The Ohio HBPA provides a number of benefits for its members. As a benevolent, trade, service and governmental affairs association, the Ohio HBPA is involved in many facets of Thoroughbred racing. Members interested in participating in or receiving any of these benefits should contact the main Business Office, their local Field Office or a member of the Board of Directors.
Personal Financial Assistance
Temporary financial assistance is available to members, their spouses and children, former members and licensed stable personnel who are immediate need.
- Benevolence requests must be made by application at a HBPA office.
- Benevolence requests must be approved by the Board of Directors.
- Benevolence generally is applied to an obligation owed by a member to a vendor (utility company, landlord etc.).
- In limited circumstances, benevolence can be provided for medical bills that are not covered through the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Health Fund.
Health, Vision and Dental Coverage
The Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Health Fund (THHF) provides health, vision and dental coverage for trainers and their direct family members, former trainers and their employees. While THHF is a separate organization from the Ohio HBPA, it is closely affiliated with it. THHF is not an insurance company but a benevolent association. Trainers and their employees are REQUIRED to carry their own catastrophic medical and hospitalization insurance in order to qualify for THHF benefits.
- Applications and information on THHF programs can be picked up at any HBPA office. Certain requirements for time licensed, number of starts and time employed must be met.
- Individuals eligible under the plan are limited to $6,500 total benevolence per year. Individuals with dependents under Class I or Class III of the plan are limited to $11,000 in total benevolence per year. Additional coverage limitations for certain covered categories are listed below.
- Dental care, if covered, $1,200 per year
- THHF will pay 50% of drug prescription costs up to $1,500 per year
- $350 is available every other year for vision care
- Chiropractor are covered up to $800 per year
- THHF will pay up to $500 per year for home care and ambulance
- Medical Equipment and Physical Therapy are covered up to $1,000 per year.
- Diagnostics are covered up to $2,000 per year and pregnancy is covered up to $1,500 per year.
- This is a summary of the THHF plan benefits and is not intended to give all details of the Plan. The Plan document and not this summary is the official document which controls, rights, benefits and obligations of the THHF,
Social and Family Events
The Ohio HBPA sponsors several social and family events each year at each of the three Thoroughbred race tracks in the state. Because of large donations from the HBPA budget, these events are put on at minimal or no cost to members who choose to participate.
- Several events are held for the membership at Belterra Park each year. Including a family fun day and picnic at the Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati. In the early fall HBPA sponsors a dinner/dance cruise on a river boat down the Ohio River.
- Every summer the HBPA members at Thistledown are treated to a family day of rides and fun at Cedar Point Amusement Park. Each year HBPA sponsors a dinner/dance in the Cleveland area.
- A dinner/dance is held each spring for HBPA members at Mahoning Valley Race Course.
- Working with the Chaplaincy Committees at each track, HBPA sponsors kids days and holiday dinners at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter for HBPA members.
Horse Information
For a minimal fee, all offices of HBPA can get printouts of race records and pedigrees on horses throughout the United States. This information is helpful to members wishing to claim, sell or purchase a Thoroughbred horse.
Racing Information
All offices of HBPA get overnights and programs for upcoming races. Members should stop in at their local HBPA Field Office to receive this information. Other publications on races throughout the country are also available at Field Offices.
Membership Meetings
Regular meetings of HBPA members are generally held each month at each Thoroughbred track in Ohio during meets. These meetings are designed to bring the membership up to date on issues impacting the horse industry, events happening in the association and progress in government affairs matters. They also provide opportunities to discuss local track conditions and policies between the leaders of the association and the membership. Any member of the association is welcome to attend these meetings.
Chaplaincy Program
The Ohio HBPA supports the efforts of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America. Ministers are available at all three tracks to provide spiritual, moral and psychological support for personnel on the backside.