The Complete Guide
to Racing Under Saddle

• HISTORY

• TOP RIDERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES

• EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

• CONDITIONING FOR RACING UNDER SADDLE

• THE FIRST RUS EVENT

• (RUS) GUIDELINES

History
One of the Standardbred’s pioneer horsemen, Hiram Woodruff, was the first true champion of racing under saddle. It had been intended that Woodruff should learn a trade, but being from a family of horsemen, the young lad had the “call to the horse”, like that of a trumpet to the trooper when it sounds the “boots to the saddle”.

Hiram Woodruff was just ten years old when he sat astride the great trotter under saddle, Top Gallant. His first race was ridden at Hunting Park in Philadelphia. In his teens, Woodruff was winning saddle races contested at great distances. His winning form brought him to fame with such great saddle performers as Lady Suffolk, Rattler, and Awful. His greatest ride, however, was on Dexter, the trotting king of his era.

Woodruff was known to have said that “when a horse is clever under the saddle, it is a better and faster way of going than in harness; yet there are many horses as fast in harness as they are under the saddle “. That may account for many of the early match races pitting a horse in harness against a saddled trotter.

It was common practice to break trotters to saddle and ride their mounts along country roads. These mounts were known to exercise as much as twenty miles a day under saddle at the walk; but trainers soon found that this type of work made the horse leg weary and took the heart out of him.

At the beginning of the 19th century, nearly all trotting was done under saddle. Riders had to exhibit good judgement, strength and staying power. It was more productive to carry the weight of a good rider than a light boy who tired easily and robbed their mount of its full potential.

Riders of that era asked their trotter to extend, but still be within himself. The rider must also have the ability to discern between a horse that is pulling considerably and one that is merely “on the bit.”

There are several reasons why trotting under saddle lost its popularity, and the trotting horse in harness became the preferred mode of transportation. The refinement of the Standardbred breed parallels the development of the United States. As the roads became wider and smoother, and the need to establish develop settlements further west became necessary, it was found that driving longer distances was much more comfortable than riding. There were also more people that could drive rather than ride and they could transport more of their belongings in a wagon as they settled west. Match races in harness came into vogue amongst the wealthy and before long trotters under saddle became a thing of the past.

It was’t until 1940 that the incomparable Greyhound thrilled spectators with an astonishing feat under saddle with the gifted horsewoman Frances Dodge Johnson. The pair stopped the timer in 2:01 3/4 over the historic Red Mile . In one of his most brilliant exhibitions of his career, Greyhound shattered the previous milestone of 2:05 1/4, set by Hollyrood Boris and his rider, Miss Helen James.

Since its 1994 resurgence with Brooke Nickells piloting Preferential under saddle to an astonishing 1:58.4m, Racing Under Saddle (RUS) has experienced a steady growth in popularity, venues and purses and the future continues to look bright for this once novel idea.

Besides the pari-mutuel venues that will be entertaining of the USTA Boots And Saddles-Racing Under Saddle Late Closing Series, riders can compete in other Racing Under Saddle (RUS) events offered for both trotters and pacers at numerous county fairs across the Midwest.

When first conceived of, the United States Trotting Association hoped the Boots and Saddle Series would serve three purposes: to create a new and exciting form of Standardbred racing, give women a wider involvement in the sport, and provide another non-traditional competitive outlet for this multi-talented equine. The series has done all of that and more.

One of the most positive aspects of the series is its appeal to women, a segment of the population under-represented as trainers and drivers in the sport. The majority of Boots and Saddles riders are women that have years of experience with Standardbreds. All prospective riders must take a written “open book” exam that covers the guidelines set forth by the United States Trotting Association. First time participants in RUS events must either have a reference from an established rider, or a satisfactory workout before a licensed judge.

The success of the Boots and saddles Series contributed to the creation of the Standardbred Equine Program (SEP) in 1995, whose goals are to promote the Standardbred in all disciplines, whether it’s driving, roadster classes, dressage, trail riding, jumping, pleasure riding or barrel racing. Aimed at increasing public knowledge of the Standardbred and its variety of post or second career possibilities, SEP has a division for youth and adults to accommodate its diverse members.

Finally, across the country, trotters and pacers, from free-for allers to claimers, will once again be encouraged to show off their skill under saddle. Some will alternate under saddle events with their more traditional “day jobs” of harness racing.

TOP RIDERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES

Christina (Chrissy) Russell has been riding horses since the age of five. She assists her husband Tom with he training of their Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. She has experience with galloping runners and breaking young horses to ride and drive. Christina has been a top competitor in the Boots and Saddles series and brings experience and a competitive spirit to the under saddle events. She and her pacing mount, My Trap, displayed their exciting come from behind form to capture three legs of the 1997 Boots and Saddles series.

Chrissy looks for good gaited Standardbreds that wear little equipment. The RUS prospect’s front legs must be in good condition without any indications of lameness. She explains that under saddle events can put additional pressure on the front legs, so it is wise to select a mount with as few problems as possible. Since some of the equipment used on trotters and pacers to harness isn’t allowed in RUS competition, one is better off looking for a simply rigged prospect.

Her pacers will generally use the same length of hopples for under saddle events as they do for harness racing. The hopple hangers’ length stay approximately the same: just check to be sure there is clearance of the rider’s foot and the hangers and hopples. Her mount’s bridle will be rigged with a kimberwicke style bit. This bit guarantees the rider a bit more leverage and allows for slow workouts and warm-ups.

Chrissy believes in more saddle training when starting out with a RUS mount, but after the horse feels secure being ridden, she will switch to working in a jog cart. She feels that this helps the soundness factor when a horse is racing in both disciplines and also keeps them fresh. She saves her distance work to saddle training, and firmly believes that racing them in harness events in the spring is a very effective way to tighten them up for the saddle events that are contested during the summer months.

The 1997 Boots and Saddles leading point earner is second year competitor Cathy Caserta. She was victorious in two legs of the series with her pacing gelding, Scootin Neuton. A horse diagnosed with atrial afibrulation, or an irregular heartbeat, Cathy switched from racing Scootin Neuton in harness to jogging him under saddle. Since she had purchased him specifically as an under saddle prospect, the change in regimen seemed to suit them both just fine.

Scootin Neuton had the traits that Cathy likes in an under saddle mount; size, good front legs and powerful smooth gait. He also had a wonderful temperament and a willingness to please. All of these traits added up to a successful series for Cathy and Scootin Neuton.

Cathy combines work in harness and under saddle. She feels that this is beneficial if the training surface is hard.

The saddle training strengthens the hindquarters and allows a nervous horse to relax, and in general, helps their mental attitude.

Rigging differs only slightly when converting to under saddle work. It may be necessary to step up the severity of the bits under saddle to provide more leverage.

Any unique soundness problems to the ridden Standardbred can easily be lessened with the use of pads on the front hooves.

First year competitor Bridgett Nappi combines her horse show judging experience with her husband’s family involvement with harness racing. Before RUS, Bridgett would help out with the family’s racing stock and was able to learn the basics of harness racing, but didn’t see any way to use her horse/show ring background to be really involved. RUS competitions have changed all of that.

The Nappi household is no longer split by horse interests since RUS events involves the participation of the entire family, and has added quality time to their lives. Since becoming involved with RUS, Bridgett has learned to drive a harness horse and loves the thrill of racing, training and versatility of the Standardbred.

Bridgett feels that the correctness of a horse’s structure is of utmost importance. It determines a horse’s way of going, efficiency in going, and the ability to tolerate the stress, strain and concussion of racing. Front limb faults can ruin the best of equine athletes. You must consider that a RUS mount is carrying 60-65% of their distributed weight (and the rider’s) on their forelimbs. It is this reason that she feels conformation faults on the front limbs are generally more of a threat to performance than the hindquarters.

When looking for a prospective RUS mount, it is important to emphasize form to function and balance. Balance will produce movement that is comfortable to ride, minimizes stress on joints, and increases overall athletic ability.

Perhaps the most important characteristic of a prospective RUS mount is motivation or HEART.

This is often a key factor to winning in RUS competition. Bridgett’s 1997 mount, the pacer Takin’ Chances was well balanced and muscled, but not perfect. Her thickness through the neck from its base to the throatlatch contributed to her “pulling” tendency, and placed a bit more weight on her front end. However, she remained clean legged and traveled nicely through the season.

Takin’ Chances training schedule consisted of 85-90% under saddle work and the remainder in harness. In retrospect, Bridgett feels that the mare might have done better with more harness work and less training under saddle. This regimen would have lessened the load on her forelimbs.

The under saddle training was valuable training tool–Takin’ Chances did not go entirely the same in harness as under saddle, thus equipment changes were made to accommodate each situation.

The decision to try her under saddle was a unique in the fact that the mare was not competing successfully under harness. For variety, she raced in harness at a fair in August and won handily.

Bridgett believes that change was good for her mare; she developed more muscling and she started her racing season much calmer than she had in the past. This can be attributed to under saddle work.

Takin’ Chances wore the same basic equipment in harness and under saddle. The only change was a tie-down (she was throwing her head at the beginning of the season) instead of an over check. While she did not always rely on the tie-down, she never seemed to need an over check. In addition, a line burr was added in place of a head pole (the use of head poles is prohibited in RUS competition) for added body control at high speeds.

A smaller gauge snaffle was substituted for the standard driving bit she wore during harness competition. This bit allowed her to take a stronger hold with more control. In the Boots and Saddles Final a milder bit was used because she hadn’t been trying, and the mare took advantage of her rider in the post parade, although she left the gate like a rocket!

RUS events have drawn interest from all parts of the country. Linda Werkheiser trains and races her Standardbreds primarily in Wisconsin at the county fair level, but has competed in several of the Boots and Saddles events.

Linda looks for Standardbreds that aren’t heavy on the forehand and will hold themselves up without “using the over check and lines. She prefers free-legged pacers; and trotters that are low going and can balance themselves and trot with weight over their shoulders.

It is important to avoid Standardbreds with serious leg problems, one that goes to their knees, crossfire, or are bad actors behind the starting gate. Beware of horses that show aggression while racing in harness—in racing under saddle events the horses are in closer proximity.

Linda starts her under saddle training with long, slow miles in harness. She implements this with riding twice a week on the track, as well as the trails. Trail riding allows her horses to learn balance as they start, stop, turns and travels up and down hills. This type of regimen strengthens the horse’s ability to race at full speed while balancing weight on his back. In the final 4-6 weeks before racing, training sets are divided evenly between harness and saddle. When possible, it is advantageous to train with the company of another horse.

Linda has experienced improvement with her trotter in harness as a result of training and racing under saddle. Having a reputation for running off during warm ups and training miles, riding has had a calming effect on her mount. Yet, he is just as good (if not a little better) in harness after being ridden this year.

Linda has always ridden her Standardbreds after their retirement from harness racing. She has found them to be willing and enjoyable—thus the transition to under saddle events was a natural for Linda and her Standardbreds.

Her trotter, One Bad Hombre, has not retired from racing from harness, however. He was just awarded Wisconsin’s Trotter of the Year in 1997 with eight wins in harness and successfully competing under saddle.

Another competitor, Jean Abranovich, feels that a good RUS prospect should be on the large size, and preferably a pacer, to be competitive. A strong back, good legs, and a willing personality with regards to a new endeavor are musts. A rather fast competitor in harness is helpful since most RUS races tend to slow horses down as the result of the rider’s weight on his back. A “burnt-out” harness horse may fare quite well with a change of venue from harness to saddle racing.

Jean’s training schedule includes both harness and saddle workouts. It helps combat boredom and she finds that most Standardbreds can carry over an education from harness racing into under saddle events.

Her involvement began out of a love of harness racing (as a groom) and lack of a driver’s license. Being actively involved driving and riding horses all her life, she loved the idea that RUS licensees can include anyone with the ability to ride, without prejudice towards stature or physique, versus the prototype jockey.

Rider Tina Nesley and her trotting mount Mr. Nat proved that the mandatory age of retirement from harness racing at 14 years of age wasn’t about to stand in their way. Having demonstrated his ability to race in harness and compete in gaming events under saddle within days of each other, Tina felt that racing Mr. Nat under saddle would be a perfect way of keeping him fresh and useful. Mr. Nat proved his versatility and youthfulness by an impressive fourth place finish in 1997 Boots and Saddles Consolation against game pacing competitors.

Tina feels that rider weight should not exceed 20% of the horse’s weight and that their training should include 4 or 5 days of long, easy miles. In training sets, the horse would decide how fast they would go without letting them “running off”. This includes rating miles at a slower speed. This concept assists her with gate speed. Unlike drivers in harness events, riders don’t have the luxury of sulky stirrups to brace themselves behind the gate and control is of utmost importance.

This communication between horse and rider comes from the rider’s ability to rate their mounts speed behind the starting gate, and the starter knowing that RUS starting procedures are equivalent to sulky starts with regards to gate speed.

“What types of equipment can I use for RUS events?” is one of the most frequently asked questions of prospective RUS participants.

As you will read in the RUS guidelines, the only two mandatory pieces of equipment is some type of saddle and a bridle outfitted with a bit. After three seasons of RUS events, most riders seem to prefer a thoroughbred exercise saddle or close contact jumping saddle. Both saddles are fairly lightweight and allow the rider to sit comfortably over the horse’s withers. The length of stirrups is a matter of personal choice; most riders aboard pacers seem to prefer a shorter stirrup that allows clearance of the hopple hangers; many of the riders astride trotters seem to prefer a longer stirrup. A lot of this depends on a rider’s position and comfort and how it affects their horse’s way of going.

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST FOR RUS MOUNTS

Most pacers race with hopples, and the hopple hangers fit quite nicely on a saddle equipped with a crupper. Cruppers can be attached at the rear or cantle of the saddle, or you can purchase a t-shaped crupper that fits between the pads of the saddle’s tree. You will find that many trotters will also include a crupper on their equipment list; it helps keep the saddle in place when used in conjunction with a breast plate or buxton martingale.

A large number of RUS competitors use the same bride configuration as then they are racing in harness. Some mounts don’t need an over-check; the rider will provide the stabilization their mount needs and others incorporate an over-check quite easily. The most popular ways of attaching the check is either to the front of the saddle, or on the neck directly in front of the saddle with a ring or some type of strap.

Elaine Elmore, a very successful RUS competitor and winner of the first Boots and Saddles Series event, likes to start her RUS prospects with the same equipment that they wear for training and racing in harness. She likes to add a split ring martingale and usually leaves it on trotters to help the horse balance itself. If her mount is a bit of a puller, Elaine will change the bit ton the bridle to a pelham and use two sets of reins. She will take rein that is attached to the snaffle portion of the pelham and run it through the rings of the martingale. This rigging gives you more flexibility in terms of control. A murphy blind can be used instead of a head-pole; and a nifty way to attach the crupper is to purchase a T-strap at your local tack shop. It fits very nicely between the under padding of the saddle, running along the saddle-tree.

You must use your own judgement in the areas of boots, hopples and bits. A little bit of experimentation is the best way to find out what best suits you and your horse’s needs. Most RUS trainers and riders have stated that the equipment changes are usually minimal and the transition from harness racing to RUS competition is a fairly simple task.

CONDITIONING FOR RACING UNDER SADDLE

Conditioning a RUS mount is quite similar to getting a harness horse ready to race. A trainer’s goal should be to come up with a training schedule that will get the most from his athlete while maintaining the horses physical and mental well being.

A Standardbred is jogged clockwise around the track for several reasons. One is to condition the muscles and keep them in proper tone. A racehorse has long muscles in thick bunches that need to be stretched and loosened, so that when we ask our mounts to perform at speed, the muscle fibers are less likely to strain or tear.

The respiratory and circulatory systems also benefit from jogging. These systems need to operate at the same speed as the muscles. Jogging allows the heart, lungs, veins, arteries and nerves to function at the same speed as the muscles at various speeds.

Jogging also “puts a set of legs” on the horse. The variations in speed strengthen the horse’s ability to swing back and forth, loosing the feeling of wobbly or heavy legs.

A Standardbred should be jogged for up to six weeks being turning them to go a training mile. Putting this foundation on a horse is extremely important before asking more of your Standardbred. Start out with two miles each day; increase the distance by one half mile for two days; increase one-half mile for the next 4 days, keeping up the pattern until you reach 4 miles a day for a solid two weeks, and hopefully your horse will be fit enough to begin training a jog –train set. Most trainers prefer to jog 2-2 ½ miles; then turn a go a mile in 2:50. Continue to develop a training regimen that best suits your horse. Remember that a RUS mount has to be at least a three year old to compete, and hopefully will have a good training foundation in place. IF that is indeed the case, your primary responsibility will be to keep your horse fresh, sound and sharp over the distance of a mile race.

Many of today’s top trainers and conditioners combine several jog miles each day in combination with training sets either done as singles or double headers, depending on the horse’s individual needs. Combine the jogging and training with trail riding or just exploring the backstretch on your horse’s back. You will have to determine whether your training sessions will be to jog cart or under saddle.

It is important that you construct a program that will spin a horse into racing shape without burning him out from a lack of changes in his routine. This is where the saddle training comes in handy. It is also important to jog your horse both directions of the racetrack to keep him going straight and to develop some flexibility.

There are several excellent books, such as Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer, published by the USTA, to assist you develop your game plan. It can also be helpful to ask for the assistance of an experienced trainer or RUS licensee to give you training tips.

THE FIRST RUS EVENT

When you and your mount have trained down successfully to the point that you feel ready to compete, there are still a few more important items that need to be addressed. It is imperative that you make sure that you have schooled your horse properly behind the starting gate. Many of the events have been won at the start of the race and how a rider’s horse is able to get right on the gate and secure a good position on the rail. This maneuver can take several attempts to get your timing right. It is also important to find out whether your horse can, in fact, leave quickly from the gate. If your Standardbred does not display the ability to leave, it is imperative that you and your RUS mount are right on the gate and ready to spring.

Be aware that your mount will probably take a big hold behind the gate and you will need the proper equipment in his mouth to be able to rate him. The majority of RUS riders agree that it is a completely different feeling when you’re on their backs and that you have less leverage than when driving in harness. Another major difference is that RUS mounts have the capability of getting much closer to each other than their harness counterparts. The rider must be aware of the other horses’ position and avoid clipping heels another competitor.

It is the responsibility of all participants to read the RUS guidelines thoroughly and make sure the rules are understood. As a RUS competitor, you will be promoting the versatility of our breed. Think of yourself as ambassadors to racing fans and equine enthusiasts alike, with a marvelous secret to share. RUS has opened the doors to men and women who loved the thrill of racing, but were unable to participate on a competitive level. The Standardbred is as versatile as the people that are involved with them. What other breed can offer as wide a variety of uses as the Standardbred?

Making an entry to a RUS event properly is another area that needs to be addressed. It is the trainer’s responsibility to know how far in advance before a race date that an entry needs to be made. The actual entry is done by calling the race office a few days in advance. Having the following bits of information on hand will make the process go smoothly:

• The horse’s name;
• The gait on which you will be competing;
• Name of the trainer and rider and their USTA license numbers;
• Medications the horse races on.

While you’re on the phone with the race office, remember to find out about:

• stabling accommodations;
• state licensing requirements (if needed);
• administration of medications procedure;
• time of the pre-race meeting of riders, trainers and owners;
• what time do you report to the paddock with your horse;
• when you’ll be allowed to warm your horse up;
• whether or not it’s mandatory to wear a safety vest.

Most RUS competitors outfit themselves with white breeches, a short sleeved set of racing colors, hunt or paddock style boots with a heel, an approved helmet (see RUS Guidelines) and the optional gloves and goggles. There are variations to this code of dress, but form- fitting clothes give a neat appearance and provide less wind resistance. You are ambassadors to this innovative form of Standardbred racing and image is important.

RACING UNDER SADDLE (RUS) GUIDELINES

The following guidelines are intended to regulate all Racing Under Saddle (RUS) events, including but not limited to the Boots and Saddles Series, sanctioned by the United States Trotting Association (USTA) and conducted at USTA Member Race Tracks. The United States Trotting Association reserves the right to modify, add, or delete these guidelines if, in the opinion of the United States Trotting Association, it is in the best interest of the event(s).

Horses

Registration of Horse. All horses must be registered with either the United States Trotting Association or the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society in the name of the current owner.

Eligibility Certificate. A special eligibility certificate issued for racing under saddle events must be obtained from the USTA and presented to the clerk of course prior to racing.

Age of Horse. No horse under the age of three shall be eligible to start.

Veterinary Examination. All horses entered to race may be subjected to a pre-race veterinary examination conducted by a designated veterinarian prior to the race. If, in the opinion of the veterinarian, the horse is not in fit condition to race, the judges shall exclude the horse from racing.

Identification: All horses must be identified by either a lip-brand tattoo or neck freeze brand applied by either the United States Trotting Association or the Canadian Trotting Association.

Age of Rider. No rider under 16 years of age shall be eligible to ride in any event.

License Requirements. All riders must hold a current year Special License – Racing Under Saddle (RUS) issued by the United States Trotting Association and sign an affidavit releasing and discharging the U.S.T.A. from all liability for damages of whatsoever kind, nature or description which may arise from or out of any injuries that the rider(s) may receive by virtue of their participation in the Boots and Saddles – Racing Under Saddle (RUS) Series.

Helmet Requirements. Every rider shall wear a protective safety helmet, properly fastened, that meets the standards and requirements as set forth in the Snell Memorial Foundation’s 1984 Standard For Protective Headgear For Use In Harness Racing or the standards established by the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.). Any equestrian helmet bearing the Snell label or approved by the D.O.T. shall be deemed to have met the performance requirements as set forth in the standards.

Safety Vests. It is recommended that all riders wear a safety vest during the race. In accordance with the Association of Racing Commissioners International Model Rules, The safety vest should be designed to provide shock absorbing protection to the upper body of at least a rating of five, as defined by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA).

Racing Colors. Riders shall provide their own distinguishing racing colors which shall be worn at all times when the horse and rider are on the race track for warming up and racing.

Footwear. Riders shall wear footwear that has a minimum heel of one-half inch at all times while warming up and racing.

Declaration/Starting Fees

A declaration to start specifying the name of the horse, rider and gait at which the horse will be ridden, along with any requisite starting fees, shall be due in accordance with the deadlines established at the track at which the event will be raced.

All starting fees shall be due at time of declaration and payable not later than one hour prior to post time of the race to be contested.

Pre-Race Meeting of Participants. It shall be the responsibility of the Presiding Judge to call a meeting of all riders and trainers competing in Racing Under Saddle races at least two hours prior to the race for the purpose of reviewing the racing guidelines and other matters relative to the conduct of the race.

Report to paddock. At extended pari-mutuel race tracks and other tracks that utilize a paddock, all horses and riders must report to the paddock at least one-half hour prior to the post time for the race unless otherwise excused by the judges.

Warming Up Horses. Horses may only be warmed up during the time and area designated by the track. All riders must have the expressed permission from the judges prior to riding on the grounds of the race track. Horses and riders may warm up at the same time, and on the same track as other horses that will be racing to a sulky.

Saddling of Horses. All horses must be saddled in the paddock under the supervision of the paddock judge or other designated official.

Equipment. Only equipment specifically approved by the judges shall be worn by a horse in a race. All horses are required to wear a saddle and bridle with bit. No head poles are permitted to be worn by any horse in a race.

Saddle Pads. Traditional saddle pads shall be used to identify each horse. Riders may wear numbered arm bands on each arm above the elbow. No head numbers shall be used on any horse.

Post Parade. All horses and riders are required to participate in a post parade and scoring prior to the start of the race.

Starting Gate. All races shall be started by using the mobile starting gate.

Starting of Horses. The starting gate shall pick the horses up no nearer than 1/4 of a mile before the start of the race as the track will permit. Horses must reach the starting gate in post position order. There shall be no recall for a breaking horse. (The speed of the gate may be faster then the speed used for sulky events.)

Schooling of Horses. All horses shall be schooled under saddle behind the starting gate prior to their first race under saddle. The trainer of the horse may be required to show proof that the horse was properly schooled behind the starting gate, under the supervision of a licensed starting judge, prior to starting.

Handicapping. At the discretion of the race sponsor, horses may be handicapped based upon their prior performance under saddle.

Interference, Jostling or Striking. A rider shall not ride carelessly or willfully so as to permit his/her mount to interfere with, impede or intimidate any other horse in the race.

No rider shall carelessly or willfully jostle, strike or touch another rider or another rider’s horse or equipment.

No rider shall unnecessarily cause his/her horse to shorten its stride so as to give the appearance of having suffered a foul.

Maintaining a Straight Course. When the way is clear in a race, a horse may be ridden to any part of the course, but if any horse swerves, or is ridden to either side, so as to interfere with, impede or intimidate any other horse, it is a foul.

The offending horse may be disqualified, if in the opinion of the stewards, the foul altered the finish of the race, regardless of whether the foul was accidental, willful or the result of careless riding.

If the judges/stewards determine the foul was intentional, or due to careless riding, the rider may be held responsible.

Breaking Rule. When any horse breaks from its designated trotting or pacing gait under saddle, the rider shall at once, where clearance exists, take such horse to the outside and pull it to its gait.

The following shall constitute a violation: 1) Failure to properly attempt to pull the horse to its gait. 2) Failure to take to the outside where clearance exists. 3) Failure to lose ground by the break.

Any breaking horse shall be set back when a contending horse on its gait is lapped on the hind quarter of the breaking horse at the finish.

Placing of Horse. The judges may set any horse back one or more places if in their judgment any of the aforementioned violations of the breaking rule have been committed.

Any horse or rider that causes interference while on gait or off stride may be placed. In the event a horse is placed for interference, the horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered.

Whip/Spurs/Goading Devices. Riders may carry a riding crop not to exceed 30 inches. The crop is only permitted to come into contact with the horse in front of the saddle. No electrical or mechanical device or other expedient designed to increase or retard the speed of a horse is permitted. No rider shall be permitted to wear spurs.

Post-Race Testing. Any horse entered to race under saddle may be subjected to post race saliva, urine and/or blood test. Should the test taken from a horse indicate the presence of any drug, stimulant, depressant, sedative, or unapproved medicant, it shall be considered prima facie evidence that such has been administered to the horse. The horse shall be disqualified from receiving any winnings or earning any points toward the final event.

Licensing Requirements of State Racing Commissions

Although the Racing Under Saddle Events are primarily “exhibition” races and should not require any of the participants to obtain a license from the state racing commission, some commissions may require each rider, trainer and owner to be licensed.

Officials

The same compliment of racing officials used in the supervision and judging of sulky races shall be used to officiate all Racing Under Saddle events.

Officials shall use the guidelines herein to act as their authority to regulate each event. This shall include disqualification’s, placing, and issuing fines and suspensions to the participants.

Recording of Performance/Charting of Races.

All Racing Under Saddle races shall be reported in the same manner as other races conducted at the track. At all Extended Pari-Mutuel Meetings and Grand Circuit Meetings the charting of RUS races is mandatory. At County Fairs the races shall be either charted or uncharted depending upon the type of reporting in effect for that meeting.

It shall be the responsibility of the Presiding Judge and Clerk of Course to see that all judge’s books for Racing Under Saddle Events are mailed to the USTA office no later than the day following the RUS race(s).

It shall be the responsibility of the Clerk of Course to record each horse’s performance on the Special Racing Under Saddle (Green) Eligibility Certificate. The racing information is then recorded electronically, through the USTA Raceway computer system.

Disqualifications/Placing/Disputes

In all matters relating to the conduct of the race, to include claims of foul, violations of the breaking rule, placings, disqualifications, positive tests, and other disputes, the decision of the judges shall be final.

The USTA is not responsible for any errors in information furnished for any Racing Under Saddle event other than the USTA Sponsored Boots and Saddles – Racing Under Saddle Late Closing Event.