Marshalltown, IA — On Saturday (Jan. 18), during the Iowa Harness Horseman’s Association annual meeting, Gabe Wand, USTA District 4 chairman, presented the 2020 USTA proposed rule changes.

Discussing each rule change, the membership voted accordingly (view the complete list of rule change proposals here):

Proposal #1 (Elimination of heat racing) – REJECT
Proposal #2 (Extended pari-mutuel meets) – ACCEPT
Proposal #3 (Prohibit gene doping) – ACCEPT
Proposal #4 (Pylon requirements) – REJECT
Proposal #5 (Extended saddle pads) – REJECT
Proposal #6 (Racetrack maintenance) – ACCEPT
Proposal #7 (Jail period for claimed horses) – REJECT
Proposal #8 (Interfered horses purse money) – REJECT
Proposal #9 (Weighted post-position draw) – REJECT
Proposal #10 (Distinguishable starting point) – REJECT
Proposal #11 (Post July 1 qualifiers) – ACCEPT
Proposal #12 (Standards for fair start pole) – REJECT
Proposal #13 (Amateur driver eligibility) – REJECT
Proposal #14 (Amateur driver eligibility) – REJECT
Proposal #15 (Trainer’s license minimums) – ACCEPT
Proposal #16 (Driving colors – “P” license) – ACCEPT
Proposal #17 (Whip regulations) – REJECT
Proposal #18 (Sex change reporting requirement) – ACCEPT
Proposal #19 (Remeasure track circumferences) – ACCEPT
Proposal #20 (Recording ownership percentages) – REJECT
Proposal #21 (Multiple embryo transfers/year) – REJECT
Proposal #22 (Definition of Standardbred) – ACCEPT
Proposal #23 (Non-Standardbred definition) – ACCEPT