26/ JANUARY 2011 THE RIDER


Q.R.O.O.I: P.O. Box 31090, Westney Heights RPO, Ajax, ON L1T 3V2


Telephone: (905) 426-7050 • Fax: (905) 426-7093 Email: qrooiheadoffice@gmail.com 388 Kingston Road East, Ajax, ON L1Z 1W4


www.qrooi.com By Kim Ito


Only 15 minutes away from Ajax Downs on Myrtle Rd in Ashburn Ontario, quarter horse trainer Kristi Newman is embarking on a new enter- prise aimed at bringing an exercise rider program to Ontario. Her venture is called G.A.T.E.S, which stands for “Gallop Academy and Total Equine Solutions.” Until now most people in the GTA have had little or no opportu-


PRESIDENT


Bob Broadstock 18101 Cedardale Road, Nestleton, Ontario L0B 1L0 (905) 986-0044


email: bob_broadstock@hotmail.com


VICE-PRESIDENT


Erik Lehtinen RR #2,


Uxbridge, ON L9P 1R2


(905) 852-5245


Greg Watson 785 Hwy 7A,


Bethany, ON L0A 1A0 (705) 277-0248


Doug Cheetham


32 Talbot St., Brampton, ON L6X 2P5 (905) 796-9640


Rene Hunderup


P.O. Box 310, Station Main, King City, ON L7B 1A6 (905) 886-7886


Steve Hunter


231485 County Road 24, Grand Valley, Ontario L6X 2P5 • (519) 928-5209


G.A.T.E.S Program Launches in Ontario


nity to get racetrack oriented training before embarking on careers in the thoroughbred and quarter horse racing industries. While there are programs like the “Groom One” program offered by Equine Guelph, which is focused on giving newcomers to the horse industry entry level skills, Kristi’s goal is to teach proper horsemanship relevant to the racing industry in a safe environ- ment so that horse savvy students will have racing industry specific skills.


“The idea came to me when I started asking people within the indus- try how they got started,” explained Kristi. “Most of them came to it with horse experience, but with little or no experience working with racehorses. Many found it to be a difficult transi- tion that was, at times, bordering on dangerous. It seemed that everyone was getting into the industry “by acci- dent”, through a person they knew or through a friend of a friend, and I


thought maybe it was time to offer a program that would allow people to make the transition purposely, as a career path, beginning with the proper training.”


Kristi grew up showing horses, primarily in eventing, and has been coaching riders for 18 years. Her main exposure to quarter horse racing came a few years ago when she received a call about stall rentals. “Norm Picov called one day about stall rentals, and it wasn’t too long after that that Bill Cruwys and his daughter Rachel moved their horses in.” Kristi currently shares the facility with Ajax Downs regulars jockey Brian Bell and outrider Katie Browne, who will aid Kristi in teaching riders.


The facilities at G.A.T.E.S give Kristi the opportunity to offer lessons and courses year round. “We have a 70 X 175 indoor arena, an outdoor sand ring, 140 acres and 40 stalls. As we evolve we plan to add a track”, said Kristi. “As an added bonus, G.A.T.E.S. will offer rooms to rent so students will


have the opportunity to live on site should they reside somewhere outside of travelling range.


Plans for the G.A.T.E.S program include private riding lessons aimed at teaching riders the skills necessary to become safe and successful exercise riders, as well as weeklong courses geared not only toward teaching riding but also teaching students about race track practices and racetrack specific horsemanship. “We are planning on having our first course the week of January 23rd, everyday from 9 am to 4 pm, with riding twice a day and in barn horsemanship,” said Kristi. “We will cover racetrack ‘etiquette’, bandaging, safe handling; all the things a person needs to know about working with racehorses. I also want to teach people to focus on professionalism; to look the part and act the part.“


For more information on the G.A.T.E.S programs email info@gatesontario.com or visit their website at www.gatesontario.com.


Notice to the Industry


Additional information - 2011 Ontario Racing Program With the release of the Director’s Decision on the 2011 Ontario Racing


Program, the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) committed to providing infor- mation to the racing community on an ongoing basis. The initial details of the implementation stage of the 2011 Ontario Racing Program were released in a Notice to the Industry distributed on December 17, 2010. The ORC today pro- vided additional information summarizing progress this week. As advised in that Notice, an ORC implementation team is moving for- ward with the technical details of the program. While working to chart and define specific goals and targets, the team will be in contact with industry stake- holders and review and monitor the input received. Team members will be able to respond to the questions and comments of horse people and racetracks. The ORC notes that many comments posted on industry web sites express some concerns on how the program will unfold. Others are uncomfortable with moving away from the ‘tried and true ways’ of the traditional local track per- spective. This is understandable and the ORC wishes to remind the racing com- munity that these ‘provincial approach’ modifications were formulated to improve racing opportunities.


The ORC recognizes that some people in racing will need ample time to adjust and take advantage of these improvements. For that reason, 2011 will be a transition year for horse racing in Ontario. Further modifications and enhance- ments to racing will be introduced on a phased-in basis.


The meeting with Race Secretaries referred to in the December 17 Notice will take place in early January, and will focus on the topic of race conditions, preference, as well as related purse discussions. Secretaries will be asked for their comments on the best way to implement these changes. By mid-January, there will be a meeting of representatives from horse peo- ple’s associations, racetracks, and breeders – as well as OHRIA and Standard- bred Canada – to review the implementation progress to date. It is expected that these implementation sessions will take place quarterly to advance the delivery of this provincial approach to racing.


John L. Blakney Executive Director


Brian Farell


C2130 - Hwy #7, RR #1, Sunderland, ON L0C 1H0 (705) 357-3214


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