Tightening Down

May 14, 2025
Hoof Beats Magazine

Types : Bylined Articles

Newly adopted USTA rules aim to further safeguard integrity

For too long, USTA members have watched in frustration as suspended and unlicensed
individuals continued to participate in the Standardbred economy—seemingly unabated and in violation of USTA and state racing rules. This is a significant problem. Ineligible individuals’ illegitimate activities in the Standardbred industry undermine the integrity of the sport by allowing their negative influence to continue while causing upstanding members of the racing community to feel that rule violations carry no consequences.

The USTA shares in its members’ frustration and is doing something about it. The association has put resources into enforcement, including by deputizing the Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund (SRIF) to pursue investigations on its behalf and steadfastly enforcing rule violations when wrongdoing is established. The USTA also recently reformed its rules and bylaws to enable the association to more effectively confront the problems at hand.