by the USTA Communications Department

Worthington, OH — Led by District Chairman Dick Brandt, the United States Trotting Association directors from District 1 conducted their annual meeting on Saturday (Jan. 21) at the Doubletree Hotel in Worthington, Ohio.

Chairman Brandt and USTA Director Dan Ater were re-elected prior to discussion of other items on the agenda.

The directors and members in attendance spent considerable time deliberating and voting upon 32 rule change and by-law proposals submitted by members, track officials and the USTA staff. Click here to see the rule change proposals in question.

The results are as follows:

1. (Dead Heat language) – Approved
2. (Driver Insurance by Racetrack) – Rejected
3. (Outrider) – Rejected.
4. (Mile rate in program) – Rejected
5. (Symbol for second tier starter) – Accepted
6. (15-year-olds in amateur races) – Rejected
7. (Purse Distribution) – Approved
8. (Percentage of trainer/driver percentage to retired horses) – Rejected
9. (Qualifiers from 60 days to 30 days) – Rejected
10. (Omitted horse drawn, others out one post position) – Rejected
11. (Breaker must go outside or inside) – Accepted
12. (Specific pylon violation standards) – Rejected
13. (Appeal/objection relationship) – Accepted
14. (Registration without owner’s signature) – Accepted
15. (Delete “spayed or neutered”) – Rejected
16. (Register foal online) – Accepted
17. a. (Letters/spaces in names from 18 to 20) – Rejected
17. b. (Disallowing former names) – Rejected
18. (Definition of “outstanding”) – Tabled
19.-28. (RUS rules) – Tabled
29. (Movement after allowing hole) – Rejected
30. (Track Directors) – Accepted
31. (Term lengths for Directors) – Rejected
32. (Language housekeeping) – Accepted