The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Health and Retirement Plan (HHHRP) Trustees as administrators of the Harness Horsemen’s Retirement Trust have announced direct benevolent relief for all 2019 Ohio HHHRP Plan Participants.

Due to the April 2, 2020 Order cancelling racing in the state until May 15, 2020, each 2019 Qualified Retirement Plan Participant, which includes breeding farm workers, grooms, trainers, and drivers, will automatically receive a two-payment benevolent distribution. The distribution will be based upon their full-time employment status with a breeding farm, racing stable, or individual full-time qualified status and number of starts in 2019 as a driver or trainer. In addition to the 2019 benevolent distribution, all participants will continue to receive a contribution from the statewide breakage fund into their retirement trust account.

Breeding farm workers, grooms, trainers, and drivers will receive an equally calculated benevolent distribution in two payments. Distribution of the first payment will commence May 1, 2020, the second distribution will occur by June 1, 2020. Breeding farm workers and grooms will receive approximately $500, each payment, while trainers’ and drivers’ distribution will vary based upon total starts from the base minimum. All participants will be treated the same and cannot opt-out of the distribution. Seek the advice of your financial professional for individual guidance and financial planning.

The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association will provide updates regarding financial relief initiatives as they take place via www.ohha.com and social media outlets.

For immediate updates, please subscribe to the OHHA Emergency and Informational Text Blast system by texting 'OHHA' to 1-888-808-1507.

(Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association)