Susan Rowett – Chairperson of the Thorougbred Breeders Association
The winds of change are blowing powerfully! It is refreshing to learn that the Thoroughbred Breeders Association Chairperson Susan Rowett will be visiting the far flung corners of South Africa to open the channels of communication with breeders.
In a move that is believed to be the first of its kind in two decades, Rowett’s roadshow is intended to hear grievances and to give an overview of the year ahead and the plans of the TBA.
While past Chairmen of the TBA have done a sterling job, many in trying circumstances, the first woman Chair has a mountain to climb in probably the toughest economic climate ever faced by a person in this important role. Mrs Rowett carries major expectations on her shoulders. And maybe it is high time in a history dating back ninety years, that the reins have been handed to a woman. Many believe in the axiom, ‘cometh the hour, cometh the woman.’
Betty Spence, President of the National Association of Female Executives, is on record as suggesting that ‘if Lehman Brothers had been Lehman Brothers and Sisters we probably wouldn’t have had our financial meltdown.’ Nasty? Maybe not. The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of South Africa is an Animal Breeders Society registered in terms of the Animal Improvement Act of 1998.
Virtually every breeder of thoroughbred horses in South Africa is a member of the TBA.
The TBA is governed by a minimum five member Council proposed and elected from and by its membership. To be a member of the TBA, a person must have at least one broodmare registered with the National Horseracing Authority of S.A.
In terms of its Constitution, the main objectives of the TBA are:
To safeguard and advance the common interests of Thoroughbred breeders;
To promote and encourage the breeding and generic improvement of Thoroughbred horses;
To promote, organize, hold and conduct sales of Thoroughbred horses for the benefit of its members.
The new TBA Chairperson has the credentials to match the challenge.
Susan Rowett was also elected Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Horseracing South Africa (Pty) Ltd on 26 November 2012. Racing South Africa is a national, non-profit organization whose objectives include the internationalization of the sport of horseracing and the preservation of the equine health of the industry.
Mrs Rowett is a prominent racehorse breeder and the joint owner of Varsfontein Stud in the Western Cape. Susan holds a degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University, a Masters in Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Business in the USA and has served for many years as a director of a multi-national company.
The meeting on Thursday represents an excellent opportunity for all breeders to have their say. The Cape Breeders Club have requested that specific grievances be emailed as soon as possible(see below) so that research can be done in order that constructive answers can be given.
For those unable to get there, the email facility is available to put your query in writing. Should there be anyone who wishes to raise issues but would prefer to remain anonymous, these should also be emailed and will be tabled.
The Western Cape meeting will be held on Thursday 21 February at the Golden Valley Casino, Worcester at 17h00. Snacks will be served and there will be a cash bar.
RSVP to Nicky: [email protected] or [email protected] or SMS 072 569 1234.
