The Welfare Benefit Trust Program provides funds to help owners and trainers cover medical, dental, vision, prescription, audiology and chiropractic bills.
WV Racing Commission Retirement Plan for Backstretch Personnel
The WV Racing Commission Retirement Plan for Backstretch Personnel provides retirement funds for trainers and backstretch workers. Applications are taken in the spring of every year for qualification in the previous calendar year.
Trainer qualifications: Trainers must have a minimum of 18 starts at a WV racetrack in the benefit year. If the trainer has more than 18 starts, 75% of them must be in WV. Additional qualifications may apply if the trainer has more than 100 WV starts. If you have questions regarding qualifications, please contact the HBPA office.
Backstretch worker qualifications: The plan is open to assistant trainers, grooms, exercise riders, hot walkers and pony people. Backstretch workers must provide W-2 or 1099 verifying $7500 in income from a WV licensed trainer to qualify.
Application period for this year has closed. Check back in April for new application forms.