Racing Under Saddle Ontario has announced the first trotting under saddle race dates on the 2015 schedule in addition to some important information about the upcoming season.
The first two RUS events will take place on May 15 at The Raceway at the Western Fair District and on May 17, Confederation Cup day, at Flamboro Downs. The complete RUS schedule will be announced when additional dates are confirmed.
Qualifiers will begin in April at both Western Fair and Flamboro. Riders must qualify a minimum of three times this year to receive their license. Horses must qualify once and they will remain qualified for the remainder of the season. There must be at least three horses in a RUS qualifier for it to go (as per Ontario Racing Commission rules).
RUS races are guaranteed to go for the same purse as the lowest purse on the condition sheet. For example: The purse for $5,000 claimers at Western Fair is $3,000. Horses do not race with claiming prices in RUS races.
New this year, RUS Ontario has adopted the Fair Race Rule. This highlights two important points:
1) All RUS racelines will be charted so that the betting public has as much information as possible; and
2) If a horse makes a break in a RUS race, it won’t count towards a qualifier.
For example: If a horse ran its last start in harness and makes a break under saddle, he will not have to qualify.
Since trotters use different muscles under saddle than they do in harness, RUS Ontario notes that it is a huge advantage to have a foundation of mileage under saddle.
"We have found that many horses benefit greatly from the cross training and change of routine thus stepping up their game in harness," said standardbred trainer and RUS organizer Rebecca Titus.
Looking forward to the 2015 season, RUS Ontario encourages standardbred owners and trainers with an interest in racing under saddle to get involved early.
"A couple of lessons the last two seasons have taught us are that we can never be too prepared and we cannot have too many horses available to compete under saddle," said Titus. "If you have a trotter you would like to have ridden and possibly prepped for the 2015 season, now is the time to contact us."
Check rusontario.com for a rider in your area or email [email protected] for rider recommendations.
(With files from RUS Ontario / Photos: Winzel under saddle courtesy Just Ducky Photo, Winzel winning at Western Fair courtesy AG Photography)
You are right Joe Riga in
You are right Joe Riga in stating that you (and some others) know what you (they) like and bet accordingly. It's that large number of potential participants and gambling dollars outside of that group that we are trying to entice with something a little different and perhaps even sway some die-hard harness fans to play our horses now and then. As Britt stated, we in harness racing were told to reinvent ourselves and become self-sustaining---bring more fans and gambling dollars to our sport. I haven't seen a whole lot of changes since that directive came down from the powers that be. If we all sit back and stick with the status quo, will there even be harness racing at the end of the allotted time frame. If nothing else, we have to show that there is an effort to change, expand and become self-sustaining. The SARP encouraged complacency. When we suddenly lost that very lucrative program, we floundered. Breeding, sales, purses, race track, race dates took a dive. We need to look further afield than our current vista if we are to remain an entity to be taken seriously.
To Aris Engelhard. We have invited any and all interested parties to join us. We are all volunteers who have a vested interest in the sport---some for several generations. We want to see harness racing thrive in Ontario. The ORC/OLG/Gov't directed us to help ourselves if we wanted their support. Has anyone else risen to the challenge? RUS has!
Anna Humphris I for one am
Anna Humphris
I for one am getting really tired of the "pony club" label. You mention that riders were not given a mount, well I am sorry but if people do not put in the effort to come out and meet standardbred owners, trainers, and riders then how are they supposed to be given a mount. I have friends who are exercise riders and they have come out to ride on several occasions, however they did not see it feasible to spend the money on the license and equipment for only a few races. They have decided to wait until more races are available. The ORC has put the rules in place and anyone willing to go through the process is welcome to apply so I don't see where you think people are picking and choosing who rides. If people are interested then they should contact RUS Ontario as all info on how to get a license is listed for EVERYONE and as for finding a horse they need to come out and meet people. Most trainer's I am sure are not going to put someone on a horse that they have never met and have no idea who they are.
In reply to Anna Humphris I for one am by poisonsjubilee
Ms. Humphries, apologies if
Ms. Humphries, apologies if you are offended by the pony club stigma however RUS has not had any new riders and very few new horses join the circuit since it started in 2012. In fact many of the horses who race in RUS events are ridden, trained and/or owned by their riders or the spouses/ partners of the riders. This by definition would be a club. RUS is the only racing organization that is able to control their own race dates and destiny. I found this interesting considering that the tax payer is what is funding their purses and their OHR marketing endeavors. RUS has failed to produce any financial statements that has shown the group has contributed large quantities of cash to better horse racing and encourage new people to come to the track. In fact since attendance is not properly tracked at many of Ontario race tracks I'm not sure what the bar for success would be? Especially since the metrics are based on food and beverage/ wagering. Why not let RUS races go carded on a regular night when people aren't coming to the track to participate in a large event and see how well the handle is.
The ORC should mandate RUS to a 15 race season at the grassroots tracks to encourage more participation from all industries and not just those who organize, participate and benefits from it. Give RUS serious metrics to meet over two years and if it is not proven to be a success, fold it and try something new. I love the idea of introducing Greyhounds. I just don't think that the ORC/ OLG and public are interested in running something that cost more money than it makes. I suspect this to be the case with RUS since none of the organizations financial statements are public. If in fact this is the saviour of horse racing and is as successful as the girls dub it to be then lets see the proof. Why is it that RUS doesn't have a notable industry champion pulling for it to be held at more tracks with higher purses? If the industry truly backs the benefits of Monte racing why hasn't someone like Emma Jayne Wilson, Jody Jamieson or Tim Tetrick come out to put their names behind the sport to endorse it. Why is it that WEG isn't more supportive of more RUS races on their larger race nights or even on Queen's Plate Day with wagering? Why hasn't there been any race secretaries or track management speak to the ringing endorsements of Racing Under Saddle? Probably because it takes more of an investment to run the event than it does give back to the tracks and industry. Unfortunately these are the very things that still make this a pony club versus a business. It benefits a small few and contributes a very small amount overall.
In reply to Ms. Humphries, apologies if by Aris Engelhard
Mr. Engelhard; In reading
Mr. Engelhard; In reading your reply to Anna's comments, You wrote great comments, except for the small thing called facts. Not one of your comments contained any of these basic ideas.
First, over 50 horses qualified for Racing Under Saddle in 2014 and only 5 were directly or indirectly connected with the members or directors of the Association. There were over 15 riders qualified in Canada and an additional 6 came from other counties to ride. RUS did not provide horses for directors spouses or friends to ride. Owners and trainers contacted RUS and we put riders in that area with those individuals. Racing Under Saddle did not receive one cent from taxpayers or the OHR. The members and directors raised every nickel through fund-raisers and sponsorships to cover costs of running our events. If we came up short, we put it in out of our own pockets, because we believe this can be more the "pony club" you think it is.
We are now a Not For Profit Corporation as of 2015. Previously, the money we raised went to fund events. There has not been a director or executive member receive a paycheck out of any funds raised in the group, unlike the horsemans groups that are supposed to represent us. If you wish to see the total revenue and expenses for 2014 you can contact me at [email protected] and I will accommodate need to find something that isn't there. In March, we held the first seminar for new and returning riders that comprised of a fitness test and a riding seminar. We had many returning riders and 4 to 6 new riders that wanted to participate this year.
We, as a group, and the ORC and the OHR, were pleased with the first year numbers from 8 para-mutual races held in 2014. Overall our handle was 6.93% of the total daily handle that included Industry Day and Gold and Grassroots events. On days where we held an event in conjunction with other events,our handle increased to 8.11% and days where we were the feature event on the card our handle increased to 9.43% of the handle. On these days our handle 7.60% more than the average regular race.
Racing Under Saddle has been working with the ORC/OHR to improve the professionalism and rules of our races. We have changed rules to bring them in line with the harness racing rules. We are working hard to bring a great year to those that want to see something new and exciting in our sport. When we hold an event at a track near your the average age drops from 50 something men to 30 to 40 family groups that enjoy our product. FYI, Emma Jayne Wilson has ridden in a Racing Under Saddle race (and won)and was impressed with the ability it takes to ride Standardbreds. I'm sorry you don't see anything good in Monte, but there is a lot more people that do and they come out to the track when we are in town.
Robert Coole
Treasurer
Racing Under Saddle Ontario (Canada)
Aris, We are not sure what
Aris, We are not sure what data you were able to see, but our best handle of the year was September 20th 2014 at Flamboro Downs where we handled an impressive 18% more than the harness races held that night. We also had a slightly higher handle at Western Fair and on par at the majority of other tracks were we raced.
Our leadership has successfully led through uncharted territory with careful consideration and focused direction. As far as additional oversight we are currently working closely with the newly created Ontario Horse Racing group to further our product and our visibility. We are ultimately sanctioned and governed by the ORC. Europe is under similar guardianship in that here are racing commissions and there are record keeping bodies, i.e. Standardbred Canada here, Societe du Cheval Francais Trot in France.
There is not a racing place anywhere that the governing rulemaking body provides horses. Unfortunately we are not sure where the idea came from that we should “provide mounts”, but that is not RUS Ontario’s nor the ORC’s job. RUS Ontario fervently recruits riders and trainers and work hard to put the 2 parties together. However it is ultimately the riders’ duty to find horses to ride, to learn about our industry and to find ways to participate even if it is not always riding.
RUS Ontario loves the idea of Jockeys and exercise riders riding trotters. However it takes a degree of time commitment to make it happen. A holder of a jockey’s license is not automatically granted a RUS license. And rightly so- Standardbred racing has different rules unique to gaited race horses and mobile starting gates. There is a learning curve to riding trotters, and while a good rider is a good rider there are still many details that need to be mastered before simply getting behind the gate for bettors to wager on.
As far as our RUS Ontario Seminar Day held March 8th 2015, we are not sure who is disappointed. We are thrilled to have had new riders travel from Ottawa, the United States and even France to take part in our seminar.
For an initiative that is in only its second year we are moving forward and trying new things. Will they all work? Certainly not, but we are trying. We do not believe that anyone has ever stated that RUS could “get the industry refocused”, and while we as harness racing participants wish it was that simple we understand we are part of a greater picture. We are doing our small part to attract new fans, (especially for little girls that love horses and here to now have not had too many female role models in racing) and put a few more fannies in the grandstand. Are some of them family and friends? Surely; but friends of friends is how the social media wave works so why won’t it work for live racing?
For those of you who are
For those of you who are saying that people like me who don't like or wont wager on RUS are closed minded or naysayers I beg to differ. First off, I have seen and watched RUS before. My point is this. Some of us know what we like. It's that simple. Some people like watching NFL football and willbet on it. That does not mean they are closed minded if they don't like betting on CFL football or college football or any other sport. It just means they know what they like.
If the powers that be decide they want to put in RUS that's fine. It's their perogative. And if it takes off that's great too. But please don't call us closed minded for not wanting to wager on it or if we don't like it. I don't necessarily like wagering on steeple chase racing, short distance racing like the 200 and 300 yeard dashes they have at Los Alamitos or Lousisiana downs, nor do I like betting on greyhounds or harnes racing on half mile tracks either.
It doesn't make me closed minded. It means I know what I like and seeing as I do not have an unlimited source of funds I wager my money on what I like.
Eventually each track will have to decide which customers it needs to cater too.Maybe having one RUS here and there will work. Might even be fun. But if it got to where RUS races start replacing two or three harness races on a card then I have no interest in that. That's not too say I don't think it takes talent to be an RUS rider or that I don't appreciate the hard work that goes into it. It just isn't for me something I would regularly wager on.
Tracks cannot be all things to all people.
If the industry in Ontario
If the industry in Ontario were thriving and sustaining itself, introducing a new product for fans to follow & wager on may seem a little unnecessary. However, that's not the case. After the cancellation of SARP, our situation in Ontario took a nose dive (to say the least) and we have been told over and over that we must find a way to reinvent ourselves, get more people out to the tracks & become more self sustaining.
RUS Ontario is our groups way of adding some excitement to regular racecards, while trying to help rebuild our industry.
Last year was very much a pilot year for us. We became the first jurisdiction in NA to offer wagering and believe it or not, our numbers held their own at every track where wagering was offered (often handling higher than some of the regular races on the same card). As we continue to work hard at producing a professional product , we will continue to attract both new and old bettors to the table. We are making our contribution to this industry, with not only the handle on each of our races but with the following we developed last year-and plan to multiply this year. Bodies AT racetracks. Fans on the apron. Car loads of people traveling across the province to cheer, bet & dine at our Ontario racetracks. That's hardly anything to yawn about.
Furthermore, its not reinventing the wheel when this wheel has been rolling elsewhere for years. Anyone who follows European racing or has been to Europe, will tell you that Canadian racing can learn a lot from the way they do things. Racing under saddle, aka 'monte' racing, is a popular event in Sweden, Norway, Finland & even in NZ. Some of the top European horses hold records under saddle as well as in harness (ex Commander Crowe), drawing huge audiences to take it in.
If RUS isn't your cup of tea, that's just fine, everyone is different. I like Slipknot, you may like Elton John..but if you haven't watched a race yet, give it a try this summer & if you have any suggestions by all means send them in, we love hearing constructive feedback. (www.rusontario.com)
But to those who say it can't be done, please don't interrupt those doing it.
In reply to If the industry in Ontario by BrittanyKennedy
Britt, Your comment is well
Britt,
Your comment is well put, however with regards to RUS racing in Ontario the handle isn't comparable to regular races. The only tracks where RUS races had a higher handle were tracks like Clinton and Leamington, which wouldn't be difficult when the average handle is $500 to $1000 bucks. Me personally I think if RUS were better managed by a group who knew how to build and develop a product it could be more successful. I just think the current leadership of the product is a little narrow minded and has not let the product grow organically. I am aware of thoroughbred exercise riders who wanted to participate and were not provided a mount to ride. If RUS wants to grow and be taken seriously it needs new leadership and oversight. Those are my two cents. Europe's RUS races are run by their Racing Commissions not a small group who pick and choose who is in the pony club and who isn't. Which from what I also hear was symbolic of the rather disappointing turn out to a recent training session held by RUS Ontario.
This is something the ORC should manage, if the ORC isn't interested in managing it, it's probably because it costs more than it makes. The fact is that I don't think RUS brought out new people to the track, those are family members of the people who are already involved and go to the track anyways. So for RUS to be confident it is what is going to get the industry refocused I think is misleading.
In reply to If the industry in Ontario by BrittanyKennedy
Well said Britt!
Well said Britt!
It's always too bad people
It's always too bad people shy away from new ideas. RUS can only help the performance of a horse on the track, look at last year's mounts that also were winners with a bike. To say you won't go to a track that offers RUS or bring in greyhounds sounds like closed minded thinking. And it is not at all like going to watch thoroughbred racing, takes a lot of talent on the part of the rider and the horse to stay in the gait for the mile. Hope to see many race dates and a bright future for this part of the sport.
There will always be
There will always be naysayers but let's not dwell on the negative. Harness racing needs a boost in Ontario. We need to attract a new, younger audience and keep the ones we have. Racing under saddle is quite an exciting and popular event in European countries and Ireland where both male and female riders compete. Let's give it a try and see what develops. We have quite a few talented riders that have trained very hard to become proficient in this discipline. It showcases yet another aspect of our very talented and athletic Standardbreds and riders. Maybe more of these horses will be saved from the stockyards if their racing careers can be extended in this venue. Most of them now race successfully both under saddle and in harness. From what I experienced last year, people enjoyed this addition on our tracks---especially at the B tracks where they were able to bet on the product. Most of our races were very popular at the betting wicket. Change is always difficult but change we must in order to compete with fast moving, instantly gratified opportunities for today's gambler.
news for our RUS
news for our RUS unhappys......i bet alot of standardbred racing in ontario.....
i can assure you....RUS races according to form....
do your progam homework....bet it, and you wont go wrong....class shows....and the girls deliver.
i have no dog in this hunt....strictly a wagering observation.
ive seen it live on fast track,,seen it live in the mud......the ladies are form-ful and thats all a race bettor could want.
**if i could change anything, and theres no way without the buggies....be careful re: clipping heels...these animals are moving and the riders are fearless,,,i found myself cringing a bit into that first turn.......but hell,,thoroughbreds go through same thing each race as well...so i outta relax.
thanks
jctoronto
Boring. Why try to reinvent
Boring. Why try to reinvent the wheel. There is a reason why we watch standardbred racing. Because if we want thorobred style racing , which is what RUS is albeit slower, then I'll go watch thoroughbreds.
RUS defintely will not make me run out to the track nor will their races see any of my money.
If you want to see under
If you want to see under saddle racing, go to Woodbine and watch the throughbreds. It would be no different then thinking bettors would be interested in watching throughbreds race hooked up to a sulky.
Great to see the first couple
Great to see the first couple of dates confirmed. One of the best things to come along in a long time and look forward to another great season and hope people come out to see the events over the year.
Its never a disappointment.
I respectfully disagree with
I respectfully disagree with Gary Schumacher's take on racing under saddle. I am and many others marvel at the athletic ability of the RUS riders and their mounts. It's incredibly refreshing to see cheering sections for individual horses. The crowd along the fence is a welcome change. And new faces are something we're not used to seeing. The RUS participants add a new dimension to an afternoon or night at the races. Give them a chance Gary. The racing is hotly contested and if it's a sideshow, it's a very good one.
I have not seen any comments
I have not seen any comments on RUS.I don't go to the races that often--maybe 15 times a year,but if the powers that be want me to come to live racing,leave RUS out.I will not go to a track that has it.If more revenue is wanted,bring in greyhounds.To me--RUS is a sideshow.It fits somewhere between donkey races and camel races.
If more revenue is wanted--bring in closed circuit greyhound racing.
My humble opinion--for what its worth.