HBPA Election Update

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The following HBPA members submitted notarized affidavits accepting nominations:

President
Begnaud, Charles
Breaux, Sam
Chatters, Benard K.

Director-Owner
Abbott, Tom
Averett, Jr., Gerald (Dewey)
Dupre, Bobby
Early, Christine D.
Hernandez, Keith
Lamarche, Marcia
Morrell, Arthur
Necaise, Paul
Rink, Joseph

Director-Trainer
Behler, Judy
Calhoun, Bret
Cuccia, L. Jay
Ducoing, Sturges
Johnston, Edward J.
Stemmans, Don

Click here to download a copy of this notice

HBPA Election Update

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NOTICE: The nomination period for the LHBPA Elections ends on December 3rd, 2013. Nominations received as of today, November 27th, can be viewed by clicking on the link below. Nomination information will be posted each work day until nominations close.  

Click here to download the November 27th nomination list update

Click here to download the November 30th nomination list update

Click here to download the December 2nd nomination list update

Click here to download the December 3rd nomination list update (Morning)

Click here to download the December 3rd nomination list update (Afternoon)

Click here to download the final nomination list update

HBPA Election Notice

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Nominations for the March 25, 2014 Election for Board Members and President/Chairman of the HBPA.

The Nomination must be received by the deadline date of December 3, 2013.

Here is how to Nominate a Candidate for Election to the Board of Directors and for President/Chairman:

All nominations must be written, be signed, clearly identify the person or persons making the nomination, be unambiguous (clear) as to the Member or Members being nominated and must be received by TrueBallot, Inc. at the address below not later than the deadline date of December 3, 2013 for nominations in order for a nomination to be valid.

A candidate may be Nominated to run for and may only serve in one elected office.

You must send or deliver the nominations to TrueBallot, Inc and, since getting your nominations to them is your responsibility, you may wish to send them by more than one method. Their contact information for mailing and e-mailing is as follows:

Mailing Address is:
2014 LA HBPA Nomination
TrueBallot, Inc.
PO Box 9083
New Haven, CT 06532

E-Mail Address is : caleb@trueballot.com


Please help us have a good Election. Please make sure the LA HBPA Office has your correct mailing address as there will be no second ballots handed out.

Click here for a copy of this notice

Click here for a helpful nomination form you can use

Notice

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Dear: Louisiana HBPA Members

In August of 2013, the Medical Benefit Trust began distributing prescription medication cards to qualified members from Southern Scripts. These cards make it easier for you to get your prescriptions filled and also reduce your out of pocket money spent.

In some instances, the pharmacies have decided not to accept these cards. The Medical Trust is urging you to find a pharmacy that will accept the Southern Scripts cards. In the event that you decide to use a pharmacy that does not participate in this prescription medication plan, we will only reimburse you 80% of the allowable amount from Southern Scripts medication schedule, thereby reducing the amount that you will receive.

If you have not received a prescription card, please contact the nearest field office or the home office so that we may ensure that all qualified members receive a card.

Thank You,
LA Horsemen’s Medical Benefit Trust

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Claiming Crown Nomination Deadline Nears

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Claiming Crown / Blood-Horse

Date Posted: 8/29/2013 10:02:03 AM 

Trainers have until Sept. 20 to become eligible to nominate horses to the 2013 Claiming Crown to be held at Gulfstream Park Dec. 7. 

Under a system that started last year, nominated trainers then have the right to nominate horses for the eight Claiming Crown races. Those regular nominations–0.2% of each purse in the series–are due by Nov. 15. 

Supplemental nominations close Dec. 4 with a fee of 5% of the purse for the race in which a horse will be entered. 

The regular nomination fee for the five $110,000 Claiming Crown races is $220 per horse. The fee is $250 for the $125,000 Tiara and Emerald, and $400 for the $200,000 Jewel. 

For the first time, total Claiming Crown purses will be $1 million. 

To be eligible for a Claiming Crown event, a horse must have started for a claiming price since Jan. 1, 2012. Combined entry and starting fees range from $1,650-$3,000; the fees are waived for supplemental nominees. 

The 2012 Claiming Crown, the first held at Gulfstream, shattered records. The races contributed to total pari-mutuel handle of more than $12 million for the opening-day card at the Florida racetrack. 

The Claiming Crown is a joint venture of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association in conjunction with the host racetrack and horsemen's group. More information and nomination forms are available at www.claimingcrown.com.

Notices

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Fair Grounds

The Fair Grounds has asked for the following information regarding early move-in to be posted:

ATTENTION: The Fair Grounds will offer stall rental for Oct. 6-21. During this time, training will be allowed 6 days a week, with Sunday being a dark day. The number of horsemen that apply will determine the day rate, so sign up ASAP. DEADLINE Sept. 16. Contact information: Jason Boulet (504) 948-1246, (504) 948-1247, e-mail: Jason.boulet@fgno.com.

Click here to download a copy of this notice

 

Delta Downs

The move-in date for the Delta Downs 2013-2014 thoroughbred race meet is September 11, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact the Delta Downs racing office at 888-589-7223.

Click here to download a copy of this notice

REMINDER

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The Fair Grounds has requested that anyone wishing to come to the Fair Grounds for either Session 1 or Session 2 inform them of their intentions by August 15, 2013.

The Fair Grounds has offered two sessions:

Session 1: Beginning September 14, 2013, FG will open the backside for stabling purposes only at $12/day(no training).

Session 2: Beginning October 6, 2013, FG will open the backside to include stabling and training for $8/day.

If you wish to attend these sessions or have any further questions, please contact Jason Boulet at 504-948-1246.

Click here to download a copy of this notice

Letter from Louisiana HBPA Board Member Arthur Morrell

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Click here to download a copy of this letter

Reply to President Stanley Seelig’s letter dated June 15, 2013

By: Arthur Morrell 

I am one of the eleven board members of the HBPA.  I have served on every board (6) since 1993.  I served only a few months, 6 months, of the previous Board 2007-2010 because the election was proven fixed to keep some members from being reelected. 

Mr. Seelig’s letter has some truths but mostly lies or purposely not telling the horsemen the whole truth. 

I supported Stanley Seelig in his bid for the presidency nearly three years ago only because he expressed his true concern for the horsemen.  But, last week, it was confirmed that Stanley tried to sell, yes, “SELL” the presidency of your HBPA to another candidate.  The condition of the sale was that that other candidate would guarantee that when he was elected President that he would appoint Stanley as the Executive Director of our HBPA.  I realize now that that candidate had more integrity than Stanley, because he told me that he could not agree to Stanley’s proposition, so Stanley stayed in the race. 

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Letter from Louisiana HBPA President Stanley Seelig

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Click here to download a copy of this version of the letter.

Click here to download a copy of the longer detailed version of this letter.

As president of Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association 1993, Inc. (“1993, Inc.”), I’m sending this today because of concerns I have with our workers’ compensation insurance program.  Last week, the trustees of the Horsemen’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Trust (“Insurance Trust”) voted to change the agent of record with Midlands Insurance, a wholesale broker through whom the excess insurance and out-of-state coverage is obtained.   

In connection with the renewal of the workers’ compensation program for the 2013-2014 year, the trustees recently received renewal quotes.  There are two parts to a quote.  The first part consists of the premium for the excess coverage on in-state claims and the out-of-state coverage.  The second part is the fee paid to the retail broker or agent who procures the coverage.  In the past, the fee has compensated the agent or broker for the time and effort expended in obtaining the quote and negotiating the premium to an affordable level.  

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TRAO and OQHRA Create Benevolence Account for Horsemen Impacted by Oklahoma Tornado

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Click here to download a copy of this notice

In a joint statement released by the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO) and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA), the associations announced the creation of a benevolence account for horsemen impacted by the recent storms in the state.

Following is the joint statement: Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Oklahoma following this horrific event. There are many horsemen who have been affected by this tragedy and have lost everything they own. Celestial Acres, which rents out stalls to multiple trainers, took a direct hit along with the highly publicized damage at the Orr Family Farm. Both horsemen’s organizations, along with Remington Park in Oklahoma City, are working together in coordinating relief to horsemen that have been affected by the storm.

Both offices have been encouraged by the outpouring of support and offers for help from across the country; it truly displays “horsemen helping horsemen.”

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THE BIG MUDDY: FAIR GROUNDS TURF COURSE ‘BROKEN’

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The Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association is asking the Louisiana Racing Commission to conduct a review of the turf course at Fair Grounds racecourse in New Orleans, following a 2012-13 race season that saw numerous events taken off the turf and in the wake of an annual music festival that left the course a sea of mud.

Some, including former Fair Grounds owner Louie Roussel III, who had the turf course installed in 1981, have said Churchill Downs Inc. has neglected it since purchasing the track in 2004.

Click here to read the rest of this article from Paulick Report

Attention Members: House Bill 100 Defeated

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April 20, 2013 

Louisiana HBPA Members: 

I wanted to make sure you were aware that HB100 was basically defeated yesterday in Baton Rouge thanks to the wisdom of our representatives who recognize the importance and value of our industry to Louisiana.  I am certain that this is true and the effort was successful because you and many of our friends and peers, both with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred interest, took the time and initiative to contact their representatives and have their voice heard.  It was loud and clear.  Thank you for all your help and support on this very important issue.

Stanley Seelig
President, Louisiana HBPA

Click here to download a copy of this notice on letterhead.

Attention Members:

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PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TO OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 100

This bill requires monies currently dedicated and remitted directly to the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (LHBPA) , the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) , and the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBPA) to be sent to the state treasurer for deposit in the newly created Horse Industry Economic Sustainability Fund (HIES Fund).

  • This bill is unnecessary because it imposes oversight on these funds which is all ready in place.
  • The transfer of monies to the HIES Fund places those monies rightfully generated from our industry operations ( wagering, slots, and video poker from other racing facilities) under someone else’s control and may subject those monies to disbursement to others outside of racing who don’t deserve to share in these proceeds.
  • The bill also transfers monies that the LTBA and LQHBPA receive to promote programs in the breeding industry. The breeding industry has an enormous economic impact on Louisiana through Breeders’ awards, job creation, and spending.
  • The bill attacks funds that support your benefit programs. Please note that these programs go a long way to provide benefits and help those on the racetrack who cannot afford to help themselves.

HB 100 will be heard in the House Appropriations Committee on MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2013 AT 9:00AM. Representative Joe Harrison is the author of the bill. You may view this bill by clicking here.

PLEASE DO NOT DELAY IN CONTACTING ANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OR ANY LEGISLATORS TO VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO HOUSE BILL 100 AS IT CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND PURSES!!

THE FOLLOWING LINK CONTAINS THE EMAIL ADDRESSES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE. PLEASE CONTACT THEM ASAP!!!!

Please click here for a full copy of this notice along with complete representative contact information

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Attention Members

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The HBPA Medical Trust Express Scripts program will be ending on April 30, 2013.
 
As always, reimbursement for prescriptions is available for qualified members and trainer’s employees. Please submit your Pharmacy printout to the office in New Orleans for processing.
 
New Orleans office contact information is:
Address is 1535 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone Number is 504-945-1555
Fax Number is 504-945-1579
Email to gdiaz@lahbpa.org
 
The Medical Trust is working to begin a new Prescription Plan as soon as possible.
 
Click here to download a copy of this notice