USTA District 7 (PA) annual meeting notes

State College PA — Members from the United States Trotting Association District 7 met on Saturday (Jan. 21) at the Graduate Hotel in State College PA (location of Penn State) to discuss proposed USTA harness racing rule changes and to make recommendations that will be conveyed at the USTA’s annual board of directors meeting in March. The meeting preceded both a Pennsylvania Fairs meeting and the district’s annual awards dinner; a separate story will be filed about the latter.

District directors in attendance at State College were Chairman Sam Beegle, Barry Brown, Rich Gillock, and Mark Loewe.

Track directors winning elections were Barry Brown of Harrah’s Philadelphia and Rick Kane of The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

District members reviewed 18 rulebook and three bylaw changes proposed for 2023, with Director Loewe, also Vice Chair of the USTA, providing clarification on the changes and summarizing how some other districts have voted. The attendants approved seven changes (two with amendments), rejected thirteen, and took no action on one. The proposed rule changes for 2023 may be found by clicking here.

A complete summary of the District 7 voting is as follows:

Proposal #1 – Saddle Pad Colors: REJECTED.
Proposal #2 – Infield Pond Barriers: APPROVED with amendment of removing “the stone or concrete bottom” provision.
Proposal #3 – Racing Official/Driver Conflict of Interest: REJECTED.
Proposal #4 – “No Contest” Criteria: APPROVED.
Proposal #5 – Stallion Syndicate Requirements: APPROVED.
Proposal #6 – Partnership Listed Owners: REJECTED.
Proposal #7 – Horses 15 and Older: REJECTED.
Proposal #8 – Claim Announcements: NO ACTION (PA rule forbids announcement of claim before race).
Proposal #9 – Two-Year-Olds on the Gate: APPROVED with amendment inserting “at extended pari-mutuel tracks.”
Proposal #10 – Purse Money Distribution: REJECTED.
Proposal #11 – Amateur Racing Licenses: REJECTED.
Proposal #12 – Filing of Driver Objections: REJECTED.
Proposal #13 – AI Following Castration or Death: APPROVED.
Proposal #14 – Monthly Breeding Reporting: APPROVED.
Proposal #15 – Live Foals > 140 Limit #1: REJECTED.
Proposal #16 – Live Foals > 140 Limit #2: REJECTED.
Proposal #17 – Embryo Transfer Restrictions: REJECTED.
Proposal #18 – SIP Membership Category: REJECTED.
Proposal #19 – District 6 Track Directors: APPROVED.
Proposal #20 – Roll Call Votes: REJECTED.
Proposal #21 – Anti-Harassment: REJECTED.

From the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, and the Pennsylvania Fair Harness Horsemen Association partnership