Page 16 - July 2008 The Game

16 The Game, July 2008 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper New online Equine Journalism course from the University of Guelph
Equine Guelph, in partnership with the Of ce of Open Learning is offering a new online course in Equine Journalism. The 12-week course will provide the tools, techniques and knowledge necessary to become a pub- lished author and develop a career in Equine Journalism.
experienced online instructor, Susan co-created and teaches Management of the Equine Environment, part of the Equine Science Certi cate and Diploma in Equine Studies programs.
in the Of ce of Open Learning. “Barb provides so much personal experience and relevant information that it
was necessary to develop a more in-depth course. The online format will ensure it is accessible to students across Canada and beyond.”
Instructor Barbara Sheridan is an award-winning freelance writer and photographer and former Associate Editor of HorseCare Magazine. She combines a strong set of communications skills with a sharp creativity and uncanny ability to reach a target audience.
“Equine writers with a passion for horses have
the uncanny ability to bring that passion out in their written work,” says Equine Journalism instructor Barbara Sheridan. “However, writing for equine publications today is much more than just writing articles, it’s having the skills and knowledge to market them to the appropriate audience.”
Equine Journalism is one of the elective courses in the new Equine Business Management Certi cate continuing education program offered by the University of Guelph. The course runs from September 8 to November 30, 2008. For more details, visit www.EquineGuelph.ca , www. EquineBusinessCerti cate.com or email info@open. uoguelph.ca
Susan Raymond, Communications and Program Of- cer at Equine Guelph is the Assistant Instructor. Susan oversees the communications program and is heavily involved in the education programs at Equine Guelph. An
“This online course was developed in response to feedback we received from our two-day workshops,” says Melanie Prosser, Manager Program Development,
HBPA Ontario Update
HBPA Administrative Of ces: 135 Queen’s Plate Drive, Suite 370, Toronto, Ontario M9W 6V1 Phone: 416-747-5252
Report from the Executive Director - Nick Coukos
approximately $1 million. The revenue generated from uncashed tickets in Ontario over the last two years has averaged about $700k per year. Therefore, even with this source of revenue contributing to these backstretch programs, the revenue stream is signi cantly short and the shortfall is provided for by the HBPA operational budget. To eliminate this source of revenue in its entirety would obviously lead to the ceasing of such bene ts and programs to backstretch employees in Ontario.”
conducted. We support the notion of informing the public of all monies re- tained and deducted by racing associations and the purpose of their use. To this end we believe that not only will the betting public accept the use of the funds derived from uncashed tickets, they would embrace and applaud the programs which such monies are used to enhance the industry which brings them so much entertainment. To simply eliminate the current practice and to arbitrarily place these funds into some type of pool augmentation would not only be unfair to our industry, it would be unfair to the betting public since such funds were derived in a manner which would not be directly placed back into the hands of those speci c bettors who have developed such arti cial pools.”
After almost a year and a half of intense and determined lobbying, the HBPA of Ontario has been instrumental in convincing the federal agency of agriculture, and speci cally the Minister of Agriculture, to not make a change to the current regulations with respect to outstand- ing winning tickets. The proposed recommendation by the Canadian Pari-Mutual Agency (CPMA) to redirect the outstanding winning ticket fund would have crippled and jeopardized the funding of our backstretch account which funds our health and bene t subsidy. Our concentrated and aggressive campaign to ensure that this change
did not go forward was well supported by horseman and racetracks throughout the country.
“We do however agree with the concept of a more transparent foundation upon which pari-mutual betting is
Our speci c dialogue with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (who the CPMA directly reports) was focused on the hardship that such change would create and the result of not being able to provide backstretch workers with affordable health care was at risk.
In our letter to Minister Ritz dated January 9, 2008 we wrote:
“To understand our quandary with this anticipated policy change, let us explain the history which has been in place for several generations. The horsemen’s associations through private contractual negotiation with their racetrack partners have received 50% of the outstanding ticket revenue to fund earmarked back- stretch programs geared speci cally for the betterment of life to lower skilled employees of our industry. This arrangement can be traced back to well over 40 years (so long that no one remembers when it actually started) and has funded speci cally the 1) health and bene t program subsidy, 2) educational assistance programs to upgrade skills, and 3) benevolence for emergency situations. The funding for such programs have been subsidized to a large extent from uncashed ticket revenue. In Ontario alone, these three programs run an annual budget of
2 Dates left for HBPA Trainer Testing
Applications for Trainer and Assistant Trainer testing are due two weeks prior to the test date. Only complete applications will be accepted. Applications are now available at the Woodbine HBPA Backstretch Of ce.
HBPA Trainer and Assistant Trainer Testing Schedule 2008:
July 9, 2008 - Both Woodbine and Fort Erie Racetracks
September 24, 2008 - Both Woodbine and Fort Erie Racetracks - Final
Date of 2008 For more information contact the HBPA Backstretch Of ce, 416-675-3802.
Fort Erie Owners’ Appreciation Day
The annual Owners’ Appreciation Day at Fort Erie Race Track will be held on Sunday, July 27 from 1 to 4 pm in the paddock area tent.
The event will include a complimentary Barbecue and refreshments compliments of the HBPA of Ontario and Nordic Gaming.
You must hold a valid 2008 ORC license as owner and/or trainer to attend and seating is limited.
Please RSVP to Lorrie or Colleen at 905-871-3200 (ext. 3249) to arrange for your ticket to be picked up. The deadline for ticket pick-up is July 20 and there is no entrance without a ticket.
To the credit of the Ministry and the Minister, they listen and directed the CPMA to proceed with amending the Regulations and to adopt the majority of the changes proposed, excluding of course, the change that we fought so hard to reverse.
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The will and determination of the horsemen in this particular case has been heard in the political arena. A special thank you to Minister Ritz and his agency.
Shedrow of the Month
The winner of the Shedrow of the Month award for June at Woodbine is trainer John LeBlanc Jr. and his crew.
Shedrow of the Month winners will receive a $100 cheque from the HBPA and another $100 cheque from Woodbine Entertainment Group. Congratulations to Mike and his barn!
The winner of the Shedrow of the Month award for June at Fort Erie is trainer John Simms of barn 7a. Congratulations to John and his crew for maintaining a clean and safe work space.
HBPA Annual Boat Cruise
Ahoy Mates!
The annual Woodbine HBPA Boat Cruise for 2008 is scheduled to set sail on Tuesday, August 26.
Tickets are $15 per person and will be available at the HBPA backstretch of ce in early August.
Included with your ticket is a bus ride to and from the cruise dock as well as door prizes and lunch.