by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — The U.S. Trotting Association’s Full Circle Program, which allows two people with a shared interest in a horse to work together to benefit that horse, passed the 4,000 mark for horses enrolled this week.

The program, which started less than a year ago, allows any individual with an interest in a registered Standardbred to attach their name and contact information to that horse’s Pathway database report. The logo appears next to the horse’s name if they are enrolled. Any future custodian or person who can no longer care for that horse can check to see if they have a Full Circle contact willing to assist them, and call the USTA for contact information on that individual.

The program is free, voluntary and is open to anyone who has an interest in a particular horse or horses. It is not necessary to be a member of the USTA. It is not necessary to be the horse’s breeder, owner, trainer or driver. Anyone from anywhere in the world can enroll a horse that has been registered in North America. Enrollment of a horse can be rescinded at any time and it comes with no obligation for future action. An individual can also enroll every horse they have ever bred or owned without specifically citing each horse.

Those who might like to help build awareness of the Full Circle program, targeted to those in custody of a horse needing help, can request cards or posters to display at their training center, fairgrounds, vet clinic or farrier shop or to enclose with any Standardbred-related mailing. E-mail Phyllis Spradlin at Phyllis.spradlin@ustrotting.com to obtain posters or cards.

Those who would like to enroll a horse or horses in Full Circle can download the form here and mail to Member Services, USTA, 750 Michigan Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215.

Submit any other questions about Full Circle, via e-mail, to Ellen Harvey at ellen.harvey@ustrotting.com or call her at 732.780.3700.