United States Trotting Association

There is nothing to compare with the thrills and excitement of harness racing. Imagine, though, for a moment what this great sport would be like if there were no rules for the horsemen, the officials, and the tracks to follow. The resulting chaos would ruin harness racing. The United States Trotting Association was created in 1939 for the very purpose of preventing such a disaster. The USTA has established a solid foundation of rules. It also licenses officials and participants, and registers horses for racing and breeding purposes. All of these actions have fostered the growth of harness racing into a safe, modern, and exciting sport. Harness racing has a grand tradition in the United States, but the old days were not always good. During the Depression years of the 1930s, the sport was at its lowest ebb. There was little public confidence in the trotting sport. Attendance was sparse, purses were meager, and, even worse, the rules of racing were in a shambles. Part of the problem was that three separate governing bodies controlled the conduct of racing, and the conflicting rules and regulations caused confusion. Each of these organizations established its own territorial domain. The American Trotting Association ruled the Midwest; the National Trotting Association governed racing in the East, south, and California; and the United Trotting Association controlled the sport in Ohio. A fourth organization, the American Registry Association, had the responsibility of registering Standardbreds and maintaining breeding records. Yet another group, the Trotting Horse Club of America, promoted stakes and futurities, and published racing dates. At the urging of the late E. Roland Harriman, a group of industry leaders met in 1938 to try to bring some calm to this turbulent climate. The organizations agreed to put aside their differences and created the United States Trotting Association to serve the entire harness racing industry. With harness racing's internal discord ended and a stable new organization in the United States Trotting Association, harness racing got a much-needed impetus for growth. With the introduction of the mobile starting gate and nighttime pari-mutuel racing, the sport enjoyed steady increases in attendance and handle after World War II. From its humble beginnings in a small office under the grandstand at Historic Track in Goshen, New York, the United States Trotting Association has emerged as a major national trade association. Based in Columbus, Ohio, since 1948, the USTA has about 80 employees to carry out its functions. The U.S. Trotting Association governs the sport of harness racing for the entire United States. For administrative purposes, the membership is divided into 11 districts covering the United States. District meetings are conducted each year for the members to discuss industry issues, consider rule changes, and elect new representatives to the USTA Board of Directors. The USTA Board consists of 60 members representing all aspects of harness racing. The USTA administration is headed by the president and executive vice-president. The latter is the chief executive officer and he directs the daily operation of the Association from its Columbus headquarters. In spite of the many significant changes which have occurred in harness racing and the Standardbred industry, the basic mission of the U.S. Trotting Association has not been altered. This mission is: 1. License owners, trainers, drivers, and officials. 2. Formulates the rules of racing. 3. Maintain and disseminates racing information and records. 4. Serve as the registry for the Standardbred breed. 5. Endeavors to ensure the integrity of harness racing. 6. Insists on the humane treatment of Standardbreds. 7. Promote the sport of harness racing and the Standardbred breed. In addition to these objectives, the USTA makes a substantial contribution to other segments of the Standardbred industry. For example, the USTA donates funds for research on a variety of health and safety issues.