Vernon, NY — USTA directors from District 8 will be conducting their annual meeting and awards dinner on Sunday (Oct. 26) at Vernon Downs. The event is hosted by the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund and the United States Trotting Association.

USTA directors who will be on hand are District 8 chairman Shawn Wiles, Jason Settlemoir, Mike Kane, Kim Crawford, Ray Schnittker, Mark Ford and Bruce Tubin.

At the meeting the attending members will review this year’s proposed rule and bylaw changes. On the slate are nine proposed changes, three of which pertain to Racing Under Saddle. No director elections are due this year.

The dinner will honor District 8 horses and the district’s Horse of the Year will be named that evening.

Also being recognized is John Manzi, who is honored by being named this year’s recipient of the prestigious Bruce Hamilton Memorial Award.

The meetings will get underway at 5 p.m. followed by a cocktail party at 6:30 p.m. The banquet and awards dinner program will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner are $30 and anyone interested in attending should call Betty Holt at the Harness Horse Breeders at 518.785.5858.