The National Capital Region Harness Horse Association (NCRHHA) and Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) will be hosting a members meeting on Wednesday, April 8 to provide the local harness racing community with an update following last week's announcement on the end of racing at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

The meeting will be held via a Zoom conference call on Wednesday, April 8 at 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The two horsemen's associations will start the call by providing background information then take questions and input from members. Members should contact NCRHHA or COSA for more details.

The NCRHHA would also like to advise racing participants that it has been informed by Rideau Carleton Raceway management that Thursday, April 9 will be the last day to pick up any equipment at the track. 

Racetrack operator Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Ontario Racing (OR), recognized by the provincial government as the authority for the horse racing sector in Ontario, had announced on Thursday, April 2 that Rideau Carleton Raceway will no longer host harness racing at the Ottawa oval, citing "long-term sustainability of the racing program could not be achieved." OR stated that it would announce in the days following details regarding transitional funding for a relocation support program for horsepeople interested in travelling to southwestern Ontario to continue racing. Further updates have not been announced as of press time on Tuesday, April 7.

(Standardbred Canada)