USTA committees meet

The Executive and Finance Committees of the U.S. Trotting Association met in Columbus, Ohio this past weekend to discuss the status of several projects and issues. The Executive Committee, which is comprised of one representative from each of the USTA's districts, plus some of the association's elected officers, meets twice per year to hear reports from the USTA staff, and to advise management regarding such things as association policies.

Both committees approved increased funding for both the Standardbred Investigative Services (SIS) and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC).

The Standardbred Investigative Services provides investigative and information services and resources to the Standardbred racing industry. SIS addresses the actions of participants in harness racing that compromise and adversely affect the integrity of racing and the business interests of capital investors.

The RMTC consists of 23 racing industry stakeholders and organizations that represent Thoroughbred, Standardbred and American Quarter Horse racing. The organization works to develop, promote and coordinate, at the national level, policies, research, and educational programs that seek to ensure the fairness and integrity of racing, the health and welfare of racehorses and participants, and protect the interests of the betting public.

The committees approved to increase USTA’s financial support for the RMTC from $15,000 per year to at least $100,000.

The Executive Committee also discussed and approved the following issues:

Continue to promote alternate uses of Standardbreds after their racing careers are over.

Increase the visibility of the sport through the use of print/media advertisements featuring high profile individuals serving as spokespersons.

Planning a session on the East Coast for certification of racing officials. Currently this certification is only done in Louisville, Ky., and Tucson, Ariz. An East-Coast session would be in a location that would better reflect where USTA membership is located. This will be done in conjunction with the University of Louisville.

No rule changes or by-law changes are acted upon by these committees; that process will take place at the USTA's annual meeting, this coming March. (USTA)

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