Columbus, OH — The United States Trotting Association’s updated rule book is now available on the USTA website by clicking here and will be available via the USTA Rule Book App found on Apple iTunes and Google Play stores by searching “USTrotting” in the coming weeks.

Following are highlights of the new rules in the updated 2019 rule book:

• An extended break shall now be defined as a horse that is not on its proper gait for 25 consecutive strides or more.
• After the post parade and scoring down, horses shall be brought to the starting gate no nearer than one-quarter of a mile before the start as the racetrack will permit. On mile tracks, horses will be brought to the starting gate at the head of the stretch.
• The speed of the starting gate will gradually be increased to maximum speed. Once the maximum speed has been reached, there shall be no decrease except in the case of a recall.
• During extended pari-mutuel meetings, a driver may be fined, suspended or both, if the judges deem that he/she has intentionally laid off the gate and then charged it near the start to gain an advantage.
• The rule to hold horses on the backstretch for a period not to exceed two minutes has been deleted.
• At extended pari-mutuel meetings in a race with a single trailer, a driver may select any position in the second tier. In a race with multiple trailers, the driver of the first horse in the second tier may elect to score out behind the first or second horse in the first tier; the horse drawing the second post in the second tier shall score behind the third or fourth horse in the second tier, etc.
• Changes to driving violations for safety and suspensions resulting from such violations, including opening up a hole without then promptly pulling to re-pass the horse, the clarification of kicking and foot out of the stirrup or foot support, and turning a horse abruptly after the finish of the race in order to return to the paddock or barn area.
• The use of only black whips for tracks under the jurisdiction of the USTA.
• Modifications to the breaking rule, including the placing of a horse and the fine and/or suspension of a driver due to interference.
• Mandatory licensing of trainers.
• Allowing pacers to be raced in racing under saddle events.

The entire list of rule changes, which became effective on May 1, 2019, may be found here.