from the USTA Communications Department
Columbus, OH — The United States Trotting Association has announced that its Board of Directors will be consulted to ascertain membership support of the recent call by the Association of Racing Commissioners International to ban all race-day medications.
The USTA similarly looks forward to being an active participant in the Racing Medication Testing Consortium’s upcoming international summit, which this summer will investigate the same issue.
“Obviously, this is a controversial topic with many pros and cons,” said Phil Langley, USTA President. “There are many questions to be addressed, including whether the suggested ban is realistic or whether some other actions make more sense. A study committee is being formed and its makeup will be announced shortly.”
The date and location of the RMTC summit will be announced in the near future. USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner, who was recently elected to serve as the RMTC’s treasurer, said that the meeting will solicit input from racing industry stakeholders from around the world.
“I’m looking forward to participating,” said Tanner. “Encouraging dialogue and taking a critical and objective look at what the facts tell us is crucial to ensuring the welfare of the horse and the industry.”
- RCI leaders call for phase out of drugs (Monday, March 28, 2011)
Both the outgoing and incoming chairmen of Racing Commissioners International challenged the racing industry and member regulators to embrace a strategy to phase out drugs and medication in horse racing.
- HTA to recommend support of RCI drug initiative (Thursday, April 21, 2011)
The Executive Committee of Harness Tracks of America has voted to recommend to its Board of Directors that it support the recently announced call by the outgoing and incoming chairmen of the Association of Racing Commissioners International for a “five-year phase-out” of equine medication in horse racing.
- Langley comments on proposed Interstate Horseracing Improvement Act (Friday, May 06, 2011)
Phil Langley, president of the United States Trotting Association, has issued a statement regarding the proposed Interstate Horseracing Improvement Act.