The United States Trotting Association,
representing 24,847 owners, breeders, trainers and drivers, and
Harness Tracks of America, representing 35 major harness tracks in
North America and their thousands of employees, have joined the
National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s group purchasing program.
Under the plan, USTA and HTA will be offering Members’ Perks that
will provide significant savings to their individual members.
Effective immediately, those associated with USTA
and HTA will be able to enjoy sharp discounts on a diverse selection
of products including Dodge cars and trucks, John Deere tractors and
other equipment, FedEx delivery service, Sherwin-Williams Paints,
OfficeMax supplies, NetJets, Presort Services, Daktronics, Lexmark
inkjet and laser printers, and Hallway Feeds.
USTA president Phil Langley and HTA president
Jeff Smith, jointly announcing the affiliation and partnership, said
the agreement has the potential to provide hundreds of thousands of
dollars in savings to those making purchases under the program. NTRA
Purchasing President Joe Morris said the addition of USTA and HTA
"will significantly strengthen the collective buying power of NTRA
Purchasing and allow us to generate even more savings for the horse
industry."
NTRA Purchasing has generated $107 million in
sales and $25 million in savings to the equine industry since its
inception in 2002. Last year alone, its sales figures topped $60
million. The American Quarter Horse Association and the United
States Equestrian Federation also are members of the NTRA group
purchasing program.
Details of participation in Members’ Perks are
being provided to all members of USTA and HTA.
HTA ADDS TWO NEW MEMBERS
Western Fair Raceway in London, Ontario, and
Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack in Chester, PA, now are
members of Harness Tracks of America, bringing the association’s
membership to 35 tracks and racing organizations. Hugh Mitchell,
chief operating officer of Western Fair Association, will represent
Western Fair on HTA’s board of directors and Anne Allman, who is
supervising construction and organization of the new Harrah’s track
in Chester, will be the HTA director for that operation. HTA
president Jeff Smith said the additions "add new strength and vigor
to HTA," and HTA welcomes both organizations and their directors to
the HTA family of tracks.
