Columbus, OH – The U.S. Trotting Association (USTA) will take an active part in the 2026 World Trotting Conference, Nov. 3 – 10 in Christchurch, New Zealand, joining harness racing leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, address industry challenges and explore opportunities to strengthen the Standardbred industry.
USTA Chief Operating Officer and Director of Registry TC Lane will represent the Association, chairing the conference’s Breeders Committee and participating in panel discussions on genomic research, education and professional development.
“The USTA has a great deal of experience to share with the international Standardbred community, and we’re always looking for ways to improve what we do for our members,” said Lane. “This conference gives us an opportunity to contribute to important discussions, learn from other countries and help move our industry forward.”
As chairman of the Breeders Committee, Lane will lead discussions on issues affecting Standardbred breeding and registration, including genetic diversity, reproductive technologies and advances in genomic research. The discussions will provide an opportunity to exchange perspectives on how research and technology may benefit breeders while protecting the integrity and long-term health of the breed.
Lane will also participate in discussions on education and professional development, sharing the U.S. perspective on developing industry talent and supporting the future of harness racing.
“We won’t necessarily approach every issue the same way, but there’s value in understanding what other countries are doing and sharing our own experiences,” Lane said. “The goal is to exchange ideas and bring back information that can benefit our members and the industry.
“We want our members to stay informed about what’s happening and understand why these conversations matter,” Lane added. “We’ll share updates along the way and provide more detail afterward on the discussions and ideas that could benefit our members and the future of harness racing in the United States.”
Members and others interested in following the conference can find the program and additional information on the Harness Racing New Zealand World Trotting Conference website here: https://www.hrnz.co.nz/wtc/programme/.