MAY 2014 THE RIDER/ 5


OHRIA Responds to Auditor General Report


The Ontario Horse Racing Industry


Association (OHRIA) was not surprised by the findings contained in the Auditor General’s Report on the Ontario Lottery and Gaming’s (OLG’s) Modernization Plan considering the devastation the horse racing and breeding industry has endured since the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program (SARP). “It is troubling when your own gov-


ernment knowingly takes steps to devas- tate a thriving industry especially one that is so important to rural Ontario and the Province’s GDP,” states Sue Leslie, President and Chair of OHRIA, “Our industry has lost more than 9000 jobs and counting, and is still struggling to survive due to the uncertainty of the long term survival of the industry.” In large part it was the support and


help from the opposition parties in the legislature that gave the industry the attention it needed to convince govern- ment to re-think their decisions involving the horse racing industry. Around this time last year, OHRIA was finally given an opportunity by the newly sworn-in Premier, Kathleen Wynne, to bring forth the industry’s message of distress caused by her predecessor. To her credit Premier Wynne recog-


nized the importance of the horse racing and breeding industry and has taken


Member Advisory -


2015 Equine Canada Rule Change


Proposals are due May 31, 2014


Ottawa, ON - It is the right of every mem- ber of Equine Canada (EC) to propose amendments to the rules, subject to the cur- rent policies, procedures and schedules. EC members are invited to submit


suggestions for 2015 rule changes. The 2015 Rule Change Proposal (RCP) submis- sion form is available on the EC Website (EC Rule Change Proposals). All RCP’s will be reviewed by the


National Rules Committee and the Disci- pline/Breed Rules Committees. RCP’s will then be posted on the


Equine Canada website beginning Sept. 1, 2014 to allow for a 30-day member review. During this time members are encouraged to read the proposals and offer comments. The deadline for member comments is Sept. 30, 2014. The National Rules Committee and


the respective Discipline Rules Committees will consider pertinent public comments and modify/correct/withdraw any RCP’s requiring attention prior to Oct. 15, 2014 Finalized rule changes will be posted


on the EC website by Dec. 1, 2014 to be effective Jan. 1, 2015. Please contact Kari MacGregor at


competitions@equinecanada.ca with any comments or questions regarding the Equine Canada rule process.


strong steps to ensure its survival however the delay in progress of integration into the OLG’s overall gaming strategy is limiting the vision and success of her plan. OHRIA intends to look forward and contin-


ue to find solutions for the industry. “The industry is in a better place than one year ago but there is still much, much more to be done with integration being number one on the list,” commented Leslie, “It would appear that there is a disconnect between the OLG’s and


OHRIA’s interpretation of integration into the gaming strategy. However we will continue to trust the Premier’s promise for integration and will remain ready to engage the OLG in mean- ingful, progressive dialogue at their first oppor- tunity.” OHRIA will also continue to assist the


horse racing and breeding industry and Govern- ment, working with the Premier’s appointed Director of OHR, John Snobelen, to address all issues which are hampering the industry’s


efforts to thrive and return to the world class industry we once were. With the talent and diversity of the many


people working within this industry, we need to use our assets to find innovative ways to contin- ue to move forward. We have proven, support- ed by the auditor general’s report, that the horse racing and breeding industry provides a substan- tial contribution to our Province and with the prospect of integration will be a respected part- ner in gaming.


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