Berringer Steps Down After 23 Years on CTHS Board

Peter Berringer, president of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Ontario, has elected to step down after serving 23 years on the board of directors, the organization announced Jan. 4.

"After considerable thought and with great mixed feelings, I feel it is now best for me to move on, allowing a new vision to guide and represent the breeders of Ontario," Berringer stated in a letter to board members. "I have other opportunities I wish to pursue and spend more time with family while dedicating more time to my training business and enjoying my farm."

CTHS lauded Berringer for being an approachable leader who built the needed relationships to have CTHS Ontario maintain its presence at Woodbine, which supported CTHS by hosting the sales twice a year. He also served during some tumultuous times for the Ontario breeding industry. Ontario Racing was formed during his tenure and had its funding taken from the CTHS Ontario Division. Also, when the Sales Pavilion was no longer the home of the CTHS Office/CTHS National offices, Berringer led the discussions with Woodbine to continue their operations and provide a venue to host the annual sales.

"During this critical and transformative period as president, I am proud of the many achievements for Ontario breeders that the board has been able to achieve," Berringer said.

When asked of what have liked to have accomplished that he did not during his time in office, Berringer said:

"There are many continuous and ongoing breeder issues needing to be addressed from breeding, selling, and racing financial incentives; growing and improving industry awareness; to employment and horse welfare for the industry to be sustainable and flourish. However, the main issue of significance to me was discovering and trying to secure the Pari-Mutuel Tax Reduction funding. It was to be paid directly to the CTHS for the breeders of Ontario, with this issue now very controversial and a divisive topic, but would be a game-changer for Ontario breeders, creating significantly more available funding dedicated to breeder incentives and awards.

"It would be my hope that the newly elected board continues to thoroughly investigate the PMTR funding issue, what I contend is owed to the breeders of Ontario going forward."

As the new board is established, Berringer will prepare for the upcoming racing and breeding season. He is presently exploring other opportunities to continue to realize his passion for ensuring the breeders and racing participants are well-represented in the industry.

The Ontario CTHS thanked Berringer for his "tremendous commitment to the breeders" on behalf of its membership in its announcement. Berringer said he will offer any assistance needed to the new board.

"I have gained many hours of available time as I won't be the Breeder's representative on six additional boards and industry committees and assisting in managing the day-to-day activities at the CTHS Ontario office," he said.