Page 12 - COVER_October2022.indd

AQHA RACING UPDATE
“We may not be regulators or law enforcement, but we do work in a collaborative effort with everyone we can in the common goal of protecting the American Quarter Horse.”
If you are reading this article, I am certain you love horse racing, and in particular, Quarter Horse Racing! And, because of your love of the sport,
headlines condemning it concern you and make you want to see some change. People often ask, “Why doesn’t AQHA do something?” As your Chief Racing Officer, know that I hear you, and I too want to make sure we are doing all we can do to both protect our horses and preserve the integrity of our sport.
To answer the question, know that AQHA takes a proactive role by staying involved with all related entities that govern the horse racing. Many people don’t truly understand the process, and where our authority stops. Consequently, based on a suggestion to do so by AQHA Racing Committee member Ron Bullock, we have drafted the following detailed description on the topic. Basically, information regarding who does what in our industry.
RACING REGULATION
How does racing regulation process work? What is AQHA’s role? How can you make a difference?
INTRODUCTION
The world of racing and its regulation can sometimes feel like a maze, even for those involved. To those outside the industry, and even horsemen within the industry, the lines of enforcement, authority and responsibility are blurred. Simply put,
most people sincerely do not really know who is responsible for what when it comes to enforcement, authority, and responsibility. So, who is responsible for what? And where should you go to make your voice heard? Read on for more information.
THE PROCESS OF AUTHORITY
Stewards
The first line of regulation are the stewards employed by a racetrack and/or a Racing Commission. Their work is similar to a sports referee, but wide-ranging and very important. They work during the entire race meet, ensuring that the rules are followed.
Each racetrack is unique, but the main duties include:
• Overseeing the business of racing, such as making sure information like scratches and other changes from the program are properly shown on the toteboard and conveyed to the public, and approving racing claims.
• Verifying the attendance of other important jobs, such as paramedics, track and state veterinarians, race chart callers, announcers, and other essential personnel before the first race.
• Ensure the rules of racing are enforced, such as proper horse identification, equipment changes, adjudicating race issues as necessary, and declaring races official.
• Conduct hearings when necessary to
adjudicate a licensee’s offense.
Commissions
The rules of racing are created within each state and overseen by a state racing commission. These commissions are state run and state funded.
At present, the Association of Racing Commissioners International’s model rules serves as a template from which the individual states can set their own regulation. This includes a Uniform Classification Guide
that covers drugs, their classifications, and recommended penalties.
Moving forward, the implementation of the national Horseracing Integrity and Safety
Act will change the regulatory process as we know it today, at least for the Thoroughbred industry. For now, the federal oversight is not inclusive of Quarter Horse racing.
The state commissions work to ensure the integrity of racing to protect the interests of the wagering public and the state.
Although most jurisdiction’s rules are closely aligned to the ARCI Model Rules, each commission has its own rules and regulations, and they enforce rule violations (such as medication violations) that happen within their state’s tracks.
AQHA UPDATE
October 2022
by Janet VanBebber, AQHA Chief Racing Officer
10 SPEEDHORSE October 2022
LESLIE SIMMONS, SPEEDHORSE