For spearheading the efforts to return of American Quarter Horse racing to Florida with the debut of the sport at Hialeah Park, Dr. Steve Fisch was presented the Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award.
This award is given yearly to an outstanding man involved in American Quarter Horse racing to recognize his achievement within the industry throughout the year.
For the past five years, Dr Steve Fisch has spearheaded the successful effort to bring American Quarter Horse racing back to Florida, and for that he has earned the 2010 Gordon Crone Achievement Award.
In 2006, Dr. Fisch accepted the role as president of the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association, and has put in countless hours to return sprint racing to the Sunshine State.
When legislative efforts began, few politicians knew what a Quarter Horse was. Working with the organization’s lobbyist in the state capital, Dr. Fisch educated them about the economic impact of racing and breeding. He negotiated legislation and contracts with the track, and his efforts came to fruition on November 29, 2009, when more than 27,000 people flocked to historic Hialeah Park to watch American Quarter Horses blaze down the track on the opening day of the meet.
“Without Dr. Fisch,” noted his nominator, “I truly believe there would still be no American Quarter Horse racing in Florida. Many of us in the industry have worked on it and talked about it for 20 years, but he is the guy who kept rolling over the rocks and clearing the path so it became a reality.”
Dr. Fisch owns and operates AVS Equine Hospital in Tallahassee, Florida. In 2011, he will stand seven American Quarter Horse stallions. His efforts are backed by his wife Kelley, his father, William, and their children Joe, Jessie, Casey and Zoey.
