by CJ Millar, Horsefly Group

Monticello, NY — County fairs throughout New York State are poised to come to life in a few months. While the New York Sire Stakes harness racing has become an American tradition at many of these fairs, RUS NY hopes to heighten the excitement for another kind of racing — racing under saddle.

Also known as Monté racing internationally, RUS is a hybrid of harness and Thoroughbred racing. Standardbreds that generally race pulling sulkies are ridden with English, Thoroughbred or special RUS saddles. The horses are started behind a moving starting gate just like in harness racing.

In conjunction with the NYSS, RUS New York has put together a seven race fair series to promote the sport as well as showcase the versatility of the Standardbred.

The series will feature six legs, culminating in a championship final race to be held at Tompkins County Fair in Trumansburg.

Official dates and locations for the summer series are as follows:

• 7/3 Thu – Goshen Meet, Goshen, NY
• 7/10 Thu – Afton Fair, Afton, NY
• 7/14 Mon – Seneca County Fair, Waterloo, NY
• 7/29 Tues – Otsego County Fair, Morris, NY
• 8/5 Tues – Chenango County Fair, Norwich, NY
• 8/12 Tues – Steuben County Fair, Bath, NY
• 8/19 Tues – Tompkins County Fair, Trumansburg, NY — series final race

Full race series conditions and point system will be published prior to the start of the season and available on the RUS NY Facebook page, as well as through a press release distributed via USTA and RUS America. Race dates subject to change.