Columbus, OH — On Sunday (Jan. 9), Chairperson Don Marean and Directors Lenny Calderone, George Ducharme, Stephen O’Toole, and Dr. Timothy Powers hosted the annual USTA District 9 meeting via Zoom.

Following the introduction of the directors, recorded opening messages from USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Tanner and USTA President Russell Williams were presented.

The remainder of the agenda included a discussion of and voting on 26 rule change proposals.

Following are the results on the 2022 rule change proposals from District 9:

Rule Change Proposal                                           Voting Results

#1      (Medical assistance/back-up ambulance)                 Approved
#2      (County fair charting timeline)                               Approved as Amended 
“by 11:59 p.m. of the race date.”
#3      (Microchip optional horses born before 2019)          Rejected
#4      (State vet regulation of microchips)                        Tie
#5      (Draw video and recording)                                    Rejected
#6      (Blood samples for claims)                                     Approved
#7      (Voidable claims – injury)                                      Approved
#8      (Stakes payment dates)                                         Approved
#9      (Driver selection in stakes races)                            Rejected
#10    (Interference before start)                                      Approved
#11    (Trainer continuing education)                                Approved
#12    (Whip specifications)                                             Tie
#13    (Breaking horse disqualification)                            Rejected
#14    (Stallion limit increase)                                          Rejected
#15    (Charitable breedings offered)                                Rejected
#16    (Outstanding horse names)                                      Approved
#17    (No horse name changes)                                        Rejected
#18    (ID of broodmares)                                                  Approved
#19    (Embryo transfers)                                                   Rejected
#20    (Parentage verifications)                                          Approved
#21    (Horse ID requiring chip and FB)                            Approved
#22    (Breeder location)                                                    Rejected
#23    (Equestrian membership fees)                                 Approved
#24    (Addition of equestrian membership)                      Approved
#25    (Universal election date for directors)                      Approved
#26    (Trainer continuing education bylaw)                      Approved

Following the voting, Tanner and USTA COO TC Lane gave an explanation of the Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund and the outside investigation company involved.

Chairperson Marean was unanimously re-elected as district chairperson.

The meeting commenced at noon (EST) and was adjourned at 1:56 p.m.

For the videos of previous USTA District Meetings and the remaining schedule, click here.