Grove City, Ohio – Beginning tomorrow, March 1st, anyone seated behind a harness racing horse on an Ohio racetrack is required to wear a safety vest.
The directive issued by the Ohio State Racing Commission in December states that safety vests must be worn when driving or warming up horses and must be worn under racing colors.
The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association has arranged for discounts for members on two different safety vests certified for use in horse racing.
Limited size vests are still available from OHHA track reps. Discounts are available at Big Dees Tack and Vet Supply and by using the code OHA10 at Tipperary.com.
Anyone not wearing a safety vest will not be permitted on the track and will be fined. It is expected the inability to be on-track without a vest, and fines levied will make the purchase of a vest economical by comparison.
by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA