Page 23 - June 2005 The Game

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
The Game, June 2005 23
HBPA Update
Report from the Executive Director
Volunteers Needed for First Aid Course
As you are aware the HBPA is aiding the trainers to reach industry standards for Health and Safety. We need to have 140 people take a Standard First Aid Course. We are asking Trainers and Assistant trainers to take the course as we need people who will hopefully not be leaving Woodbine in the near future so we do not need to retrain.
If you are interested in taking the First Aid course please sign up at the Woodbine HBPA Backstretch Office.
In case you missed my April 2005 report, I announced at that time that the HBPA Board of Directors have increased the financial awards with respect to Woodbine Owner Awards and the HBPA Education Fund.
Worth repeating, for all Ontario
breds who win a race this year (at
any level except the stake level) at
Woodbine, your award will now
increase to $1,500.00 per win.
That’s a 50% increase and
hopefully a boost in the long run to
the Ontario breeders throughout
the province. Is there anything better we can do as an industry but to support the farms and or breeders and the thousand of jobs that are created in Southern Ontario by them? We are an industry that is labour intensive and therefore the trickle down of funds to our grassroot industry participants is not only nice, it is imperative for our survival in the long run. Let’s hope this significant increase will encourage owners to continue to buy and support Ontario breds for years to come.
On the HBPA Education Fund perspective, this assistance program also got a financial boost with the Board now subsidizing education for owner/trainers, backstretch employees and their children (please obtain qualifications at the HBPA office) to $1,500 per year. This increase was necessary in order to keep up with the rising costs of post secondary education. Personally I can tell you that it brings me great pride to sign those cheques aimed at institutions for our community and their children. We as an industry must encourage and support the achievement of formal education on an ongoing basis.
Since my report in April, the HBPA Board has stepped to the plate again by not only
enhancing the current benefit plan offered to the backstretch community, but by also providing further financial subsidy for the members of our medical/health benefit plan. The plan has now been expanded to include a) no per visit maximum for Chiropractor visits, b) Eye Exams every 24 months (the Province of Ontario took away public cover- age for this exam last year), and c) increasing our Dental fee guide from 2002 rates to 2004 rates.
The best part of the expansion is that there will be no additional cost to our members and their employees as the HBPA Board has decided to absorb the increase cost of the plan (including a 4% rate increase on existing offerings). This brings the average (depending on your status) subsidy of benefits by the HBPA to a whopping 63% of the total. In other words, backstretch personnel contribute only 37% of the premiums billed by our benefit provider. Four years ago, the HBPA contributed on the average, 50% of the premiums. On behalf of all participating, I thank the Board for this initiative by keeping the cost of essential
benefits as low as possible and affordable.
On a completely difference topic, but worthy of mention at this time, the track surfaces at Fort Erie- both the sand ring and the main track- have had nothing but glowing reports by ALL horsemen at the border oval. Comments such as “It was worth the wait” are abound. I would like to personally thank Herb McGirr and his staff (Alan and Ken) for a great job on finally getting this monumental project done,
and done well. Thank you gentlemen!
As always members, I welcome and look
forward to your comments.
On May 11, the Ontario HBPA held a meeting for all Woodbine trainers regarding the Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Health & Safety Act. The HBPA has hired a consultant to help trainers follow the procedures outlined in the Act which will hopefully avoid stiff fines or jail time issued from the Labour Ministry for non-compliance.
For more information regarding the Occupational Health & Safety Act contact the HBPA at 416-675-3802
HBPA Day at the Races at Fort Erie
Sunday, May 22
Carolyn Komaromi (left) and her daughter Sam display their t- shirts which they received with their purchase of a Fort Erie program during the HBPA Day at the Races
August Trainer Testing at Woodbine
The next Assistant Trainer/Trainer testing will be held at Woodbine on August 8 & 10. Completed applications must be in the HBPA office by 3pm on July 25, 2005.
Executive Director Nick Coukos
HBPA Annual Picnic
Are you ready to have some fun?!
Because the HBPA Annual Backstretch Picnic is just around the corner on Monday, July 11 at Woodbine. The picnic will be held just inside of the East Security Gates on the Woodbine backstretch.
Fun for the entire family, the picnic will feature clowns, face painting, pony rides, adult turf races, as well as running, sack and three-legged races for the kids.
The HBPA will also be providing a free food and refreshments along with a free gift for all of the children. Details to come on the Fort Erie Backstretch Family
Picnic.
HBPA President Conrad Cohen (middle) was surprised when the first race on HBPA Day at the Races was a deadheat and both horses and their connections posed for the win photo. Conrad was on hand to present the winning connections with an HBPA lead shank and the winning groom with a cheque for $100. Nijinsky’s Pride (horse on right) trained by Danny Acorn for owner Ted Csontos and Litefingered Louie (left) trained by Ian Alderson for owner Carrie McDonough were the two deadheat winners of the first race.
Shedrow of the Month
Congratulations to Stanley Baresich for winning Shedrow of the Month for May 2005 at Woodbine. Shedrow of the month winners receive $100.00 from the HBPA and $100.00 from WEG.
Congratulations to Running Rebels Stable (barn 6A) for winning Shedrow of the Month for May 2005 at Fort Erie. Shedrow of the month winners receive $100.00 from the HBPA.
Skills Courses still Available
Applications are still being accepted to participate in the Practical Horsemanship and Anatomy/Physiology Skills Improvement Courses offered at Fort Erie by the HBPA.
Please submit your applications to the Fort Erie HBPA backstretch office as soon as possible.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
Every Tuesday at 1pm HBPA Trailer Backstretch Woodbine Racetrack