The formation of a new organization, the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA), was officially
announced today.
President Bill O'Donnell stated that COSA "has been formed to represent the interests of horsepeople racing at Woodbine and Mohawk Racetracks."
Without a contract between WEG and a horsemen's association, people began to approach O'Donnell for a solution. Starting with an initial information meeting last month, the support was overwhelming in favour of O'Donnell leading the group. O'Donnell followed up on the mandate by meeting with numerous individuals to give the organization its foundation.
"In talking to the horsepeople in the area, it became clear that there was a need for a new beginning in the relationship with Woodbine Entertainment," continued O'Donnell, "and I'm thrilled to be asked to lead the charge."
The association will operate with a board of 13 directors - owners, trainers and drivers, nine of which have already been named. Those people, very well known and respected in the industry are:
• John Bax
• Randy Bennett
• Dave Drew
• Paul MacDonell
• Bill O'Donnell (President)
• Jeff Ruch
• Ben Wallace
• Jim Wellwood
• Bob Young
In the upcoming weeks, there will be a membership drive with more information on becoming a COSA member to follow. O'Donnell said that one of the key issues for the organization is to ensure that its members have access to benefits and insurance programs geared to the racing industry. He expects that there will be announcement on that issue shortly.
Let me start by saying I do
Let me start by saying I do not in any way want to offend anyone in the horse racing community. I am a fringe person at best and probably have some facts that are not quit perfect. Mr. Swinhoe does make a point but uniting the drivers to represent all horsepeople is also a losing proposition. They do put on part of the show but the other people who get these horses ready to race and the people who invest the money put on about ninety percent of the show and should have the say.
Having one association for WEG and good luck to the rest is also not a good solution. This in my opinion opens the door for all facilities to have there own association and I really don't think I have to do any extrapolations here.
I may be wrong but I thought I saw something where twenty three percent of people raced at WEG while the rest race elsewhere. Once all contracts run out at other facilities, will they want to deal with OHHA or will the process start all over again?
There needs to be one association. OHHA has done a wonderful job at looking out for it's members. They have created some wonderful programs. The problem is they have over stepped their bounds and some members have been able to manipulate the system to their advantage and it has pissed the wrong people off. It is more likened to the old country club that abids by the original rules from the 1800's when the rest of the world has changed their's to current standards. This has unfortunately created the apparent need for a new association. Never mind the logistical headache of trying to carryover peoples benefits etc. from one association to another if even the courts allow it, what happens if WEG doesn't want to deal with the new association either? Are people going to pay OHHA and COSA dues to be able to race in Ontario? Do members need to start paying into benefits all 0ver again and lose what they have invested? Will COSA provide these benefits?
The intention of all involved to create COSA is a good one. Wouldn't it have been better to go to each region, have a meeting with the OHHA members there to see if they wanted the change, shared the same vision? To show that the new association is worried about all areas and not just the Campbellville region?
The best solution would have been to disolve the current structure at OHHA and begin again. I know Mr. Odonnell tried that but with little support. I really don't think there was enough information given to members to understand what went on. The arguement can be made that people didn't show to the meetings, was every effort made to these people who race every night for a living? Did members of COSA go to meet them personally at the various training centers? Was there legal grounds to remove current OHHA members? Was there a survey or questionaire sent to all members via mail asking for their candid opinions? If this had happened, we would probably be looking at a new OHHA right now instead of the usual disfunction that seems to be the complacency in this industry and why it is where it is today. One association representing all members equally, with integrity no matter what your name or stature is what is needed. United you stand divided, you will always and have fallen.
A couple of people can't bring down the whole industry can they? So far it is 1 and O'.
i have to agree with herb, a
i have to agree with herb, a new association only for weg is not a very good solution. i like the idea that was bounced around a couple years ago of voting someone to be a racing czar, for lack of a better word, and encompassing all standardbred racing under one umbrella. that would provide a larger and stronger bargaining position would it not?
It is interesting to me that
It is interesting to me that not only the horseman are disjointed but now so are the associations that represent the horseman. A new association only for WEG??? What has always been lacking in our industry is that we are unable to provide a united front.
As I see it there appears to be only one way for the horsepeople to secure the needs of all is to unit all the drivers. These guys and gals put on the show and if they don't drive you have no racing. The demands of all horsepeople can be served by the drivers taking on a unite front for the betterment of all and for the betterment of the industry as a whole. I don't think a flegling association is the answer.