Many Projects, Many Thoughts...
Spring 1997

It's been a while since the last newsletter. Suffice it to say that keeping all the balls in the air is a difficult trick because I'm involved in so many projects, all of them relating to getting more people into racing.

One major project is the web site. It's still a work in progress, but it's now up there in cyberspace so that anyone with an Internet connection can access it. For those of you on the "net," the address is:

http://www.backyardracehorse.com

Bookmark it! My e-mail address is DELCASTILO@aol.com. This should help me answer letters faster and should make it easier for anyone to contribute to the next newsletter. In time, I would like to put the trainers list on the site and update it regularly. If you're a trainer willing to work with and educate your owners, send me your name, address, phone and what tracks you're at.

I've done a little traveling. I visited Equitana in Kentucky and had the opportunity to speak to some of the groups there. I'm always trying to convince them to market racing to the pleasure horse community. The major magazines and racetracks are always whining about how racing is dying and when I try to present my program, it seems there is no unified group to present it to. I'm planning on approaching the TRA again. Maybe they'll have a general meeting I can attend.

I went up to Saratoga and spoke to the New York Thoroughbred Breeder's Association at the invitation of Louis Salerno (of Questroyal), the President of that organization. New York has an excellent breeder's program, which offers great opportunities for New York-breds! I plan to be in Saratoga in August to do a book signing. What a lovely track. It shows the genteel side of racing!

If enough people in racing see what a positive force we (the small breeders and trainers) can be, then they will be more accommodating to us at the race tracks. Shippers (from BACKYARD RACEHORSE training sites) fill a great many races without burdening the track backsides. Most phone calls I get are from people trying to "break in" to racing. They tell me how hard it is to begin! The program I'm presenting is a workable plan to make racing more user-friendly and popular to Middle America. Anyone interested in a copy please give me a call! I welcome the opportunity to speak to horse organizations, horse fairs and breeding associations everywhere. If you know of a horse fair or conference looking for speakers, keep me in mind!

I had a great trip this month to North Dakota. I bet you didn't know THAT state had racing! What a great group of people! Most of the men I met there have been bronco riders. They KNOW horses and they're already prepping for their season. [Brrrr! There were snow flurries the day I was there. And what a wind!] Roger Reule, the Executive Director of the Racing Commission made arrangements along with Pat Carpentier and Charlie Soiseth, who were with the extension service. My thanks to them. What a good way to get to the horsemen!

In April, I'll be going to Lexington, Virginia for the Horse Festival. There seems to be an opportunity there with Colonial Downs (the new track) opening. Many horse people already are interested.

Also in April, Dr. Lane of the University of Gainesville has asked me to speak in Ocala. If you're in the area, come on over. Call me for details.

Another project I'm trying to get off the ground is a TV show called (of course) BACKYARD RACEHORSE! The thinking here is for it to have the same feel as "This Old House", the series that started on PBS about how to repair homes. But instead of Bob Vila and company showing you his world of repair and construction, I'll be taking viewers through a world of a backyard racehorse trainer.

The concept behind my show is to present how people train horses for racing all around the country, and to do this in an educational and entertaining way. It will present sound training techniques and then show variations on the theme. The show could change, in a powerful way, the image racing currently has with most people. That is, that it's only a sport for the rich. We can show that racing can be a family affair, especially for those who already compete in rodeo, hunter/jumper eventing, etc.

PBS was helping me with the show, but Newt cut the funds and now I have to find private backing. I've produced a promo video that has the flavor of what could be done. All leads to find backers of the show would be greatly appreciated.

On the same theme, I'm trying to show how the 4-H and FFA programs all over the country are the equivalent of the racing's "Little League." If we could have programs and curriculum for students, then we would be encouraging the younger generation to be interested in racing. Remember that baseball, basketball, hockey and other sports are alive and well (without being dependent on gambling) with a unified marketing entity in place behind it helping to nurture each sport. Kids are playing these sports in every neighborhood. If properly done, racing can intrigue newcomers! Let's use the existing infrastructure in the counties and the schools to excite more people to the game! Pony Club-ers, 4-H-ers, and FFA kids can be our new generation!

What do you think? Keep in touch. E-mail or write to me with your input. I want to hear from you.