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Courtesy Bill Vassar
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The Association Working for the Thoroughbred Racehorse Trainer
The California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) is a nonprofit, mutual benefit corporation representing the interests of over 800 licensed California thoroughbred racehorse trainers. The CTT is recognized as the official thoroughbred trainer’s organization by the California Horse Racing Board.
The CTT’s predecessor organization, the National HBPA, was founded in 1940 to provide assistance to owners, trainers, and stable employees “in times of illness, adversity, or sudden disaster.” The CTT was established in 1995 to exclusively represent all California thoroughbred trainers and their stable employees.
The CTT has never forgotten its original purpose, and has greatly expanded its scope of activities.
What Does the CTT Do?
The Association represents trainers on several fronts:
- before the California Horse Racing Board
- in the California legislature
- in negotiating sessions with each racetrack regarding
- overall track safety
- condition books and field size
- stable area conditions for workers and horses
- backstretch security
- with organizations representing various racing interests, such as the TOC (Thoroughbred Owners of California) and CTBA (California Thoroughbred Breeders Association), etc.
- administers a Cash Balance Pension Plan for trainers, as well as their backstretch personnel
- administration of the California Horsemen’s Safety Alliance (CHSA) & California Thoroughbred Business League (CTBL) for reduction of industry workers’ compensation premiums
- works in conjunction with the CTHF (California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation), which administers an assistance program for trainers, backstretch personnel and their immediate family members. A myriad of health and welfare benefits are provided, such as medical, dental, and optical services
- conducts and supports continuing education programs/seminars for the membership
- conducts English classes and other educational programs for backstretch workers
- operates a recreation and sports program for backstretch employees
- it conducts programs for legal immigration and naturalization (H-2B Visa Program) for backstretch workers
- supports the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America program
- provides members with the CTBA California Thoroughbred, a quarterly magazine containing industry news pertinent to California horsemen
- promotes horse racing to the general public
- supports scientific research
- is your information and referral resource for
- Employer/employee labor rules & regulations
- track condition books & stall applications
- pedigree and performance reports at reduced cost
- for any questions or assistance needed concerning the California racing industry
- provides free notary services
- … and much more!
How is the CTT Organized?
The state of California is divided (just south of Fresno) into two administrative areas-Southern and Northern California.
The CTT is headed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected by vote of the membership. The Board must include at least three trainers from Northern California and three trainers from Southern California. Regular Board meetings are held monthly in Southern California.
Northern California has a Liaison Committee which is responsible for the Northern California tracks and activities. It meets in the Bay Area.
The Board members are elected for a three-year term. These Board members are all non-paid volunteers, who serve on various committees such as Condition Book/Field Size, Legislative, Medication, Membership Communication, Track/Backstretch, etc., as well as providing input on matters of general interest at the regular Board meetings.
A staff is available in Northern and Southern California to manage the Board’s projects and provide assistance and information to the membership at their request.
Every licensed trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses becomes a member automatically when starting a horse for the first time. There are no applications to complete or dues to pay!
You are invited to drop in to the CTT offices to meet the staff and learn more about the current “hot” projects, and how you can get involved in helping improve the industry.
On-Going Projects:
Other programs offered by the CTT include:
- ensuring that liability insurance is provided for eligible members who meet policy requirements
- regularly distributing vital industry-related information to membership via mail, e-mail, fax, flyers
- monitoring and planning for future trends in thoroughbred horse racing
- support of periodic major studies of the contributing factors of racing injuries
Visit our website: http://www.caltrainers.org/
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