Columbus, OH — As the USTA gears up to present the 2023 divisional winners of the Standardbred Incentive Program (SIP), the association is pleased to announce that the program has seen considerable growth from the 2022 inaugural show season to the 2023 second annual season.

The Standardbred Incentive Program has seen considerable growth from the 2022 inaugural show season to the 2023 second annual season. Winslow Photography.

The number of horses and people enrolled increased exponentially with 109 horses for the 2023 season, a 94.5 percent increase over the inaugural season. There were 52 horses that had at least one show placing submitted and 44 with at least one trail mile logged. With a 102.5 percent increase in human enrollment in the program, 46 people had at least one show placing and 28 at least one trail mile logged.

“The USTA Board of Directors has made it clear that we all must do more to promote the Standardbreds outside of the racetrack. Even though the program is in its infancy, we are extremely pleased to see such a positive growth,” said TC Lane, the USTA’s chief operating officer.

“A considerable amount of development time across multiple departments brought this vision to life. We know there are more Standardbreds out there showing, trail riding, fox hunting and more. Creating this platform will allow us to build upon the foundation of the alternative use Standardbred community. There will be a continued effort from the Association to reach out to as many horse people as possible to make sure they know about SIP and want to become involved.”

As the USTA looks to start offering High Point Standardbred Awards at shows, it was encouraging to see an 84 percent increase in the number of shows submitted for approval to the program. The USTA now has a list of shows that those with Standardbreds are interested in attending. The USTA will start offering the option to offer High Point Standardbred Awards to the shows that had at least five Standardbreds participating in the previous year.

2023 divisional winners will be announced in mid-February; click here for the release about the 2022 divisional winners.

Since 1996, the Standardbred Equine Program has worked with owners of off-the-track Standardbreds to educate the general public about the many disciplines Standardbreds excel at once they are retired from racing. For more information about the SEP at the USTA, visit LifeAfterRacing.ustrotting.com.