from RUS NY

The official conditions for the RUS New York 2015 Fair Series are now available on the RUS-NewYork.com website.

Conditions differ slightly from some of the other RUS events, to allow a wider selection of horses and riders to participate, in keeping with traditional fair racing. Some of the key differences are a more lenient qualifying time of 2:20 on a half-mile or larger track for horses, and the allowance of horses older than 14 to participate in the Fair Series.

It should be noted in order to participate in any RUS NY event riders will need to participate in a minimum of two qualifying miles under saddle using a starting gate (2:15 or faster for pari-mutuel races and 2:20 or faster for fair races). There must be more than one horse behind the gate. This rule was added this year to ensure safety.

No person shall ride a horse in any race without having first obtained from the USTA an active membership including a rider’s license. Riders should expect to take a breathalyzer and sign a waiver before participating in any race. All riders must participate in fundraisers and getting sponsorships in order to ride in RUS NY events. To view all of the RUS NY regulations (which includes required equipment, riding violations etc.) visit the website.

There will be a $10 entry fee for each of the nine legs of the RUS NY 2015 Fair Series races. The fee is waived for the final as horses earn their way into that race.

A W-9 needs to be on file with our group or entries can be denied. Please send paperwork to Michelle Miller. She can be contacted at mnmiller84@gmail.com or 607.643.8047.

A minimum of two rider/horse combinations are needed to race. There will not be any walkovers. The Afton Fair is requiring five entries.

The biggest change this year is RUS NY will be taking its own entries in order to have plenty of time to check licensing and eligibilities with the USTA. Purses and entry info will be posted online as the information is made available so be sure to check out the website regularly.

Horses must compete and finish in any two of the nine RUS 2015 Series Fair legs to be eligible for the RUS NY 2015 Fair Series Final. A High Point Rider Award will be presented at the final to the rider who has earned the most points, regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series. Riders must participate in at least three races to qualify.

Goshen Historic Track will be hosting its own RUS race July 5 and although it is not a part of the fair series, the race will count toward the final as three participation points will be given to horses that finish the race in a time of 2:15 or faster. Riders will not earn points toward the rider award for their participation.

The final will be held at Monticello Raceway on Sept. 2. Entries will be selected based on points earned for finishes in the series qualifying races. Points earned are accrued by horse, regardless of rider, in each race. Up to five qualifiers will be eligible for the final race, based on total points earned. Monticello Raceway has generously put up $2,500 for the final. Funds may be added if made available.

RUS New York thanks flagship sponsor New York Sire Stakes for donating $5,000 toward the series. The goal is to race for no less than $500. As more sponsors come on board, purses may increase, so we encourage everyone to consider becoming a sponsor.

Product is also welcomed to use for prizes or to raffle. Visit the website for more info.

Official dates and locations and post times are as follows:

Wednesday, July 1 – Oswego County in Sandy Creek, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, July 7 – Tioga County in Owego, 1 p.m.
Thursday, July 9 – Afton Fair, noon
Tuesday, July 21 – “Little World’s Fair” in Hemlock, noon
Tuesday, Aug. 4 – Otsego County in Morris, noon
Monday, Aug. 10 – Wayne County in Palmyra, noon
Wednesday, Aug. 12 – Franklin County in Malone, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 – Steuben County in Bath, noon
Tuesday, Aug. 25 – Tompkins County in Trumansburg, noon
Wednesday, Sept. 2 – Final race to be included with the harness race fair finals at Monticello Raceway