Columbus, OH – Convening in Deerfield Beach, FL for its annual meeting, the American Harness Racing Secretaries, Inc. took time on Friday (Dec. 2) to consider and vote upon a series of 20 rule change proposals and one bylaw amendment submitted by members of the U.S. Trotting Association.

Led by AHRS President Nick Salvi and assisted by USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner, the group in the end advocated for the acceptance of five, suggested that six be rejected, and elected to make no recommendation on another 10.  The USTA Board of Directors will take the AHRS endorsements under advisement when it assembles in full next March in Columbus, OH.

The AHRS voting summary is as follows.

Proposal #1 – Saddle Pad Colors:     NO ACTION
Proposal #2 – Infield Pond Barriers:     ACCEPTED w/amendment*
Proposal #3 – Racing Official/Driver Conflict of Interest:  REJECTED
Proposal #4 – “No Contest” Criteria:     ACCEPTED
Proposal #5 – Stallion Syndicate Requirements:   NO ACTION
Proposal #6 – Partnership Listed Owners:    REJECTED
Proposal #7 – Horses 15 and Older:     ACCEPTED
Proposal #8 – Claim Announcements:    REJECTED
Proposal #9 – Two-Year-Olds on the Gate:    REJECTED
Proposal #10 -Purse Money Distribution:    REJECTED
Proposal #11 -Amateur Racing Licenses:    REJECTED
Proposal #12 – Filing of Driver Objections:    NO ACTION
Proposal #13 – AI Following Castration or Death:   NO ACTION
Proposal #14 – Monthly Breeding Reporting:    NO ACTION
Proposal #15 – Live Foals > 140 Limit:     NO ACTION
Proposal #16 – Live Foals > 140 Limit:     NO ACTION
Proposal #17 – Embryo Transfer Restrictions:   NO ACTION
Proposal #18 – SIP Membership Category:    NO ACTION
Proposal #19 – District 6 Track Directors:    ACCEPTED
Proposal #20 – Roll Call Votes:     ACCEPTED
Proposal #21 – Anti-Harassment:     NO ACTION

*Require infield ponds to be enclosed by a fence without stipulating that the bottoms be stone or concrete.