Ontario Group Forms Advisory Committee

The members of the newly formed Horse People's Alliance of Ontario, which represents Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Quarter Horse industry stakeholders throughout the Canadian province, have taken another step forward by forming an advisory committee.

Horsemen who gathered for a meeting at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Ontario Nov. 10, along with others who participated via a live stream on Facebook, selected Thoroughbred representatives Brian O'Leary and Garland Williamson, Dr. Paul Brandt and Mark Williams from the Standardbred industry, and Quarter horse representative Rene Hunderup for the leadership positions.

"I was very pleased with the attendance, participation, and nature of the questions. They were incisive. There were about 60 people from all three breeds in attendance and a lot of them are new to the group. Many more from around the province tuned into the broadcast on Facebook.," said Toronto attorney Frank Roth, who is spearheading the group and originated the idea for the coalition. "There is unity."

The HPAO was put together in October to empower advocacy and representation with the government and the racetracks by joining together to meet their common challenges.

Roth explained that in the past, the division among the breeds has worked against all horsemen because there was no unity of advocacy. He added that it is vital there be a single voice speaking for the thousands of industry stakeholders in the province and that they have a seat at the table.

"I think it's important that the government of Ontario recognize that there are a few points that horse people have, that are unique to their side of the equation (and) are different from racetracks or other entities," he said.

At the Thursday meeting there was discussion about the current state of the industry, the outgoing gaming commission, and what plans and draft proposals for the next few years they want to take to the provincial government, according to Roth.

"The consensus of the meeting is that there is no reason to make haste to restructure the industry. There is no particular reason to force any kind of suggested solution on any party without more reflection by the government," he said. "We would like to be able to make it clear to the government that haste is not necessarily the easiest approach or the smartest approach. We would like to supply them with additional information, or emphasize information that they may already have as to what the realities are for horse people and try to get into a discussion with them."

Roth said that a non-profit corporation is being formed currently and its financing will be initially generated by supportive horsemen.

"People are anxious to move forward, and play a real and effective role as horse people in the governance of the industry, the organization of the industry, the sharing of important decision making, and making it an industry-wide effort that will benefit everyone, the racetracks, and horse people alike, and will engender a great future for what is a great sport and a great industry," he said.

No future meetings will be scheduled until more concrete proposals have been shaped.