Lisa Groothedde, a national award-winning Thoroughbred racing journalist, and her husband, Rudi Groothedde, the managing editor of California Thoroughbred magazine, have purchased Thoroughbred Information Agency and its major portal website www.thoroughbredinfo.com. Previously owned by original founder Don Engel, the site is the home of more than 80 custom-built websites featuring up-to-date information about stallions, farms and businesses involved in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry in the Western Region of the United States.
Every year, thoroughbredinfo.com welcomes more than 180,000 visitors, who access news and statistics on participating Thoroughbred stallions, farms and businesses located in California,
Arizona, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The website also provides a friendly online community, in which horsemen and horsewomen are able to share their thoughts and concerns
about the important issues facing the industry.
After a nearly 50-year run in the Thoroughbred business as a breeder, farm owner/manager, consultant, racehorse owner, sale agent and newsletter/website publisher, Engel, 83, retired on
October 31, 2008. The next day, Lisa and Rudi picked up the reins as the new owners and operators of Thoroughbred Information Agency (founded in 1966) and thoroughbredinfo.com (founded in
1997).
A graduate of Texas A's38;M University, Lisa is a lifelong equestrienne and national award-winning journalist for the Thoroughbred industry. During her tenure as editor of The Texas
Thoroughbred magazine, this official publication of the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) was honored by American Horse Publications as the country'ss Best State/Regional Publication
and Best Association Magazine, in addition to receiving numerous other awards for writing and design achievements. Lisa also created and maintained TTA'ss official website, www.texasthoroughbred.com.
Today, Lisa is a West Coast correspondent for Thoroughbred Times (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/) and a regular contributor to
California Thoroughbred. As a member of the National Turf Writers Association, she is also an Eclipse Award voter.
Through their Jacaranda Stable, the Grootheddes have bought, sold and consulted on the purchase of many successful breeding prospects in the commercial market, including a full brother to
the leading sire Songandaprayer.
One of the major reasons we decided to take the plunge, when this business opportunity suddenly arose for us, was the encouragement of USHorse.biz, Lisa Groothedde said. The enthusiasm
and unique ability to provide us with the professional and prompt service we needed through USHorse.biz, really motivated us to begin our journey on this exciting new business venture.