The four young Alberta standardbred racing fans that have started a petition to support the industry in their province have now launched a website to further trumpet their cause.
To view the website that Chantelle Walker (14), Danielle Dornbusch (12), Fallon Gillespie (16), Hilary McKee (15) and the Whispering Hills Stables are publicizing for support, click here.
To view and sign the petition to save the Alberta standardbred industry, click here.
The initiative has drummed up quite a bit of support in a short period of time, and the mainstream media in Alberta has taken notice.
In a plea to the entire standardbred industry two days ago, the four youngsters said:
"We have started a petition to support our beloved Standardbred industry, in favor of keeping them in Alberta, and giving them the respect they deserve. Our goal is to acquire as many signatures as possible, and to present this, along with letters, a scrapbook, and other memorabilia, to the media, hopefully to gain their support, while at the same time raising awareness for this important cause.
"For those that wish to support us and help us stand up for the Standardbred Racing Industry, our email address is [email protected]. We appreciate anyone and everyone's support. We hope that us, as kids, trying to take action, inspires you, the Standardbred community, to step up as well."
Their letter, sent to Trot Insider two days ago, appears below in its entirety.
As young participants of the Standardbred racing industry, we have grown to adore and respect this valiant breed and the people involved. When we found out about the injustice that Northlands Race Park has thrust upon them, we were outraged and heartbroken because we felt that we couldn't do anything to help. Although each of us became interested in Standardbred Racing at varying times, we all feel the same passion and appreciation for what members of this industry accomplish daily.
While this may not directly affect us at the present time, we are still insulted when we think of all of the innocent people whose whole livelihoods, families, and futures are in jeopardy because of the HBPA and Northland Park's rash decision. Not only will this affect the trainers, drivers, owners, grooms, fans, and everyone who has grown to love the Standardbreds, but it will also affect the economy of farms and breeders, whose once prized horses, eligible for Alberta Sires Stakes and other provincial benefits, will now be worth much, much less. We all feel that this is an unwarranted event, and someone needs to take a stand, NOW.
Therefore, we sought it out to step up to the plate, as young kids, and take action. We have started a petition to support our beloved Standardbred industry, in favor of keeping them in Alberta, and giving them the respect they deserve. Our goal is to acquire as many signatures as possible, and to present this, along with letters, a scrapbook, and other memorabilia, to the media, hopefully to gain their support, while at the same time raising awareness for this important cause.
For those that wish to support us and help us stand up for the Standardbred Racing Industry, our email address is [email protected].
We appreciate anyone and everyone's support. We hope that us, as kids, trying to take action, inspires you, the Standardbred community, to step up as well.