Yesterday afternoon at 4:30pm, I received a phone call from our lobbyist with an update for HRBC and HPBA, on the status of our request for funding assistance from the provincial government for the 2021 racing season. Our request has been reviewed by the minister, since our presentation is a very detailed one it has obviously created several questions that require very detailed explanations, from both breeds. We are working as expediently as possible to get our answers to the questions. We hope to have a response completed for the government finished and submitted in the next few days.

Since we have not yet received a positive response for funding we are now unfortunately forced to cancel the first two weeks of February, the 4 deleted race days along with the 4 days from January will be added to the end of our spring meet. This cancellation for the first two weeks of February would mean that our first race day for now would be Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

As we had previously requested we would have hoped people and certain members would not have chosen to use social media to voice their concerns and opinions. The time they spend doing this would be far better spent in writing constructive letters to their individual MLA’s. The damage done by being critical of all the segments of our business can only hurt at this stage, especially as negotiations are ongoing.

Your patience has been appreciated and I can understand any and all frustrations. I understand your options are limited. I can only tell you that both breeds are working diligently as possible to achieve our goal of  full  race meet for 2021. We will get any new information to you as soon as we receive moving forward.

Sincerely,

Nigel Holmes

HOW TO PURCHASE A MICROCHIP READER:

Breeders and members of SC will be able to buy scanners - there are two available to select from - directly from SC at a discounted price.

The Universal HomeScan Reader is the size of a cell phone and will read and display the microchip number and temperature of the equine, and requires 2 AA batteries. This scanner will be available for purchase by SC members for $80, plus shipping and applicable taxes, and $95 for non-members, plus shipping and applicable taxes.

The Universal WorldScan Reader Plus offers faster microchip detection, USB or wireless Bluetooth connectivity. It's designed for increased durability and protection against moisture, longer battery life, sleek contoured design and comes with a protective storage case. It reads the microchip number and temperature on its display and the USB and Bluetooth interfaces allow for easy electronic transfer of microchip ID codes to your phone or any computer.

The Reader Plus is priced at $375 for SC members, plus shipping and applicable taxes, or $450 for non-members plus shipping and applicable taxes.

If you wish to purchase a scanner, contact Linda Bedard at Standardbred Canada at (905) 858-3060 x 238 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Standardbred Canada does have the Microchip App available for download on a mobile device, this App is to find the identity of the horse, the App is free to download and to use. The Universal WorldScan Reader comes with software that can be downloaded for free, this allows you to change the scanner settings, turn on and off the Bluetooth, and can read the memory of the scanner. We do not have a software program that can record information on the horse and vet records at this time.

https://standardbredcanada.ca/notices/11-15-19/check-chip-get-scs-microchip-app.html