Dan Switzer, the former executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (KTOB) is the latest industry member to pledge his support to the Water Hay Oats Alliance (WHOA). WHOA is a grassroots movement of like-minded individuals who have thrown their support behind passage of federal legislation to forbid the use of performance-enhancing drugs in racing.
Mr. Switzer's statement follows:
“Having recently retired as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (21 years), I can now look at the industry from the 'outside.' My opinion with respect to uniform medication, lab testing and penalties has not changed. I am now looking at it not from a board/advisory industry member, but as a concerned friend of the industry. I support the initiatives of WHOA and the proposed federal legislation (HR 3084).
“It is apparent to me that uniformity regarding medication, penalties and testing should be the number one priority, after safety, for the industry to accomplish. Reading the industry news it is apparent there are two sides to this issue. Those that are trying to effect a positive change and those that want to maintain the existing climate. Those that object to change do not give a solution as to how to obtain uniformity. The past proves that the industry is incapable of implementing these necessary changes on its own. It is easy to object, it takes vision and leadership to break from 'tradition.' Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different result?
“The proposed legislation has gone through the process of listening and making changes which is the correct process. There is no such thing as the perfect legislation, but if it meets the needs of the whole, it is worthy of implementation. I am familiar with the legislation and that is why I support passage of HR 3084 and the initiatives of WHOA.”
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