Vernon, NY — On Sunday (Nov. 13), Chairperson Shawn Wiles and Directors Mark Ford, Ray Schnittker and Mike Torcello hosted the annual USTA District 8 meeting in conjunction with the NYSS awards banquet at Vernon Downs in Vernon, N.Y.

The meeting, attended by 30 District 8 members, included a discussion of and voting on the 21 rule and bylaw change proposals. The 2023 proposed rule changes may be found here.

Following are the results of the 2023 proposals from District 8:

Proposal #1 – Saddle Pad Colors: ACCEPTED
Proposal #2 – Infield Pond Barriers: ACCEPTED as amended to read “All track infield ponds shall be enclosed with a fence (or barrier).”
Proposal #3 – Racing Official/Driver Conflict of Interest: REJECTED
Proposal #4 – “No Contest” Criteria: ACCEPTED
Proposal #5 – Stallion Syndicate Requirements: ACCEPTED
Proposal #6 – Partnership Listed Owners: TABLED
Proposal #7 – Horses 15 and Older: REJECTED
Proposal #8 – Claim Announcements: REJECTED
Proposal #9 – Two-Year-Olds on the Gate: REJECTED
Proposal #10 – Purse Money Distribution: REJECTED
Proposal #11 – Amateur Racing Licenses: REJECTED
Proposal #12 – Filing of Driver Objections: REJECTED
Proposal #13 – AI Following Castration or Death: ACCEPTED
Proposal #14 – Monthly Breeding Reporting: REJECTED
Proposal #15 – Live Foals > 140 Limit: ACCEPTED
Proposal #16 – Live Foals > 140 Limit: TABLED
Proposal #17 – Embryo Transfer Restrictions: REJECTED
Proposal #18 – SIP Membership Category: ACCEPTED
Proposal #19 – District 6 Track Directors: ACCEPTED
Proposal #20 – Roll Call Votes: REJECTED
Proposal #21 – Anti-Harassment: REJECTED

Shawn Wiles was re-elected as chairperson for District 8. The 2023 district meeting will be held in Goshen, N.Y., with the date and time to be determined.