Partnership
Texas Horsemen's Bookkeeper Issues

Dr. Brett Scott, DVM
Assistant Professor, Extension Horse Specialist, Texas A&M University
The Relationship of Body Condition to the Onset of Fatigue and Thermal Regulation in Training and Racing

Dr. Jeff Watkins, DVM
Professor and Chief of Large Animal Surgery, Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, Texas A&M University
The most up to date research for lifesaving joint replacements,/p>

There will be an afternoon session including:

• The Link Equine Research and the latest technologies and research developments at Texas A&M University
  Presented by Dr. Ron Martens, DVM, Texas A&M University
• Several Live horse demonstrations - "Evaluating the Racehorse Conditioning and Performance Response to Exercise Using a Heart Rate Monitor"
• Correct Bandaging and leg support for the racehorse
  Presented by Tom Woods and sponsored by 3M
• Throat and upper airway scoping

Registration fee is $60.00, which includes breakfast, lunch, and a reserved counter seat for an evening at the races; for upgraded seats, contact SHRP reservation line at (281) 807-8760.

If you did not receive a registration form by mail, or need further information please contact: Susan O'Hara at (936) 825-6984, e-mail: w.switch@tca.net or Tonya Beck or Christina Martin at THP (512) 467-9799, e-mail: cmartin@texashorsemen.com.

Please take this wonderful opportunity to participate and interact with leaders from the Texas racehorse industry at this conference. We look forward to seeing you there! Don't forget to sign up by Friday, February 22, 2002.