Columbus, OH – In District 1 (Ohio), four candidates are competing for three membership director seats. Incumbents Roy Burns, Steve McCoy and Dr. John Mossbarger are seeking re-election, with challenger Kris Brechler also on the ballot. District 1 members will vote for three candidates, with the three receiving the most votes elected.
Ballots are being mailed in early November, with completed ballots required to be postmarked no later than Dec. 8, 2026. Election results are expected to be announced in early January 2027.
Following is information on the four candidates, listed in alphabetical order, seeking election to the U.S. Trotting Association Board of Directors in District 1.
Kris Brechler — challenger
Kris Brechler’s family has been involved in harness racing since 1984, when his father, Ron, and brother, Doug, purchased their first horse, Armada, and the operation, Knox Services Inc., has since grown to 200 horses, including breeding stock and racehorses. Through his work with Knox Services Inc., Kris has been associated with accomplished Standardbreds, including Trickman, a two-time Ohio champion; Mission Accepted, Ohio Two-Year-Old and Aged Trotter of the Year; TCI, one of the highest-earning two-year-old trotters in harness racing history; and Sippinonsearoc, a Breeders Crown winner at age three. Kris currently manages Mission Accepted’s promising start as a sire, with offspring Sarah’s Mission and Speedbewithyou both winning the Three-Year-Old Filly Ohio Breeders Championships. Recently elected to the Little Brown Jug Society, Kris remains committed to the sport’s continued success. Born and raised in Mount Vernon, Ohio, he earned a Business Administration degree from Wilmington College and built a successful career at State Farm Insurance, prior to opening his own agency in 2008 and earning numerous company awards. In 2019, he left State Farm to focus on the horse business and handle logistics for a milk cooperative alongside his brother, Doug, coordinating approximately 50 million pounds of milk per month. Kris hopes to bring his business ownership, operations, and agricultural experience to the USTA Board of Directors to support owners, breeders, and participants. He is passionate about strengthening harness racing for future generations and enjoys golfing, spending time with his wife, Amy, their Shih Tzus, Norm and Nyles, and family and friends.
Why are you seeking election to the USTA Board of Directors?
I’m seeking election to the USTA Board of Directors because I believe in the future of harness racing and wants to help strengthen the sport for generations to come. I value the community, dedication, and shared passion for horses that make the industry special. I welcome the opportunity to represent district members, bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the Board, and explore opportunities to build on the USTA’s strengths while ensuring it continues to serve its membership effectively.
What experience, background or perspective would you bring to the Board?
During my years in the horse business, I’ve experienced growth firsthand, from just a few horses to approximately 200 today. This has given me a well-rounded understanding of the business and an appreciation for the challenges and considerations at every stage. I also have more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, along with business ownership, agricultural operations, and committee service. These experiences have strengthened my skills in problem-solving, compliance, communication, and decision-making. I understand the importance of considering different perspectives, working collaboratively, and making thoughtful decisions that support long-term success for all. I would bring this practical experience and professional judgment to the Board.
What do you believe are the most important issues facing the USTA and harness racing, and what would you like to accomplish as a director regarding those issues?
I believe two key priorities for the USTA are growing participation in harness racing and promoting greater consistency in racing regulations across states. Attracting younger generations and introducing new people to the sport are essential to its long-term future. I would support efforts to increase awareness of harness racing, encourage participation, and build on the traditions that make the sport special. I also believe differences in racing regulations across states can create challenges and affect the fairness and consistency of the sport. As a director, I would encourage communication and cooperation among the USTA, state racing commissions, and other relevant organizations to identify opportunities for greater uniformity. In addressing these priorities, I believe it is important to protect the integrity of racing, promote the humane treatment of horses, and remain responsive to members. I would strive to be an approachable director who listens to members’ concerns and works collaboratively toward practical solutions that strengthen the sport and support its future.
Roy Burns — incumbent
Roy Burns is a harness racing owner, trainer, and driver with a passion for county fair racing and serving and representing the grassroots horsemen and women of Ohio. He currently farms around 400 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat/oats, and hay at his home in Milford Center, Ohio. Burns has been involved in harness racing from a young age when he helped his father, King Burns, take care of the family’s horses. His professional career in the sport began in the early 1970s, and he put in a track and barn at his home in the 1990s. A graduate of Fairbanks High School, Burns has earned numerous accolades throughout his career. His favorite achievement is holding the record for father-daughter dead heat in a two-horse race, which he set at the fair in Marysville with daughter Kacey Kelly. He has been a director on the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association board since the early 1990s and served on various committees. In the past, he has served on the Union County Fair Board and the Speed Committee while also holding office as a township trustee and coaching youth basketball. He is currently involved with church activities as a member of First English Lutheran. Burns married his wife, Missy, in 1986, and they have four children — Kyle, Kristin, and twins Kacey and Noah — and seven grandchildren.
Why are you seeking re-election to the USTA Board of Directors?
I am seeking re-election to the USTA Board of Directors after being appointed to finish out the term for Skip Hoovler. I believe District 1 is well rounded in representing all aspects of the industry, and believe a trainer/driver as myself adds to that representation. Our industry is facing many issues today and I do have a passion and a heart for making it the best we possibly can.
What experience, background or perspective do you bring to the Board?
I have been actively involved in harness racing for over 50 years as a trainer/driver. I represent what I still refer to as the grassroots of racing. I have dedicated my career primarily to County Fair stakes racing, and I have been representing them on the OHHA board for nearly 40 years. I have seen many changes, ups and downs in racing and hope to keep it a family-friendly experience for owners, trainers and spectators alike.
What do you feel you have contributed to the Board as a director?
Having served just less than a year on the board, I am learning a great deal but believe there is much more. You can see by the proposed rule changes by district members and the USTA, and reviewed by the districts, you need to possess the ability to see and review the pros and cons considering the effects on our members.
What do you believe are the most important issues facing the USTA and harness racing, and what would you like to accomplish regarding those issues?
There are many issues facing our industry today but I believe integrity is, for me a very important one. There is a lot on the table right now with hopes to improve harness racing’s image and believability to the public. This does not mean it is a simple thing to do. I hope that being a part of the USTA directors, I could do my part in helping to find solutions to this issue. Our horses, owners and supporters deserve our best efforts.
Steve McCoy — incumbent
Steve McCoy is a former President of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and has served on the OHHA’s board of directors since the late 1990s. During his term as President, Steve negotiated and wrote the agreements with the four racinos in Ohio for the horsemens’ share of the VLT revenue. Those agreements and the revenue that they brought to Standardbred racing and breeding are, without question, the most important changes to our industry in Ohio in the last 50 years. Steve has been involved in harness racing since the mid-1980s as an owner and was introduced to the sport by his father, who was an owner, breeder and equine veterinarian. Among his top horses are Power Score, Spider Woman, Odds On Favorite, Striking Mystery and Give ’Em The Ax. Steve earned a B.A. degree (summa cum laude) from The Ohio State University in 1970 and a J.D. degree from the University of California at Berkley in 1973. He currently serves as the general counsel for The Showe Companies. Steve is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and has been listed in Best Lawyers of America since 1987. He is married to Brenda McCoy and has a step-daughter, Cassandra Long, two grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Why are you seeking re-election to the USTA Board of Directors?
I believe in service to the industry, and my background and experience as an owner and lawyer have given me the tools to address our issues thoughtfully and from a somewhat unique perspective.
What experience, background or perspective do you bring to the Board?
I have an unusually broad background in harness racing and breeding. Because of my legal background, I am very knowledgeable about the USTA’s rules and governmental regulations. As a long-time owner, I am sensitive to the challenges facing owners today. Finally, because I come from a family of equine veterinarians, I have a good understanding of both therapeutic and performance-enhancing drugs.
What do you feel you have contributed to the Board as a director?
I have served on a number of important USTA Committees, including Executive, Rules (as Chairman), the Special Investigative Committee (as Chairman), Registration and Fairs. Through my work on those committees, I have been on the front lines of rule-making and enforcement, as well as the fine-tuning of our registration system.
What do you believe are the most important issues facing the USTA and harness racing, and what would you like to accomplish regarding those issues?
Because of the threat of burdensome governmental regulation, such as HISA, it is important for the USTA to continue to regulate itself and clean up its own house. We are working to do that through the Special Investigative Committee. We also need to make a greater effort to market our sport to a younger generation of owners and bettors.
Dr. John Mossbarger — incumbent
Dr. John Mossbarger, USTA district 1 chairperson, is a veterinarian and president of Midland Acres, Inc., a family-owned breeding farm in Bloomingburg, Ohio, and home to many top stallions over the years. In 2016, Dr. Mossbarger was elected to the board of directors of the Hambletonian Society, Inc. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. degree in 1972 and a D.V.M. degree in 1977. He is a past president of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and the Ohio Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, a member of the Fayette County Harness Horsemen’s Association, and serves as a state trustee on the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. Mossbarger received the 2005 Rambling Willie Achievement Award and the 2021 Maynard and Stella Hagemeyer Significant Contribution Award by the Ohio Chapter of USHWA. In 2024 he was elected to the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame. His wife, Kyle, is retired from the Madison County Schools. They have two daughters that are married, Jamie Lee (Kyle) Butts and Jill Ann (Chris) Cottrill, and are blessed with six grandchildren.
Why are you seeking re-election to the USTA Board of Directors?
It’s been my privilege and pleasure to represent District 1 members. As a candidate, I want to continue working with the board to address regulatory battles, build healthy relationships with the agriculture community, and help resolve internal governance debates.
What experience, background, or perspective do you bring to the board?
I have deep roots in horse breeding; my family owns and operates Midland Acres, which my father established in 1967. I serve as chairperson for District 1, a past president of the OHHA, and chairman of the USTA registration committee. I have served as state trustee for the Ohio Farm Bureau for 12 years and actively work with lawmakers and the agriculture community to emphasize the economic and cultural value of equine agriculture to the state.
What do you feel you have contributed to the Board as a Director?
I have advocated stronger marketing, communications, and public outreach to connect the Standardbred sector more tightly with broader agricultural and mainstream audiences. As the chairman of the registration committee, we are responsible for overseeing the rules, policies, and administrative procedures governing the official registry of the Standardbred breed.
What do you believe are the most important issues facing the USTA and harness racing, and what would you like to accomplish regarding those issues?
The legal and Regulatory battle over Federal oversight of the Horse Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). The USTA has aggressively fought HISA in federal courts, arguing that it is unconstitutional and structurally built for Thoroughbred racing rather than the unique, high-frequency nature of Standardbred racing. I would like the state-regulated model to remain in place. HISA is just too expensive for our industry. Internal debates over investigative power and due process. Internal policing and integrity enforcement have sparked internal political tension within the USTA board. The board must decide how to balance strict integrity enforcement with fair and due process for USTA members. Welfare, medication, and post-time drag. There are always issues that need to be discussed. Medication, welfare, and managing the post-time drag, that frustrates the bettor, the sport will continue losing younger horse players to traditional sports books.