Animal Activist Margaret Crain made the mistake of trying to rebuttal without facts. She quoted Alejandro Galindo Nevada President for the Mexican Federation of Charreria. “Mr. Galindo said he had a letter from the AQHA approving of breakaway horse roping”. “Mr. Ward Stuntz from the AQHA Senior Breed Integrity said he contacted Mr. Galindo.” What waits to be seen is if Mr. Stutz really in fact contact Mr. Galindo? Maybe he should contact the 20,000 members of Charreria to see what their thoughts are starting with El Señor Lorenzo Vargas from Xtra Quarter Horses.
After reviewing the video from the meeting on August 6 what Mr. Galindo said was in rebuttal to some of the activist, as they had stated that PRCA and AQHA was against the ordinance change. Mr. Galindo simply mentioned references on these organizations past stance on other similar legislation and approval on the issue of “catch and release”. Where activist are getting this “breakaway roping” is beyond us. He also stated how the Mexican Federation of Charreria USA is in constant contact with other rodeo and equine organizations and they abide by their own Animal Welfare Rules that resemble those in the industry.
“I called the International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Association
that is the horse of choice for many of the charros” said Margaret Crain. Earth to Margaret the horse of choice for the
charro has always been the American Quarter Horse way before the breed was registered. Every equestrian professional will tell you
that the Quarter Horse came from the Thoroughbred which was first introduce to
the Americas via the Spaniards. While
the harsh climate was too much for some breeds the thoroughbred (quarter horse)
adapted. Thus the horse of choice for
the Chinacos and Charros was and still is the American Quarter Horse.
People have OSHA to protect them - If you haven't noticed already Margaret is lost. OSHA is an agency that enforces Safety - Animal Control is the agency that enforces Animal Cruelty in Clark County. Employers perform safety training following a safety program - The Rodeo/Equestrian Industry perform livestock management training following a livestock welfare program. When an incident occurs employers have their safety departments come in an investigate the incident. They assess the incident determine its casual factors and apply the corrective action to prevent reoccurrence. Does this mean the incident wont happen again? Of course not they're called accidents for a reason. OSHA only gets involved depending on the severity of the incident. Same thing happens when an incident takes place involving any participant in a Rodeo/Equestrian Event. We don't abolish labor because its risky or unsafe we take a proactive approach and regulate the unsafe acts. The same holds true for the Rodeo/Equestrian Industry we don't abolish a RODEO/EQUESTRIAN EVENT.
"Mr. Galindo said we were discriminating against Hispanics, no were not were discriminating against cruelty." said Margaret Crain. Do I really need to answer this one as its self evident on the above picture or am I missing the picture here? Geesh! Reminds me of you CAN drink out of this drinking fountain but you CAN'T!
Here is the Charlie Russell picture Margaret Crain referred to and was shown by Mr. Galindo. We believe what Mr. Galindo was trying to demonstrate and accomplished was that this was and still is a part of the American Western Heritage Culture.
The relationship that Mr. Galindo and Toby de la Torre
Preservation Director for the US Mexican Federation of Charreria have said to
exist with others from the industry is very much in question. Hopefully these organizations that are being mentioned by the activist like PRCA and AQHA will take a stance and provide a statement at least. We urge our readers in the charro community that own AQHA horses to contact Mr. Stuntz.
