Virginia Harness Horseman Association
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 4, 2021
The meeting was called to order by president, Scott Woogen at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Those present by phone were: Scott Woogen, Betsy Brown, Anne McDonald, Wilma Foley, Tyler Shehan, Jan Nofsinger, Stacey McLenghan, Charles Robbins, Randy Jackson and Debbie Warnick. A quorum was declared.
MEETING MINUTES: The minutes from the previous meeting, January 14, 2021, were approved as written.
TREASURER REPORT: The treasurer’s report from April 2021 was reviewed and approved as written.
OLD BUSINESS:
Item 1. Race Meet Update
Debbie gave an update on what the planning committee has been working on for the race meet. As of this time, it is anticipated that Covid restrictions will be relaxed and spectators will be allowed. Plans are being made based on the assumption. We have increased the number of stalls to 250. This should alleviate the stabling issues that occurred last year. We are planning to have three Own A Horse for a day events, weiner dog races, veterans day, pink power day and the autumn fest.
Item 2. Race Meet purses
Based upon the current purse fund and the projected income for the summer from the OTB and simulcast locations, it looks like we will be able to maintain the purse amounts for the fair, overnight races and breeders’ fund races at the levels they were last year. We will revisit this as the meet gets closer.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item 1. Certified Residency Program Update
Debbie reported that the Certified Residency program had fifty two 2019 foals register. Twenty of these foals, were not born in Virginia. They will begin racing this year. There were forty nine 2020 foals register so far. Sixteen of these were not born in Virginia. Scott asked everyone to encourage people to participate in this program so that it can be continued.
Item 2. Colonial Downs Update
Scott reported on conversations with Colonial Downs about possibly racing there. Colonial has someone reviewing the possibility of installing a half mile track in the infield or a five eighths track in one of the parking lots. They are going to schedule a meeting when they have some solid plans to present to us. There was discussion about exploring opportunities to race at other county fair locations. Anyone knowing of possible locations was told to present a proposal and we will take it to the VEA.
As there was no further business to be discussed, Scott Woogen adjourned the meeting at
5:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Warnick
Executive Director