by PHHA

Harrisburg, PA — The United States Trotting Association’s (USTA) annual meeting for District 7 will be held at the Bedford Springs Omni Hotel and Resort in Bedford, Pa. on Saturday (Jan. 14), with “post time” for the meeting in the southwest Pennsylvania town at 3 p.m.

District 7 Chairman and Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association (PHHA) President Sam Beegle, a native of Bedford, has stated, “I will fulfill my first pledge of 2017 – there will NOT be 24 inches of snow on the District 7 meeting’s weekend, as there was last year.”

Beegle and fellow District 7 Directors Barry Brown, Rich Gillock, and Russell Williams will head the meeting for USTA members; also to be in attendance will be USTA Executive VP/CEO Mike Tanner. They will report on USTA activities of this past year, and they will take the recommendations of those assembled on the various proposed USTA rule changes, which are available at this link.

The feedback from those on hand will guide the District 7 Directors when they attend the annual USTA Board of Directors meeting, which begins on Sunday (Feb. 26).

Shortly after the USTA meeting, the annual banquet highlighting the best and brightest of the 2016 fair harness racing season in Pennsylvania will get underway, with a cash bar open at 5 p.m. and dinner to be served at 6 p.m. The meal will be followed by the annual awards, which will honor both the leading divisional point-winning horses during the 20-stop fair circuit and also the winners of the divisional championship races held this past Oct. 10 at The Meadows.

Tickets for the dinner are priced at $40, and “insiders” know they are among the best investments anywhere in harness racing, thanks to the generosity of area harness suppliers and organizations in donating “door prizes” year after year. Tickets may be obtained from Sam Beegle; at this juncture it may be better to contact Mr. Beegle immediately about reserving tickets, via e-mail at gingertree@frontiernet.net.

Inquiries about availability of accommodations at the Bedford Springs Omni Resort (2138 U.S. 220 Business, Bedford PA 15222) can be directed to 1.800.623.8100. Be sure to note that you are attending the USTA meetings and Fair Banquet.