Legislative Information

Day At The Capitol

Photo Credit: Sandra Beck/Coady Photography

More than 1,000 Texas horsemen from across the State representing racing and non-racing horse disciplines joined together at the Texas State Capitol in Austin Thursday, March 31st to support SJR 33/ SB 1118, and HJR 111/HB 2111. This legislation would permit Texans to vote on allowing slot machines at licensed racetracks and Indian Reservations in the Lone Star State.

The group drew attention not just from its large number of supporters present but also with animals representing the various areas that will be positively impacted with the passage of the bills. An American Quarter Horse, American Paint Horse, Thoroughbred, Mustang and two Greyhounds greeted Capitol visitors.

Grammy award winner and equestrian enthusiast Lyle Lovett addressed the group on the front steps of the Capitol. As a long-time horse owner, Lovett is aware of the plight of the horse racing in the state and how that negatively affects all areas of the industry. “We’re hoping that by passing this legislation we will be able to sustain what has been a tremendous tradition and vital part of the Texas economy — the equine and agriculture business,” he said.

Every year, an estimated $2.5 billion leaves Texas for neighboring states with casino gaming. The operation of slots at racetracks in neighboring states provides an insurmountable economic advantage over Texas tracks. The consequence of this economic disparity has been the exodus of horses, breeding farms and other horse professionals to other states as they follow higher purses. This leaves the Texas horse industry at an overwhelming disadvantage which threatens the very existence of a vital horse industry and agricultural enterprises in the state.

Supporters of SB 1118/ HB 2111 crowded into the chamber of the Texas House of Representatives and made their presence known when Speaker Pro Tempore Beverly Woolley (R-Houston) welcomed them to the Capitol from the house floor. Woolley is the lead Sponsor of HB 2111.

“We are extremely pleased with the turn-out today,” said Val Clark, executive director of Texas HORSE. “We are urging all horsemen who want to have a voice on this matter to contact their legislators and ask for the opportunity to vote on this in November.”

Texas H.O.R.S.E. Organizations for Racing, Showing, and Eventing

Texas H.O.R.S.E. is unprecedented in its size and scope in that there has never existed such a grouping of diverse, multi-disciplined horse organizations to support a single cause. 

Every year, several billion dollars leave our state. Texans travel to neighboring states to spend those dollars entertaining themselves in gaming facilities, like casinos and racetracks which also offer additional forms of gaming. Texas dollars are paying for roads, schools, and other vital needs in surrounding states. 

Our mission is to support a legislative effort which will provide the Texas horse agri-industry with tools to compete against Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, states where the horse industry has been proactively supported by their state governments. 

Texas HORSE supports legislation that will allow the installation of VLTs (video lottery gaming machines – often referred to as slot machines) at licensed Texas racetracks. 

Comprised of: 

American Quarter Horse Association
American Paint Horse Association
National Cutting Horse Association
Texas Thoroughbred Association
Texas Quarter Horse Association
Texas Paint Horse Breeders Association
Texas Arabian Breeders Association
Texas Horsemen’s Partnership 

Your Voice at the Capitol!

Many political issues directly impact everyone in the Quarter Horse Industry. Through the TQHA Political Action Committee (PAC), you can help make the voice of the Quarter Horse Industry heard in the Texas state capitol and across the nation. 

Each legislative session there are bills filed that could have a profound effect on your business and or way of life. For the benefit of TQHA members and all horse owners and breeders in Texas, TQHA employs a fulltime lobbyist to keep watch on such legislation to make sure your rights as horsemen are secure. We are also proud to be a member of Texas HORSE. 

When people think of Texas, they think of horses – and we want to make sure they always do! 

For more information or to contribute to the TQHA PAC, call 512-458-5202