Austin, Texas (November 11, 2002) - Members of the Texas Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association were sent ballots this week to vote for individuals to serve on the organization's Board of Directors. Anyone who started a quarter horse in the past 12 months is considered a member and is entitled to vote in this election.

The membership will be selecting two owner candidates and one trainer candidate to serve for a three-year term. The candidates this year are as follows:

Owner Candidates

Ted Abrams (Incumbent)

Ted Abrams lives in Houston, Texas where he is the President of Abrams Technical Services, Inc., a contract employment services company that specializes in providing engineering and construction personnel for contract technical positions in the energy industry. Mr. Abrams is a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association and serves as an AQHA Race Committee Member. He is also a lifetime member of the Texas Quarter Horse Association, is currently serving as a Board member of the Texas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and has previously served on the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership Management Committee.

In 1976 Mr. Abrams became an active owner running quarter horses. Over the years Ted has become involved with breeding and sales, producing many quality futurity, derby and stakes horses for the industry. Mr. Abrams has enjoyed running at all racetracks in Texas as well as, California, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

Ted is a successful businessman with a proven track record for making informed decisions, providing commitment and focus to all endeavors he pursues. “My goal is to see the pari-mutuel industry in Texas raise the purse levels for the horsemen to a competitive level by providing the industry with new outlets for revenue and raising the horsemen’s awareness with increased industry participation,” stated Abrams.

Bobby Joe Barnett

Bobby Barnett was born and raised in Austin, Texas and currently resides in Elgin. Mr. Barnett is the owner/operator of Austin Southwest Roofing and Austin Southwest Self Storage. Bobby enjoys and has played college football and tennis.

Bobby loves to ride horses and enjoys going to the racetrack to watch his horses win! He is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Texas Quarter Horse Association.

In 1972, Mr. Barnett purchased his first race horse and ran at the Gillespie County Fair before pari-mutuel was legalized. It was not until 2000, when he claimed his favorite horse “Plataoro” that he was able to once again pursue his passion and truly get involved in the horse racing industry. Bobby and his wife Deeanne currently have 7 quarter horses in training, which have run at Delta Downs, Lone Star Park, Manor Downs, Retama Park, Sam Houston Race Park and Ruidoso Downs. The Barnett’s intend to become involved in breeding when their mares are retired from racing.

“My goals include helping in whatever way possible to keep the spirit of horseracing alive.” said Mr. Barnett.

Manuel "Bebe" Gonzalez, Jr.

Manuel “Bebe” Gonzalez was born in Edcouch, Texas and is an owner and breeder at his SA Ranch in Alamo, Texas. Mr. Gonzalez is the President of GAT, Inc., which is a produce greenstock shipper and he also is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Texas Quarter Horse Association and Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association.

Bebe has over 35 years of experience as he began racing horses in Texas in 1966 at match races and from there he went on to non pari-mutuel racetracks. Mr. Gonzalez has started horses at the Gillespie County Fair, Lone Star Park, Manor Downs, Retama Park and Sam Houston Race Park. Bebe greatly enjoys his family, golfing, hunting and race horses.

Mr. Gonzalez feels, “Everyone should have a fair and full race schedule in Texas, and if elected I will strive to represent the owners and breeders effectively and encourage Texas racing to continue to grow to bigger and better opportunities.”

Darrell Hooper (Incumbent)

Darrell L. Hooper was born in Madisonville, Texas and today lives in Carrollton, Texas with his wife Connie. Darrell works on oil well pressure control equipment for Halliburton Energy Services as a Quality Assurance Engineer. Mr. Hooper currently serves as a Board member on the Texas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

Darrell started out as a hot walker in 1966 over 35 years ago and worked his way up the ladder to a groom, exercise rider, jockey, and finally owner and trainer. He has started horses at Lone Star Park, Manor Downs, Remington Park, Retama Park, Sam Houston Race Park and Trinity Meadows. In addition to his love for horse racing Darrell enjoys golfing.

Mr. Hooper has enjoyed serving on the THBPA Board of Directors and says, “If I am blessed with being re-elected, I would diligently continue to serve in the best interests and wishes of all horsemen throughout the state.”

Trainer Candidates

L.R. "Tooter" Jordan

Born in Poteet, Texas, Tooter Jordan and his wife Geri currently reside in New Braunfels, Texas where he trains on their farm and at Texas racetracks. Tooter started out in the horse racing industry in 1961 as a jockey and from there went on to become a trainer and owner. He has over thirty years experience as a trainer.

Mr. Jordan has been approved by the American Quarter Horse Association and the Association of Racing Commissioners International as a Steward or Judge, and is a current member of Texas Quarter Horse Association.

Tooter has started horses at Bandera Downs, Blue Ribbon Downs, Delta Downs, Gillespie County Fair, Lone Star Park, Manor Downs, Pamona, Remington Park, Retama Park, Ruidoso Downs, Sam Houston Race Park, Sunland Park and Trinity Meadows, plus many others over the years.

Mr. Jordan is eager to represent the horsemen racing in Texas stating that, “I wish to promote quality and fairness for all horsemen and breeds participating while striving to equally improve the quality and structure of purses for all breeds by supporting new opportunities for additional gaming in Texas.”

David Okeson

David Okeson was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and today, he and his family reside in Kingswood, Texas. Mr. Okeson is an Independent Sales Manager for a medical equipment and supplies company in Houston, Texas. David is a past Texas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association President and Board member, past member of the Texas Quarter Horse Association Racing Committee and an avid supporter of the HERO Program at Sam Houston Race Park.

Mr. Okeson grew up around horse racing in New Mexico and first became involved as an owner in 1994 and in 2001 got his trainers license. The first horse he ever owned was a claimer, which was lost to a claim in his very first race and he won! He then went on to buy a yearling named “Grits Gator” who ran in 10 stakes races earning over $200,000. This year Mr. Okeson won his 50th race with quarter horses he has owned himself. David has run races at Lone Star Park, Manor Downs, Retama Park and Sam Houston Race Park.

David feels his biggest interest at this time is supporting his children in 4H and soccer while also letting them have a part in some of his horses. “If elected, I would like to be active in two issues, one of them would be opportunities and the other would be purses,” David stated.

Michael Zingelmann

Mike Zingelmann is the owner of and trainer for Wind Dancer Racing Stable out of Bastrop, Texas. Mike was born in Anaheim, California and is currently a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association and the Texas Quarter Horse Association.

Mr. Zingelmann got his start in racing as an owner in 1995 when he claimed “Pappas Hot Trux” for $5,000. He later bred this mare to produce “Yoda O Toole” who won the Dash for Cash Futurity Consolation in 2001. Mike truly became involved in 1999 when he “traded” for a trainers’ hat. During the last three years he has enjoyed a lot of success improving horses that others did not see the potential in. In dealing with horses, Mike’s philosophy is “Give me your tired, your poor and your mentally disabled and we will help them reach their potential.” He has started horses at Calder Race Course, Delta Downs, Lone Star Park, Manor Downs, Retama Park and Sam Houston Race Park.

Mike likes to travel, go scuba diving, snow skiing and Texas A & M sports where he graduated from in 1986. If elected “My goals include providing health insurance for horsemen and their families and promoting on track gaming to increase purses and racing opportunities,” said Zingelmann.

Ballots must be received back by no later than Monday, December 16, 2002 and the results will be announced shortly thereafter. If anyone who started a quarter horse in the past 12 months does not receive a ballot please call the Texas Horsemen's Partnership office at (512) 467-9799 and ask to speak with Wanda.