As most have heard, there has been a new horsepeople's group formed - the Central Ontario Standardbred Association.
Even though I think this was a necessary action given the recent developments with OHHA, and one I support along with most other horsepeople who race at the WEG tracks, I don't think we should be particularly happy or satisfied with the way things are playing out. These next few years are going to be very important to the future of harness racing especially in dealings with the government, and if we could tackle them with one strong united horsepeople's group, it would be a big plus. OHHA as it stands today is not the strong united group we need. It has been fragmented into a Sudbury group, an Ottawa group, and now a Central Ontario group. SHOP has also been formed as an owners' group. It is quite possible that when existing contracts come due with OHHA, these tracks will want to deal with other new groups as well.
What has happened at OHHA is a topic for another day but the bottom line is we find ourselves today in this very unhealthy state. OHHA has developed some very good programs for the grooms as well as for all its members. We must keep these programs in place and well-funded. Most of our racetracks today have the best interests of horse racing at heart. They are not the enemy - we are on the same side. We should have an amicable, respectful and cooperative relationship with the tracks as we represent the interests of Ontario's horse people.
We are very dependent on government cooperation in harness racing today and I fear that in our present state of disarray we are unable to protect our interests as effectively as we should. OHRIA is doing a great job in this regard and they need our strong support.
I don't know how this is all going to play out. It will be very interesting to watch. I wish everyone involved good luck and I hope that in the end there is some way that we can all come together and face the future as one strong and united force.
When Bill O'Donnell received
When Bill O'Donnell received a non Confidence vote at OHHA their must have been some unhappy folks . So now he is to head the (new) association. Would there not still be unhappy folks. Where is the complete solidarity that we so badly need???? yours truly Al Casselman
Jack I totally agree with
Jack
I totally agree with some of your comments. The most important to me, seems to be the element of a united front. This was part of my comment regarding the formation of a new association. Pehaps if cooler realistic heads could prevail these associations could form as one and use the skills and experience of the leaders of each association. Once this is accomplished the horsepeople would have a true voice within our industry.
Thanks for listening
Hey Jack, Need some apple
Hey Jack,
Need some apple pie with that motherhood? Unity on some things may well be a good idea, but how to get there ?
The industry needs concrete & practical suggestions for progress. Few are floating around - we should come up more. For example, what new betting products can we develop in order to stop erosion of the handle ? Or what more can we do with the Internet?
Governance reforms at this point may be less important than product innovation, but even so, what mouse will bell the cat with the needed changes? If ORC and the other bodies are becoming a failed state, is a Racing Czar the way to go? Where can we get some reform-minded leadership?
Just my 2 cents from the wilds of the Ottawa Valley.