In order to facilitate an orderly and workable transition to the new rules, special paddock meetings and education sessions are now underway
. Some sessions for racing participants have already taken place at Hiawatha Horse Park, Woodstock Raceway, and for the jockeys at Woodbine. More dates in these locations are anticipated.
All participants are encouraged to attend one of these special meetings. Anyone unable to attend the posted meetings should make alternate arrangements with the ORC judges or stewards. Weekly updates to this schedule will be posted on the ORC website.
A schedule of meetings at other tracks can be viewed by clicking here (Please note that in addition to the schedule of meetings in the above-linked document, the ORC has also announced that there will be informational meetings Saturday, August 22 at 5:00 p.m. in the Kawartha Downs' Drivers Room; and on Sunday, August 23 at 4:00 p.m. in the Rideau Carleton Raceway Ontario Lottery and Gaming Training Room).
New Ontario rules governing the urging of horses in racing will be in place effective September 1, 2009. The rules – which will apply to standardbred, thoroughbred and
quarter horse racing – take into consideration the welfare and control of the horse, the safety of the participants, and the perception of the racing product to the public.
All racing participants should be familiar with these new rules, including the new penalty guidelines. To view the new rules, and the corresponding penalty guidelines, visit the ORC website.
Ontario’s racetracks also will play an essential part in this implementation. The tracks are being called upon to educate the betting public and assist in the efforts to communicate to the racing community. The ORC has developed various materials for their use, including ads for racing programs, ‘announcements’ for public address systems, and text messages for tote board and/or simulcast broadcast.
(With files from the ORC)