Columbus, OH – The 2025 U.S Trotting Association’s Board of Directors Annual Meeting kicked off on Friday (March 7) at the Hilton Columbus at Easton in Columbus, OH.
The first of the three-day assembly commenced with a meeting of the Registration Committee followed by a Welcome Reception for the directors and guests.
In the Registration Committee meeting, three rule change proposals were discussed.
Rule change proposal #1 to amend existing Rules 4.34 Corresponding Officer and 8.07 Designation of Corre¬sponding Officer and add new Rule 26.33 Ownership Percentages was rejected.
After much discussion on both rule change proposal #18 regarding increasing the cap on the number of total mares bred to a stallion standing in the U.S. from 140 to 160 and rule change proposal #19 regarding the Prohibition of Ovum Pick Up/Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection Procedures were both tabled.
For the first time at a Board meeting, the USTA communications staff produced a live broadcast of the HarnessRacing.com Preview Show.
Wendy Ross, the USTA’s Social Media Content Manager and on-air talent conducted interviews with key people in the harness racing industry that was livestreamed on USTrotting Facebook, X and YouTube platforms.
USTA COO TC Lane discussed the history of the annual meeting and the logistics and coordination required to hold the them along with his many responsibilities at the USTA.
USTA Vice Chairperson and Hanover Shoe Farms Vice President Mark Loewe talked about the work of the Graded Stakes Committee that he chaired in creating harness racing’s first-ever Graded Stakes program that debuts this year.
USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Tanner talked about the USTA’s lobbying efforts in Washington, DC and explained the organization’s structure of directors and district meetings.
The show concluded with USTA Director and Eldorado Scioto Downs Director of Racing Jason Roth, who talked about the rebuilding of the track’s grandstand and paddock as well as the recent news that the 2026 Breeders Crown is coming to Eldorado Scioto Downs.
A second HarnessRacing.com Annual Meeting Preview Show will be broadcast again on the USTrotting social media platforms Saturday (March 8) starting at 4 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule is:
8 a.m. – Communications/Marketing Committee
10 a.m. – Board of Directors General Session
Noon – Recognition Luncheon with President’s Award and 20 Years of Service Award
1 p.m. – Racing Committee
3 p.m. – USTA Investigative Subcommittee
The meetings will conclude Sunday (March 9) with Finance and Rules Committees followed by the Board of Directors Closing Session when the dates and location of the 2026 Annual Board of Directors meeting will be announced.