by Jessica Schroeder, USTA Outreach & Membership Enrichment Coordinator
Madison, WI — The USTA District 4-B meeting washeld Saturday (Jan. 27) at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Madison in conjunctionwith the Wisconsin Harness Horse Association (WHHA) annual meeting and banquet.
The day started with a session on shoeing techniques bylongtime Chicago farrier Chuck Bright, who has shod horses such as Big Tom overhis 38-year career.
The WHHA annual meeting followed, discussing the 2017 racingand the upcoming 2018 fair schedule. Four years ago an anonymous donationinjected the purse account with $75,000. As it currently stands, based on currentspending, there is another four years left to fund purses. Discussion ensuedabout the longevity of the purse account and what to do moving forward tocontinue racing in the state.
After 14 years serving as President, Gabe Wand announcedthat he will be stepping down, but will continue to serve on the Board. Directors Jeanne Marquis, Patty Strand and Sara Weaver were re-elected tothree-year terms.
Incoming District 4-B Director Bruce Alexander phoned in towelcome everyone to the USTA meeting. District Chairman Wand thanked outgoingDirector Bob Yohn for his years of service.
A discussion of rule change proposals, which can be viewed by clicking here, followed and thevoting results are as follows:
1. (uniform claiming allowance percentages) – approved
2. (head numbers) – approved
3. (define “length”) – approved
4. (breath analyzer requirements) – rejected
5. (illegal human drugs) – approved, with clarification onwhich are illegal
6. (officials at charted matinees) – approved
7. (track condition, wind variant) – rejected
8. (identifier verifies males) – approved
9. (stable vs. corporation) – approved
10. (scratches due to date change) – approved
11. (fair start pole) – rejected
12. (physical examination) – rejected
13. (disorderly conduct) – rejected
14. (driver substitution) – rejected
15. (whipping regulations #1) – rejected
16. (whipping regulations #2) – rejected
17. (talking on the track) – rejected
18. (gelding/spaying) – approved
19. (paying trainers) – approved
20. (pleasure horse registration) – approved
21. (breeder of record) – approved
22. (reusing names) – approved
23. (embryo transfers) – approved
24. (by-law: dissolution of district meetings) – rejected
Following the District meeting, guest speaker JohnButenschoen detailed how he has transitioned from training horses for 23 yearsjust over the border in Marengo, Ill. to being based at Southern Oaks TrainingCenter in Sorrento, Fla. in the winter and at WinGate in Wind Gap, Pa. duringthe main racing season.
Butenschoen spoke again after dinner about hisexceptional 2017 racing season and three Hambletonian starters. The annualawards banquet and live auction closed out the evening.