HLS 25RS-238 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 30
BY REPRESENTATIVE BUTLER
HONORARY DESIGNATIONS: Designates the city of Opelousas as the Horse Capital of
Louisiana
1 A RESOLUTION
2To designate the city of Opelousas as the Horse Capital of Louisiana.
3 WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has a long history of horse culture that is rooted
4in the city of Opelousas, where locals regularly engage in horse racing, breeding, and leisure
5activities; and
6 WHEREAS, Opelousas was home to the Chinawood Stock Farm, a horse farm and
7racetrack that operated from 1907 until 1909 on land that is now Evangeline Downs;
8Chinawood was known for breeding highly-regarded horse bloodlines, and many other states
9purchased horses from the farm; and
10 WHEREAS, The Academy of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau is a private Catholic
11girls' school that was founded in 1821 with a special dedication to local horsemanship; the
12school's Equestrian Center offers riding as part of the academic curriculum and recreational
13training and lessons; the school's Interscholastic Equestrian Association Team has produced
14numerous national champions including Opelousas-native, Mia Manzanares, a two-time
15women's all-around rodeo champion at College National Finals Rodeo; and
16 WHEREAS, horses are vitally important to the economy in Opelousas and St. Landry
17Parish, and they have strong bonds with the local way of life; many businesses and
18educational entities in the region focus entirely on the skills of riding, handling, and training
19horses.
20 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
21Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate the city of Opelousas as the Horse Capital
Page 1 of 2 HLS 25RS-238 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 30
1of Louisiana; does hereby further recognize the historic relationship between our country's
2equine industry and the city of Opelousas; and does hereby encourage all Louisianians to
3support the equine population and the equine industry across the state of Louisiana.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 30 Original 2025 Regular Session Butler
Designates the city of Opelousas as the Horse Capital of La.
Page 2 of 2