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Horse Racing On Tap Again for Fair Kalispell, MT - February 27, 2011 - Local horse racing organizers recently met with the Flathead County Commission to discuss this year’s schedule and gauge county support for the races, laying initial groundwork for better cooperation during the fair. Janis Schoepf and Debbie Cunnington, who are largely responsible for horse racing’s return to the Northwest Montana Fair after a five-year hiatus, told the commission that they wanted to ensure a better working relationship with the county. That doesn’t necessarily mean they want money from the county, Schoepf said, but they would like to work out issues such as machinery use so things can run more smoothly. For example, Schoepf told the commissioners that the horse race organizers were not allowed to use the county’s water truck to spray the track, despite it being used later for the rodeo. A local businessman provided a different water truck, she said, but she felt it made little sense to have to ask for something like that. But money will play a big part in this year’s races. The organizers said the impetus behind last year’s races was largely about proving they could successfully bring horse racing back. “We will only move forward if we’re confident the money will be covered,” Schoepf said in an interview after the meeting. Schoepf told the commission that she is still $3,000 in debt after shouldering a majority of the costs for the races last year. Since the races were organized so late in the season, Schoepf said they missed the deadline to apply to the state for financial help. That’s different this year. State Board of Horse Racing Vice Chairman Mike Tatsey told the commission that the board could only put a little money into the races last year, but this year the board could put, at minimum, a day’s worth of purses, maybe more. The state also pays for jockey insurance, he said. Schoepf also said that the race dates for events in Missoula and Great Falls are still in question, and Kalispell might be able to benefit financially if those races don’t come through. Read More: By Molly Priddy - Flathead Beacon |
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