The  OBJECT of the Society shall be to encourage and ensure co-operative effort in all matters pertaining to the production and improvement of the Standardbred Horse in the Province of Alberta, and to co-operate with the Associations and Societies of other Provinces in the Dominion of Canada and States of the United States of America/or other Associations in other Countries..
The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) was formed to represent and protect the best interests of Standardbred industry participants and bring about a closer, more understanding relationship among members, racetracks, racing associations, governing bodies and the public.

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NEWS AND UPDATES IN THE INDUSTRY

Happy Family Day

Please note that the ASHA Airdrie Office will be  closed  in observance of Family Day on Monday February 17th.  

2020 ASHA AWARDS - Tickets

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The 2020 ASHA Awards tickets are now available for $50 each through the ASHA Staff. Please contact Fred, Colleen or Michelle to purchase your ticket(s) . Payment can be made via cash, cheque or e-transfer. (Sorry NO Visa/MC/ or debit). Tickets are limited , so call early!

Date: March 28th, 2020
Venue: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino

Cocktails at 6:00 pm
Dinner at 7:00 pm

ASHA MIXED SALE ENTRIES

Here is a list of horses that ASHA has purchased at the Winter 2020 Speed Sale in Ohio and will be selling at the February 22nd Mixed Sale.

HOST TRACKS SET FOR 2020 DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

​Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce the host tracks and dates for the 2020 Regional Driving Championships and National Driving Championship which will ultimately determine Canada’s representative to the 2021 World Driving Championship for harness racing....read on

2020 STAKES GUIDE

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​The 2020 ASHA Stakes Guide and Stallion Directory is off to the printers. For those with computer skills you don't need to wait!
The Stallions are already listed with their standing details on our Stallions page and if you click on the image on the left, you will be taken to our stakes page where you can peruse the Stakes Guide.

HORSE RACING 101

ATTENTION BACKSTRETCH MEMBERS!!
 
Here is a great way to get some of your friends who are newer to the racing world a great deal and some great insight into parts of what your obsession (cough cough! -  career) is all about!

WHEN: Sunday March 1st, at 11:00 am
WHERE:  Century Downs Racetrack and Casino

Century Downs is hosting this event for the incredible price of $30.00!  You get a delicious brunch....plus a workshop into aspects of Standardbred racing.
WHAT A INCREDIBLE VALUE!

The workshop includes:
  • Veterinary Care
  • Breeding and Ownership
  • Driver/Groom Information Session
  • After Racing Careers for Standardbred Horses
  • Betting Basics
  • On Track Demonstration Mile
  • Photo Ops with Race Bikes and Jog Carts
 
Limited tickets are available :
 
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE>>  https://www.showpass.com/horse-racing-101/ 

STAKE PAYMENTS DUE!

The following 4 STAKES Nomination fees are due February 15, 2020, payable to Standardbred Canada
Stakes Name
Nomination
Definition
Purse
Declaration
Late Nomination/
​Supplement
Gord & Illa Rumpel Memorial
$500
Divisions
EST. $125,000
$750
$4250 includes declaration
Ralph Klein Memorial
$500
​Divisions
​EST. $125,000
​$750
$4250 includes declaration​
Don Byrne Memorial
$500
​Divisions
​EST. $125,000
​$750
$4250 includes declaration
​WCPD
$500
Divisions
​EST. $125,000
​$750
​$4250 includes declaration

Kelly's Star Shining Bright

"It's a little bit more of a smaller pond but you can make a name for yourself, and you have a little bit more of an opportunity out there. There's a bit more pressure here in Ontario...you can hone your craft."...read on
​Courtesy Standardbred Canada

STALL APPLICATIONS for Century Downs Spring Meet 

Please READ the conditions on the reverse, complete the form for those requiring stalls at Century Downs, and return to Matt Juckich or Josh Murphy. DEADLINE is February 22nd, 2020.

CDRC Stall Ap_Spring.PDF

NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES for the 2020 ASHA Mixed Sale

Calling all horsemen! The ASHA is now accepting entries to the mixed sale happening on Saturday February 22, 2020. Once again, there will be mares purchased from the Ohio sale available and as their information becomes available it will be posted to the Mixed Sale page . If there is any horses you wish to enter in the sale please complete the application below and submit before the deadline, February 17th, 2020. 
Entry Form.PDF

​Last Call for Equine First Aid Online Course

PictureLast call for Equine First Aid online short course runs from Feb. 10-17. 15% discount for HRA licence holders. Register now at TheHorsePortal.ca/HRA
LAST CALL TO GROOMS & TRAINERS FOR EQUINE FIRST AID ONLINE COURSE
 
Whether at the track or farm, accidents and injuries can happen anywhere, at any time. When minutes count, we need to know how to make the most of every second. It is essential that everyone involved with horse racing learn how to administer first aid.
 
Never taken an online course before? No worries! No set schedule. Go online at your convenience. Course takes a common sense, practical approach to training. No prior online learning experience required.
 
STARTS NEXT MONDAY! FEB 10-17
 
15% DISCOUNT FOR LICENCE HOLDERS!
Register at www.TheHorsePortal.ca/HRA
 
Education Partners: Horse Racing Alberta and Equine Guelph

​MARES BONUS of 2019

IMPORTANT REMINDER ANNOUNCEMENT - January 7th 2020
​
To our valued Breeders:​
Mares Bonus Cheques are DELAYED this year.
The funds will not be sent to ASHA until early February. Processing the allocations takes about 2 weeks. The ASHA Office anticipates the Mares Bonus cheques of 2019 will not be ready until at LEAST mid February. We thank you for your patience and understanding.​

MARK THE DATE:

We are fleshing out the details for the 2020 ASHA Awards - Celebrating the Champions of 2019, but here are the details that we do  know - 
The date - March 28th, 2020
The location - Century Downs Racetrack and Casino!
​Further details will be posted as they become official - please stay tuned!

2019 O'Brien Winners Announced

​On Saturday, February 1, Standardbred Canada announced the winners for the 2019 O’Brien Award at the 31st edition of the annual O’Brien Awards Black Tie Gala held at the Hilton Mississauga / Meadowvale hotel in Mississauga, Ont....read on
​Courtesy Standardbred Canada

CONGRATULATIONS,  DAVID KELLY!

The 2019 O'Brien Award for Future Star went to  Dave Kelly,  of Rocky View County, AB. Well done, Dave!
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The Honourable Adam van Koerveden, MP for Milton (right) makes the O’Brien presentation to Dave Kelly. -Photo courtesy True Nature Communications

​Century Downs Hosts 2020 Opener

Harness racing returned to Century Downs Racetrack & Casino on Sunday (Jan. 26) for the first card of the 2020 race meet....read on
​Courtesy Standardbred Canada

STALL ALLOCATION FOR CENTURY DOWNS

These are the allocations from January 17 until February 29th. CHANGES PENDING March 1st Spring meet.
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Barn 1 from January 17th to February 29th
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Barn 2 starting January 17th

GET READY FOR STAKES SEASON - Here's the Schedule!

2020 Membership Renewal

ASHA memberships expire on Dec 31st, of the calendar year. Renewal notices were issued, either by e-mail or surface mail. When you receive your renewal notice, please fill in any blanks, to assure your information is up to date, and correct any incorrect information. If you have ANY questions, please call Michelle at the ASHA office.

NOTE:
There are now three different membership applications and its VERY important to complete the correct one. If you are renewing, you will receive a populated renewal form. If you renew at the track, and you do not have this populated renewal form, contact Michelle so it can be sent to Colleen to VERIFY your current information. (Submitting an application with just only your name makes it difficult to determine if your contact information has changed.) 

If you are a NEW member please print and complete this form if you are under the age of 65 AND a Canadian Resident. 
  •  A new member is defined as not having held an ASHA Membership previously
OR
  •  have not held an ASHA Membership in the past 2 years 
new_membership_form_v8.pdf

For Members who are over 65 and/or non-Canadian Residents, please complete this form:

new_membership_form_v8_overage_applicant.pdf

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Alberta Challenge of Champions ABSS SUPER FINALS

HRA HOURS of OPERATION at CENTURY DOWNS RACETRACK

For a list of OTB's in Southern Alberta, click this link ...HERE

The OFFICIAL Stakes Schedule and Calendar

Below are the OFFICIAL  Stakes Schedule and Calendar respectively.
​PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE SCHEDULE COULD CHANGE DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF ASHA
2020 Race Calendar -
click HERE  for the PDF
2020 Stakes Schedule
**As of the Board of Directors meeting conducted on October 5, 2019, it was decided that the late closure series will be reduced to 2 legs and a final in the interest of not over racing the younger horses.**

ASHA ACCEPTS
​ E-TRANSFERS

ASHA accepts payments by
e-transfer through your online banking.

You can pay your:
  • Century Downs stall rent(past due accounts only),
  • ASHA membership, etc. electronically ; the payments you would normally make to the ASHA administration office.  
  • Stallion registrations and Yearling Sale (prior to deadline)
This is not to be confused with stakes payments to Standardbred Canada, or HRA, or to Colleen Haining at theracetracks/book keepers office.

Please call the ASHA office before you make a payment to assure it's a payment we can take. 
We will advise at that time what the e-mail is to send the payment to.


PLEASE NOTE: THE ASHA CHARGES $50.00 for NSF CHEQUES!

NEEDING ACCOMMODATIONS?

ATTENTION HORSEMEN needing accommodations near Century Downs in Balzac. Great hotel rates have been secured at Days Inn off Dwight McLellan Trail for ASHA Harness Members ONLY for daily, weekly and monthly rates.

Contact COLLEEN HAINING ONLY for further information 587-877-2540 
​DO NOT CALL THEIR FRONT DESK
The Horse 

Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride,
friendship without envy, or beauty without vanity?
Here where grace is laced with muscle and strength by gentleness confined.
___

He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.
There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent;
there is nothing so quick, nothing more patient.
___

England’s past has been borne on his back.
All our history is in his industry.
We are his heirs;
He is our inheritance.

Ronald Duncan
© (Copyright of) the Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation