Working Group for Safety Reins Pilot meets

Toronto, ON – A multi-breed working group, representing a cross section of the horse racing community, met recently to continue the planning and implementation of the Safety Reins Pilot Program. The pilot, announced last month by the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC), will commence January 1, 2009. The goal is to facilitate a smooth transition to the introduction of safety reins in Ontario.

The group reviewed the experience of other jurisdictions with respect to safety reins, discussed specific details, and met with manufacturers who brought samples to the meeting. The design of a user survey to monitor test comments was also discussed.

Members of the working group include:

Ontario Harness Horse Association – Jim Whelan

Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario – Sue Leslie

Standardbred Horse Owners Panel – Dave Drew

Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario – Erik Lehtinen

Trainers: Standarbred – John Kopas; Thoroughbred – Danny Vella

Racetrack Paddock Judges: Standarbred Silvia Drennan; Thoroughbred – Harold Fortune

Jockeys’ Benefit Association – Robert King Jr. & Emma Jayne Wilson

Manufacturers: Len Clements

Ontario Racing Commission: Wendy Hoogeveen, Bill Fines, Mike Brown, Fenton Platts, Dr. Greg Taylor, Dr. Bruce Duncan

Throughout the pilot program, the working group will monitor the results. At its conclusion, the group will be asked to provide a summary of the pilot and recommendations to the ORC Board, which will make a determination for the next steps in the safety rein initiative.

The following trainers have agreed to be a part of the Pilot Program to test various safety reins in training and racing situations. The results of these evaluations will be made available to all licensees upon completion of the pilot.

Standarbred Trainers: Casie Coleman, Robert Fellows, John Kopas, Kevin McMaster, Greg McNair, Jonas Stuzman

Thoroughbred Trainers: Dave Bell, Liz Charlambous, Bob Tiller, Danny Vella

Quarter Horse Trainers: Joe Tavares & Barry Wood

The ORC remains committed to improving the safety of participants and ensuring the welfare of the horse. By developing an environment where manufacturers and end users can work together, the intended result will be a product or products that meet the requirement and are suitable for general application in racing.

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