Columbus, OH — A total of 23 rule change proposals have been submitted to the U.S. Trotting Association and will be voted upon by the USTA Directors in March at the 2020 annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio.

The 2020 proposed rule changes may be found here.

Prior to the final decision on which rules will be adopted, amended or rejected, they are discussed at each of the USTA’s 12 district meetings. USTA members in attendance at each district meeting will review and vote to provide a recommendation for each proposal; those recommendations will be submitted to the full Board of Directors at the annual meeting where the final decisions on rule change proposals will be made.

All USTA members are asked to consider the proposed rule changes and encouraged to attend their local district meeting to provide input. Members who are unable to attend their local meeting are urged to contact their local directors prior to the meeting date.

The names and contact information for directors in each district may be found online via this link. For a schedule of district meetings, click here.

Current USTA members with an email address on file will also be emailed a link to vote upon the rule change proposals and submit comments prior to their district meeting.

The 23 rule change proposals cover a wide range of issues that include several racing rules involving the removal of heat racing, racetrack maintenance and the modification of whipping rules.

Other proposals consider topics such as prohibiting gene doping, determination of claiming prices, purse redistribution for interference during a race, standardization of pylons and start poles, the definition of amateur drivers, trainer license requirements, drawing of post positions, and additional requirements for reporting a change of sex on a horse’s registration.

Proposals were submitted by racetrack executives, a fair official, owners, breeders, drivers, and USTA Directors and staff.

Submissions came from numerous states including California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.