Dayton, OH – A two-day Racing Officials Continuing Education Seminar—presented by the U.S. Trotting Association and hosted at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway—concluded Monday (Nov. 17). The seminar was led by USTA COO TC Lane and Racetrack Operations and Licensing Manager Michele Kopiec as well as Shane Bacon (Executive Director of the Maine State Racing Commission), Casey Larson (Presiding Judge for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission) and Doug Thomas (Presiding Judge for the Ohio Harness Racing Commission). Racing officials representing 11 states participated in the program, which featured in-depth discussions focused on regulatory consistency, communication standards, and matters concerning equine health and welfare.
Sunday’s (Nov. 16) sessions centered on advancing uniform officiating practices and improving public communication. Topics included:
- Best practices for handling inquiries and objections, with a focus on delivering clear, timely information to the public.
- An update on the Equine Health and Wellness Database, highlighting its continued role in promoting transparency and welfare initiatives.
- A review of the breaking rule, including detailed discussion aimed at fostering greater consistency in its interpretation and application.
- A comprehensive race review, designed to support more uniform decision-making among officials.
Monday’s agenda shifted to current jurisdictional issues and strategies for enhancing coordination among officials, racing commissions, and industry partners. Key discussion points included:
- Development of a new veterinary list and potential improvements to how stewards’ listings are displayed within eTrack.
- Effective approaches for communicating with and educating racing commissions.
- Ensuring consistency within the judges’ stand across a wide range of race situations.
The seminar concluded with an open forum and formal voting on several racing-related rule change proposals:
- Horse race fatalities reported to USTA – REJECTED
- Shoes off/shoes on – REJECTED
- Horse retirement contribution from claims – REJECTED
- Start caps for 2- and 3-year-olds – TABLED
Comments regarding each proposal will be shared with the USTA Board of Directors for consideration at the annual meeting in March 2026.
The USTA encourages all USTA-licensed racing officials to participate in this annual seminar, which provides a valuable opportunity for collaboration, professional development, and collective work toward safeguarding the integrity and future of the sport.