Standardbred Transition Alliance named aftercare partner of USTA

Columbus, OH – During a board meeting of the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA)on Thursday (Aug. 12), an agreement was reached with the U.S. Trotting Association (USTA) for the STA to become the official aftercare partner of the USTA.

“Through our resources at the U.S. Trotting Association, we can provide the Standardbred Transition Alliance with valuable tools to help them in promoting their mission as well as assisting them with their fundraising efforts,” said USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Tanner in making the announcement. “The USTA can utilize our staff and communications vehicles to create greater awareness for the STA and amplify their message.”

“Our entire board of directors appreciates the endorsement of the U.S. Trotting Association and the validation it provides for the Standardbred Transition Alliance within the harness racing industry and with all those who care so passionately about the aftercare of our Standardbreds,” said STA President David Reid. “We’re grateful for the expanded reach they have to assist us in delivering our message and the support of our fundraising efforts through the voluntary donation options they are providing to their members.

“Since the creation of the STA, the board has always believed that it would require a broad-based effort from within the industry to support it and this is a big step in the right direction.”

Promotional support by the USTA will include both advertising and editorial. Creation and placement of digital advertising will be available on www.ustrotting.com<www.ustrotting.com/> and www.HarnessRacingFanZone.com<www.harnessracingfanzone.com/> and its social media platforms as well as print advertising in Hoof Beats magazine and other industry trade publications. Promotional videos also will be created for websites, social media, television broadcasts and racetrack simulcasts.

The USTA will create editorial content that highlights some of the success stories on the STA accredited organizations and the horses that they provide aftercare for with placements in Hoof Beats, on the websites and social media.

There is also additional planning for the establishment of initiatives that will be “sponsored by the Standardbred Transition Alliance.”

The USTA Board of Directors, in March 2018, directed Tanner, with assistance from a steering committee comprised of Directors Don Marean, Jacqueline Ingrassia and Fred Nichols, to form the group.
While the USTA will provide promotional support and have an ex officio spot on the board, the STA operates independently of the USTA.

According to their mission statement, “the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA) is a non-profit organization with federal 501(c)(3) status whose mission is to accredit, inspect and award grants to approved organizations that acquire, rehabilitate, train and re-home Standardbreds.

For more information on the STA, visit their website by clicking here.

From the USTA Communications Department