Trot Insider has spoken to Hall of Fame horseman Bill O'Donnell, the recently departed president of the Ontario Harness Horse Association, regarding the possibility of a new association being erected
in the WEG/OHHA District 6 area.
"Certain people have expressed a good deal of interest about the idea of a new group over the course of the last couple of weeks," O'Donnell told Trot Insider. "Nothing is etched in stone at this point, but quite a few ideas have been thrown around."
O'Donnell told Trot Insider that a group of individuals have sat down and discussed the idea on a couple of occasions so far. He also said that more informal meetings will probably take place in the next couple of weeks.
"At this point, it has just been some concerned horsepeople sitting down voicing their opinions and concerns," O'Donnell said. "It appears as though there has been a lot of support so far."
On April 30, 2009, O'Donnell stepped down from his position at OHHA citing philosophical differences. In the wake of O'Donnell's decision, at least eight OHHA directors also relinquished their positions at OHHA.
Trot Insider will provide updates on the situation when they are made available.
I'm happy to know that Mr.
I'm happy to know that Mr. O'Donnell has not walked away completely after his resignation from the OHHA and is an intrumental part of what may become the "new horsepeople's association". It is unfortunate that this new group is not talked about in terms of encompassing the other tracks outside of WEG but it is a start and one that is badly needed in light of the direction that the OHHA has taken over the past months--make that years. The horsepeople of Ontario need a fresh page in order to negotiate with the tracks with which we do business.
In reply to I'm happy to know that Mr. by Lynne Magee
Lynne is so right; I hope
Lynne is so right; I hope that members of disrict three will convey this message to the OHHA at our meeting this Wednesday.
Edward Wilson
Hate to change the subject -
Hate to change the subject - but do we by any chance have a slightly more flattering pic of the Magic Man to use when we have stories about him on the website? I know you are obviously restricted to using your own photographers, but I think we'd all prefer to see a pic of BillyO in his prime on the homepage.
Not that you haven't aged great, Billy! lol