How to Become an ASHA Member or Get Involved in Horse Ownership

Updated

The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) website at asha.ab.ca is the starting point for both membership and horse ownership in Alberta's harness racing community. The site provides direct links for ASHA memberships, horse ownership information, and a "Horse Ownership" guide under its Harness Racing 101 section. To get involved, you would begin by exploring the membership page and the horse ownership resources, then contact ASHA directly if you need clarification on requirements or fees.

ASHA Membership: What the Website Offers

The ASHA homepage includes a dedicated ASHA Memberships link in its navigation. This is the primary entry point for anyone looking to join the association. The site also references an Annual General Meeting 2026 and 2026 ASHA Awards, which indicates that members participate in governance and recognition events.

Key membership-related items visible on the site:

  • ASHA Memberships – direct link from the main navigation
  • Annual General Meeting 2026 – members can attend and participate
  • 2026 ASHA Awards – recognition program for members
  • Join Newsletter – a way to stay informed about ASHA activities

The website does not publish membership fees, application forms, or eligibility criteria directly on the homepage. To get specifics, you would need to click through to the membership page or contact ASHA at [email protected].

Getting Started with Horse Ownership

ASHA's site includes a Horse Ownership section under its "Your Guide to Harness Racing" resources. This is the most direct path for someone exploring ownership. The broader educational resources include:

  • Harness Racing 101 – introductory guide to the sport
  • Learn to Wager – wagering basics
  • Horse Ownership – ownership information
  • Find a Track – locate racing venues

These resources suggest that ASHA positions itself as an educational gateway for newcomers, whether they want to own a horse, bet on races, or simply understand the sport.

Ownership Pathways to Explore

Based on the site structure, someone interested in ownership would typically:

  1. Review the Horse Ownership guide under Harness Racing 101
  2. Check the Breeding section for information on stallions, foals, and mares
  3. Look at the Yearling Sale (the site references a 2026 Yearling Sale and a 2024 Yearling Sale catalogue)
  4. Contact ASHA directly for guidance on costs, partnerships, and licensing

The site also lists Breeders Committee and Stallions pages, which are relevant if you are considering breeding rather than buying.

Racing and Wagering Resources

If your interest leans toward watching or wagering rather than owning, ASHA provides:

  • Race Calendar – Events – schedule of races
  • Stakes – stakes eligibility, ABSS Super Finals, and 4-Year-Old Stake Nominations
  • Track On 2, Century Downs, and Century Mile – links to schedule, live racing, replays, entries, and programs
  • Off Track Betting Locations – where to wager away from the track
  • Wagering Terms and Wager Online – betting terminology and online wagering access

The site also features Meet Our Drivers profiles (Logan Gillis, Brandon Campbell, Jamie Gray, Phil Giesbrecht, Nathan Sobey, Mike Hennessy, James Junquist, Preston Shaw) and a Horsemen's Bookkeeper link, which is relevant for those already involved in the industry.

Payment and Administrative Information

ASHA provides an e-Transfer Payment Information page, which suggests that payments for memberships, stakes, or other fees can be made electronically. The site also links to a Fifteen (15) Day Credit Application and a 2024 Yearling Sales Catalogue as PDFs.

For direct inquiries, ASHA's contact details are:

Practical Steps to Get Involved

If you want to move from browsing to participating, here is a workable sequence:

  1. Visit asha.ab.ca and click ASHA Memberships to review any available membership information
  2. Explore Horse Ownership under the Harness Racing 101 section
  3. Check the Race Calendar to attend a live event and see the sport in person
  4. Contact ASHA at [email protected] with specific questions about membership fees, ownership costs, or licensing requirements
  5. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on yearling sales, stakes deadlines, and AGM dates

The website does not publish membership pricing or detailed ownership cost breakdowns, so direct contact is necessary for those specifics. What the site does provide is a clear organizational map: membership, ownership, racing, wagering, and breeding are all represented as distinct areas with their own resources.