by CJ Millar, Horsefly Group

Monticello, NY — RUS NY, an organization that helps promote the sport of Racing Under Saddle in New York State, is excited to announce a 2014 RUS Fair Series.

The seven race series will feature six qualifying races to be held at county fairs across the state, culminating in a championship final race to be held at the Tompkins County Fair in Trumansburg.

The series will run throughout the months of July and August, giving participants the opportunity to earn points towards qualifying for the final. Flagship sponsor New York Sire Stakes has generously donated initial purse money, and RUS NY will be offering additional sponsorship opportunities.

Kicking off over the July 4th weekend at the oldest harness racing track in the world, the first qualifier will take place at Goshen Historic Track in Goshen, N.Y. Qualifying races will also be held at the Afton Fair in Afton, Seneca County Fair in Waterloo, Otsego County Fair in Morris, Chenango County Fair in Norwich, and Steuben County Fair in Bath.

Points earned based on race finish will be tallied to determine the entrants in the championship final race at the Tompkins County Fair to be held on Aug. 19.

Currently RUS NY has secured several major national brands as series sponsors, including Draper Therapies and Horse Quencher. These national brands will bring a heightened sense of awareness to the sport, as well as cross-promote the RUS series and race sponsors on their own social networks, blogs, and across the web. There is also the opportunity for local, regional, and national businesses to become a race sponsor for the 2014 series, to help promote RUS as well as to gain exposure for their company.

Benefits vary by level of sponsorship, and include mention in fair programs, across the web, and ongoing mention in all publications online and off — including social, blogging, press releases and in the winner’s circle at the conclusion of each race.

All RUS NY marketing, including promotion for the 2014 Fair Series and all sponsorship packages, is being handled by Horsefly Group, an international marketing agency with expertise in the equestrian sporting world. This will offer sponsors the opportunity to get additional exposure through packages that include marketing above and beyond traditional purse sponsorships.

Horsefly Group’s digital director, CJ Millar, is also the marketing director for RUS NY, and a licensed RUS jockey as well as an avid equestrian. All sponsorship inquiries can be directed to her at cj@horseflygroup.com or 973.626.3673.

Riders wishing to participate in the series must hold a current active RUS license with the USTA and be familiar with the rules and requirements of RUS racing in New York State. Horses must be trotters registered with either the United States Trotting Association or Standardbred Canada in the name of the current owner. No horse under the age of three shall be eligible to start for the RUS NY 2014 Fair Series, while horses older than 14 will be permitted.

Horses used in the 2014 Fair Series races must show a charted mile in 2:18 or faster under saddle. Horses must compete and finish in any two of the six qualifying races to be eligible for the 2014 Fair Series final. Entries for the final race are to be selected based on points earned for finishes in the series qualifying races.

Full race series conditions and point systems will be published prior to the start of the season and available on the RUS NY Facebook page, as well as through a press release distributed via USTA and RUS America.