Columbus, OH – On Tuesday (Nov. 30), Chairperson Skip Hoovler and Directors Dr. John Mossbarger, Jason Roth, Kevin Greenfield, Steve Bateson, and Steven McCoy hosted the annual District 1 meeting via Zoom.  Directors Dave Bianconi and Jason Bluhm were unable to attend the meeting.

Following the introduction of the directors, recorded opening messages from USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Tanner and USTA President Russell Williams were presented.

The remainder of the agenda included a discussion of and voting on 26 rule change proposals.

Following are the results on the 2022 rule change proposals from District 1:

Rule Change Proposal                                   Voting Results
#1 (Medical assistance/back-up ambulance)        Approved
#2 (County fair charting timeline)                       Approved as Amended
“by 11:59 pm of the race date.”

#3 (Microchip optional horses born before 2019)  Rejected
#4 (State vet regulation of microchips)                Rejected
#5 (Draw video and recording)                            Approved
#6 (Blood samples for claims)                             Approved
#7 (Voidable claims – injury)                              Approved
#8 (Stakes payment dates)                                Approved
#9 (Driver selection in stakes races)                    Rejected
#10 (Interference before start)                           Approved
#11 (Trainer continuing education)                      Approved
#12 (Whip specifications)                                    Rejected
#13 (Breaking horse disqualification)                   Rejected
#14 (Stallion limit increase)                                Rejected
#15 (Charitable breedings offered)                      Rejected
#16 (Outstanding horse names)                          Approved
#17 (No horse name changes)                            Rejected
#18 (ID of broodmares)                                     Rejected
#19 (Embryo transfers)                                      Rejected
#20 (Parentage verifications)                              Rejected
#21 (Horse ID requiring chip and FB)                  Rejected
#22 (Breeder location)                                       Tabled
#23 (Equestrian membership fees)                     Approved
#24 (Addition of equestrian membership)            Approved
#25 (Universal election date for directors)           Approved
#26 (Trainer continuing education bylaw)            Approved

Chairperson Hoover asked if there was any further discussion.  There were some additional comments about the horse identification rule change proposals and Director Bateson noted that all of these rule proposals will be discussed and considered again at the USTA Annual Meeting in March.

Hoovler was reelected as the district chairperson.

The meeting commenced at 2 p.m. (EDT) and was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

For the schedule of remaining USTA District Meetings, click here.