I would like to begin this month’s column by thanking the Board of Directors for re-electing me as Chair of Standardbred Canada for another year. Joining me back on the Executive Committee will be Tammy McNiven (Vice Chair), Chuck Ibey (Chair of the Breeders Committee), Jim Lehman, and Richard Veilleux. George Riley will replace Cam Fella award winner Ross Galbraith. Thank you Ross for your dedication and I look forward to working with you, George, once again.

Speaking of SC committees, I would encourage any member who feels qualified to consider running for election as a Director. Nine Directors from across Canada will be finishing their three-year terms this year. Watch the website or ask a Director for more details.

What should the role of SC be in the future? I mentioned to you in my last column that we as a Board were going to try and answer that question. After a lengthy round table discussion, involving Department Managers and Directors, we decided to “try” and be a national leader and help facilitate the industry in the following areas: Tax Alliance (new Committee struck), pool dollars from the industry for a national marketing program, work with provincial regulators to see if we can strive for reciprocal licenses, uniform racing and drug regulations, etc. I believe all SC can do is try and offer our thoughts and resources to bring the industry together nationally.

The Board of Directors also felt that for SC to move forward in the future, the Governance, Bylaw and Strategic Planning committees should work together hand in hand.

The most talked about agenda item was under the heading of “A proposal to merge the Canadian Open and Forest City yearling sales.” The Directors were given a PowerPoint presentation with the history of the two sales and the thoughts of how the two companies would benefit if merged. After some pointed concerns, the board elected to discuss the subject “in camera” and made the decision that not enough information and time was given, and the ­subject was referred back to the Sales committee for more review.

I know by the time you read this column the O’Briens will be old news, but I would like to once again congratulate and thank Kathy Wade Vlaar and her team for a job well done on an excellent evening!!! After looking at both of the voting results (actual vote and fan survey), the only ­category that differed was the two-year-old trotting colts (Text Me and Il Villaggio). 2009 is the second year that SC has posted the breakdown of the votes, and I believe this is a great idea.

At the Annual General Meeting, Director Eric Johnston made a very heart-felt motion to have the By-Law Committee and the Board of Directors consider reducing the age requirements of drivers from 18 to 16 years. This item will be on the agenda at the next By-Law meeting.

Once again, I would like to mention some major milestones and achievements that have taken place since my last column. Congratulations to Rick Zeron (7,000), Wally Hennessy (7,500) and 18 year old Harry Landy (1) for their driving achievements. SC’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Ted Smith, was honoured at the SBOA banquet with the Lloyd Chisholm Achievement Award for meritorious service and Alberta Director Chuck Ibey was honoured at the Alberta awards banquet for 21 years of service to the breeding industry.

Until next month!!!