From California Horse Power Coalition
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As the year draws to a close, we celebrate a significant milestone: the first anniversary of the California Horse Power Coalition. This achievement and the progress we have made are testaments to your unwavering support. Together, we’ve remained steadfast in our mission to preserve and protect California’s vibrant equestrian culture. Let’s reflect on our collective accomplishments this year. Our Growing Community: We are thrilled to report that our supporter base now includes over 2,000 subscribers and followers actively engaged with our coalition, participating in industry events, and voicing their support. Notably, our partners have grown to 16 diverse organizations that are committed to furthering our shared goals. Advocating for Equine Welfare: As a community, we know that California is the gold standard when it comes to safeguarding equine athletes, serving as a model for the rest of the country. As you may know, California racetracks are now considered 2X safer when compared to the national average. To uplift this fact and further safeguard our industry in the years to come, we launched an initiative to educate legislators about how the safety reforms enacted over the last few years have successfully transformed California’s racing industry. Supporting our Backstretch Community: The backstretch community are the heartbeat of our industry. This year our coalition established a Backstretch Committee, solely dedicated to ensuring that our workforce is supported and celebrated. As part of that effort, we launched the #BackstretchHeroes video series to celebrate and support the vital roles these individuals play in our industry’s success. Click below to watch the videos and share these stories on social media. |
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Community and Industry Events: This year, our coalition has been busy showcasing our industry’s reach and impact, demonstrating our enthusiastic and engaged fan base, and spotlighting the influential women driving our industry. Key events this year included Santa Anita Opening Day, EquineFest, Ag Day in Sacramento, the 2023 Horse Racing Women’s Summit, CHRB meetings, the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation Open Clinic, Del Mar Opening Day, and the Breeder’s Cup. We look forward to hosting and meeting many more of you at industry events throughout 2024. Economic Contribution: At last count, California’s horse racing industry employed nearly 78,000 employees and directly injected $4.5 billion into the state economy, with a total contribution of $8.3 billion of indirect and induced spending. Our coalition was proud to fund the California breakout survey for the American Horse Council’s 2023 Economic Impact Study. This vital study quantifies the incredible impact that our industry has on California’s economy, and we look forward to sharing the 2023 results soon. LOOKING FORWARD As we approach 2024, our dedication to our mission is stronger than ever. We will continue to host events, provide advocacy opportunities, and importantly, do everything we can to preserve and protect our industry. Your support and participation will continue to be a pivotal force behind our progress. We encourage you to stay connected and share your thoughts and priorities with us. Your input is vital in shaping the future of our coalition and the equine industry in California. |
