The president and two members of the Mountaineer Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association who were suspended March 17 have been reinstated pending an April 8 court hearing.
Mountaineer HBPA board members during a meeting voted to suspend the organization’s president, Jami Poole; second vice president John Baird; and board member Wynn Jolley. The three men weren’t told why they were suspended and subsequently took legal action.
Hearings on the suspensions were scheduled by the Mountaineer HBPA board for March 30, but they weren’t held, Poole said April 1. Poole said a judge issued a stay.
Poole, elected president in 2008, confirmed he was reinstated and currently serving as president.
More information will be forthcoming after the hearing, Poole said. Baird, who earlier said he was taken by surprise when he was suspended, didn’t comment further.
A message left at the Mountaineer HBPA office wasn’t immediately returned. The organization represents horsemen at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in West Virginia.