Publisher's Letter
Volume 1, Issue 2: June 16th, 2008
In the fall of 2007, NSA President, Franey Abbott, asked the Blanchards to provide a list of the reasons we decided the Little Everglades Steeplechase would become a non-sanctioned event. The list consisted of approximately 10 items.
Item 7 on the list reads as follows:"May we suggest the NSA use a customer satisfaction survey including Race Meet Chairmen, Owners, Trainers and Jockeys? Accounting firms or Universities can be useful to ensure anonymity for replies. Over the years we have found this useful in our effort to run a successful business."
The steeplechase community owes a vote of thanks to those folks who gave of their time to serve on the Ad Hoc Committee, SOTA Board and others who spent many hours preparing a survey document that covered most of the salient points. It's particularly gratifying to learn that over 300 interested people completed the survey. Overall it was a good effort and will provide useful input. It would have a greater effect if the survey had provided anonymity with the summary prepared by outside professionals. This would have avoided non survey comments such as "larger purse increases make for increased racing opportunity."
It is almost impossible to have an unbiased report and recommendation when it is prepared by those with a vested interest. Despite our misgivings of how the survey was handled, it was still a good effort and can be useful to the steeplechase community.
G. Robert Blanchard, Publisher
Steeplechase Free Press
Volume 1, Issue 1: March 16th, 2008
On February 20th, 2008 we learned that The Steeplechase Times did not plan to cover the Little Everglades Steeplechase. No reports would be published regarding our race meet. We believe this was a decision made by the National Steeplechase Association management as The Steeplechase Times is unfortunately controlled by the NSA. We were disappointed as we felt the OTR participants in our event would have considerable interest in race results and other happenings.
On February 21st, 2008 we decided to publish the first edition of The Steeplechase Free Press. We don't pretend to be polished writers or experienced publishers. We will publish race results and photographs of race winning owners, trainers and riders. We will also publish photographs of our Honorary Chair, Ronde Barber of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, presenting winning trophies.
Hopefully you will enjoy pictures and articles regarding activities at our Fun Day in the Country.
G. Robert Blanchard, Publisher
Steeplechase Free Press