My apologies for all the dead time since my last blog … were I a horse I would have been diagnosed with RHINO and pumped full with SMZ. As it was I had bronchitis and then pneumonia, with a hospital stay between them. It’s taken much more out of me than I had anticipated and the only way to fully resolve my health is to go to Florida for a few weeks. I’ll be in Ocala and let you know about events down there.
Before I go I want to tell you about plans for the NEW YORK HORSE PARK. The plan was presented to me by Board members MARSHA HIMLER and DOT CHRISTIANSEN. They’re looking at property just off the Northway at exit 16.
The Mission Statement “is to provide competitive, recreational and learning opportunities for youth and adults” as that all relates to equine activities. It’s a not-for-profit venture but it will bring in a tremendous amount of money to Saratoga and surrounding areas.
Already in New York State there are a broad range of equine-related activities: High School rodeos; Barrel Racing Association events; riding camps; horse shows for Western, English, confirmation and riding games; Young Riders’ 4-H shows; riding instructors’ certification classes; pony pulls; open All-Breed shows … the list goes on and on. These are spread out across the State; why not bring them to Saratoga County?
The rule of thumb regarding horses when they travel is that they bring on average two-and-a-half people with them (driver, rider, maybe a groom). Just think of the income potential when the Horse Park comes to fruition: there will be a continuous need for farriers, vets, transportation vehicles, feed providers, tack suppliers, hay and straw farmers, lumber mills for sawdust, not to mention added revenue to hotels and restaurants and gas stations. This list, too, goes on and on.
But this cannot happen without your help and here are some contact points:
www.nyhorsepark.org
This isn’t necessarily for us … it’s for the future of our children and the future of Saratoga County. If we don’t do this someone else will and just think what we will have lost: we will have lost TAX REVENUE!