The Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) Board of Directors recently elected two new members at the ELCR Board of Directors Annual Meeting and Strategic Planning Session, held March 14-15 at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, in Harrodsburg, Ky. Betty Biszantz, owner of Cobra Farm in Lexington, Ky., and Scott King, DVM, manager of equine products at Bayer Animal Health, are both avid equestrians and ardent supporters of land conservation.

Biszantz and husband Gary have been the proud owners of Cobra Farm, a successful Thoroughbred breeding operation, since 1995. The original 82 acre farm has expanded over the years to become 340 acres of prime Bluegrass property. Realizing the value of their farm and the likely threat of future development, the couple decided to protect their property by placing a conservation easement on the farm. This was accomplished through the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Purchase of Development Rights program.

Biszantz is excited to be an integral part of ELCR’s future and said, "Horses provide mental and physical therapy to both the young and the old, to the handicapped as well as the able-bodied. We owe it to the future generations to preserve and protect land designated for raising, supporting and interacting with horses in order to sustain the species and maintain the ancient relationship between man and horse."

An additional accomplishment very near to the couple’s heart is Tranquility Farm, a nonprofit Thoroughbred retirement, retraining, and adoption operation dedicated to honoring the Thoroughbred after they’ve run their last race. The farm, situated in the mountain valley of Tehachapi, Calif., is currently home to more than 70 off-the-track Thoroughbreds