Columbus, OH — On Tuesday (Dec. 12), Chairperson Sam Lilly and Director Jim Miller hosted the annual District 5 meeting via Zoom.

The meeting included a discussion of and voting on the 32 rule and bylaw change proposals for 2024.

Following are the results of the 2024 proposals from District 5:

Proposal #1 – Purse distribution for no contest races: ACCEPTED
Proposal #2 – Corresponding officer designation and ownership percentages: REJECTED
Proposal #3 – Define “ambulance” and the requirement of an ambulance when racing: ACCEPTED
Proposal #4 – Expand definition of accident warning lights: REJECTED
Proposal #5 – Require a chain-link fence in front of the grandstand at county fairs: REJECTED
Proposal #6 – Require driving line buckles be taped with black tape: ACCEPTED as amended to remove “black” as the color of the tape
Proposal #7 – Expand duties of the judges to include the use of warning lights and siren: REJECTED
Proposal #8 – Postponement/cancellation of races in extreme weather: REJECTED
Proposal #9 – Expand procedure of the judges to explain the use of warning lights and siren: REJECTED
Proposal #10 – Increase the number of names on the electronic eligibility from four to an unlimited number: REJECTED
Proposal #11 – Increase the number of names on the electronic eligibility from four to six: REJECTED
Proposal #12 – No horse 15 or older is eligible to perform in any race: ACCEPTED
Proposal #13 – Only one tier of starters at county fair tracks with judge’s discretion: REJECTED
Proposal #14 – Splitting of horses in multiple divisions: ACCEPTED
Proposal #15 – Publicly publish draw results: REJECTED
Proposal #16 – Require a driver to drive horse on which he/she is listed: REJECTED
Proposal #17 – Penalty for restart: REJECTED
Proposal #18 – Penalty for causing a race to be delayed: REJECTED
Proposal #19 – Remove “before dismounting” as a requirement in a driver filing an objection: ACCEPTED
Proposal #20 – Horses must race within 30 minutes of assigned Lasix window: REJECTED
Proposal #21 – Five-year warranty to be provided by a sulky manufacturer and/or USTA: REJECTED
Proposal #22 – Require change of company ownership and modification of approved sulky to be reported to USTA: ACCEPTED
Proposal #23 – Combine Coggins test rules to remove repetitive language: ACCEPTED
Proposal #24 – Require tracks to record and keep on file Coggins test results and vaccine documentation: ACCEPTED
Proposal #25 – Change naming requirements for the registration of horses: REJECTED
Proposal #26 – Bylaw change to handle board voting electronically: REJECTED
Proposal #27 – Bylaw change to increase terms of chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer to two years: ACCEPTED
Proposal #28 – Bylaw change to add text regarding abuse and harassment: ACCEPTED
Proposal #29 – Clarify definition of beneficial owner: ACCEPTED
Proposal #30 – Remove references to require tattoo and/or freezebrand to race: ACCEPTED
Proposal #31 – Remove reference to blood typing and dollar amount to submission of list of mares bred: ACCEPTED
Proposal #32 – Remove references to blood tying and repetitive language for parentage verification: ACCEPTED

After the rule and bylaw voting, Jim Miller provided an update on racing at Hawthorne Racecourse and the work being done between the track and the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, including changes to the paddock. He urged horsemen to reach out to him with questions.

USTA staff also answered questions and provided brief updates on USTA activities.

Sam Lilly was re-elected as chairperson for District 5.

The remaining districts will meet over the next month to discuss specific district topics and to vote on the proposals. The results of each district’s vote will be presented to the entire USTA Board of Directors at the annual meeting in March 2024. The full schedule of district meetings, as well as meeting details and recaps, may be found here.