Standardbred Racing Welcome Back

On alert !!!!

Strangles | Equine Disease Communication Center The upper respiratory disease commonly referred to as strangles is caused by Streptococcus equi subsp equi. Strangles is spread from horse to horse through direct contact. Horses can also contract the disease by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. The disease is highly infectious.

To say that I am shocked and amazed would be an understatement
I got an audience yesterday with the board of COSA.

I asked the question of why this board would refuse a horseman of any creed, denomination or class, from being a member of the THE association that claims to represent horsepeople who race at Ontario tracks ?

The answer I got was one for the books!!

The president (Bill Odonnell) spoke first, and informed me (a member of COSA) that nor he or the board of directors could say anything in regards to my question, but pointed to Dave Drew, and stated that Dave was not a director and could speak to what I asked!!

Then Mr Drew , in his capacity, as speaker for the board, informed me that the board would invoke the corporation act of Ontario and Canada
He followed that with some lines out of the corporation act of Ontario and Canada and told me that a member (me) was not entitled to ask the board of directors any questions pertaining to this subject
Nor was the board under any obligation to tell a member (me) anything that the board did or was doing
So, long story short, I asked why we (COSA) are so secretive in its workings
After all, it’s public funds that flow to our association that provide ‘All’ horsemen and women alike with insurance to race at Ontario tracks and health benefits as well!

I hoped to have a frank discussion with this board, but not only did not one director speak to me at this meeting, after I said hello to each of them and apologized for blowing up their phones to get this audience, to ask this question, Not one of them could look at me as I sat in bewilderment

What the hell has happened, for me to be met with such saddening silence!!

Who or what is our industry horse person’s association representing?