Privileges and Advantages of Membership

Members of the association can take advantage of various benefits and privileges provided. Many of these benefits also extend to the employees who work diligently on the backstretch everyday looking after the horses. Contact the HBPA Head Office for information on which benefits apply to you.

Please note a valid Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) is required to be a Member of the association and to receive benefits.

Pension Plan

• Registered Pension Plan
• Non-registered retirement allowance

Representation

• Purse negotiations
• Federal & Provincial governments
• Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) Stewards
• Ontario Racing Commissions (ORC) Hearings and Appeals
• Fort Erie and Woodbine Race Track contracts
• National & International HBPA

Owners’ Awards

• In 2010, Owners will receive a financial bonus of $1,500 for all qualifying Ontario-bred winners at Woodbine Race Track and a financial bonus of $400 at Fort Erie Race Track (with the exception of stakes races).

Educational Assistance

• Provide financial assistance to a maximum of $1,000 to a child of a member / a child of a deceased member / a child of a backstretch employee.
• Applicants may apply once per calendar year.

Education

• Skills improvement for backstretch workers
• Groom school
• Trainer and assistant trainer education and testing

Subsidized Health Insurance Plan

• Subsidized health and dental benefits for all members and their employees on the backstretch of Woodbine and Fort Erie who apply. A valid ORC license is required to participate in the health insurance plan.

Assistance

• Benevolence for family emergencies

Entertainment

• Various annual events for members and backstretch employees
• Owners’ Appreciation Days – one at each track per calendar year
• HBPA Day at the Races – two at each track per calendar year
• Holiday meals

Insurance

• Third party liability insurance
• Care, custody and control insurance
• Fire and transportation insurance
• Claiming protection insurance

Voting

• Members are invited to attend the Association’s Annual General meeting to cast their vote on issues and participate in discussions
• Members are mailed ballots for the Election of the Board of Directors. Elections take place every three years, normally in August/September with the next election taking place in 2012.

Publications

• Each of association’s backstretch offices has the following publications available for members to review – the Thoroughbred Times, The Blood-Horse, and the Daily Racing Form.
• Each of the association’s backstretch offices usually have the following publications available for pick up – The Canadian Thoroughbred Magazine, Down The Stretch Newspaper, The Horsemen’s Journal, HBPA of Ontario – Newsletter, LongRun Newsletter, Equine Guelph Newsletter, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Newsletter, Racetrack Chaplaincy Newsletter.

Employee Assistance Program

• Confidential counselling and help line

Services for Members

• Equineline products
• B1 assistance
• Fax services
• Assistance with bills of sale and various other forms
• Immigration assistance
• Free urine/blood re-evaluation for a positive test