Celebrating the 200th birthday of a legendary trotting aficionado by Tim Bojarski For as long as I can remember, I have been a student of Victorian-era harness racing—it was a time when…
Author: hoofbeatsarchive
Sensational Sylvia
Two-time divisional winner kept her connections on their toes in 2023 By Kathy Parker If only horses could talk, right? Would yearling shoppers have believed Somebeachsomewhere if he had bragged about being…
USTA Focus
Why the RHSA Is a Much Better Alternative to HISA A Q&A with USTA President Russell Williams Why RHSA? Why have another federal law? What happens when the Supreme Court agrees with…
Hoof Beats April 2024
Features Horse of the Year Looking back on Confederate’s 2023 campaign by James Witherite The 2023 Divisional Winners Sensational Sylvia Two-time divisional winner kept her connections on their toes in 2023 by…
Making the Call
Mike Hall reflects on a ‘tremendous’ career in the judges’ stand by James Witherite For decades, NFL referee Ed Hochuli was noted for his encyclopedic knowledge of the rules and penchant for…
Horse Care: Sticking to It
An overview of AAEP recommended vaccination guidelines story by Hope Ellis-Ashburn While you may be well-versed on the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ core—and, in some cases, risk-based—vaccination recommendations, you may find…
Watching the Wheels – March 2024
by Mike Tanner, USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Fair or Foul? Are zero-tolerance policies truly effective? Before I started at the USTA, I was the director of racing operations at…
Hoof Beats March 2024
Features A Toast to Talent The bloodlines of 2023 Trotting Broodmare of the Year Margarita Momma carry some surprises by Kathy Parker Making the Call Mike Hall reflects on a ‘tremendous’ career…
Director’s Chair February 2024
Protecting Our Drivers by Joe Faraldo, USTA Chairman of the Board USTA Rule 5.10 ensures insurance coverage at pari-mutuel tracks Many years ago, a very fine horseman and USTA director from Portland,…
USTA Focus: Holding Out for Hope
New York horseman remains positive as he waits for another kidney transplant story by Ken Weingartner When Jim Urtel Jr. was 12, he fell in love with horses and harness racing….