Columbus, OH — The USTA would like to remind horse owners, that during the U.S. Trotting Association Registration Committee teleconference call on March 31, the board voted unanimously to extend the deadline for all horses to be microchipped from 2021 until 2022. The extended deadline will now require all horses to be microchipped before they race in 2022.

The deadline for microchipping horses has been extended by a year to 2022. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

The consideration of delaying the deadline was presented as an agenda item by Chief Operating Officer and Director of Registry T.C. Lane.

“With the challenges facing everyone in the harness racing industry as we all endure the real-life difficulties and the economic hardships presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the USTA and the committee felt that it was far more important for our horsemen to utilize financial resources to care for themselves, their families, employees and horses,” said USTA President Russell Williams. “We’re all in this together and the USTA will help in every way possible.”

Although the deadline has been pushed out to Jan. 1, 2022, the USTA have instituted stringent safety protocols to ensure uninterrupted service to the membership. Please feel free to schedule your appointments without hesitation.