Rules of Harness Racing

The United States Trotting Association, or the USTA, regulates standardbred horse harness racing. The USTA formulates the rules of racing, registers standardbred horses and licenses trainers and drivers. The USTA was founded in 1939. Beginning in the 1960s, state racing organizations began to regulate racing for their state; however, most states follow the USTA guidelines.

  1. Licensing

    • Drivers must have an active membership with the USTA as well as a driving license. There are several classes of driver's licenses. Matinee, special license and qualifying-fair licenses are issued for amateur races and some qualifying races. When the driver receives 12 qualifying drives within 12 months, he is eligible for a provisional license. A full license is issued when the driver with a provisional license completes 25 pari-mutuel starts in 12 months or 50 starts if the driver has less than 1 year of experience. If the driver has violated the rules of racing, he may receive a conditional license. Drivers must be 12 years old to receive a matinee license, 16 to receive a qualifying-fair license and 18 for provisional and full licenses.

      Trainers are also required to maintain an active membership and a training license. Trainers may obtain a general license. This is a full license to train horses. A limited license allows the holder to train any horses owned by the holder. A conditional license is given to a trainer who has violated the rules of the USTA. Trainers must be at least 18 years old and pass a written exam.

    Horse Registration

    • Owners must be members of the USTA to register a horse with the organization. Horses and foals must be registered before turning 4 years old. Registered horses must have a unique name not used in the past 15 years that is four words and 18 characters or less.

    Starting Gate

    • Races begin behind a starting gate. The horses line up behind the starting gate at least 1/8 of a mile before the starting point on the track. The gate will drive to the starting point, slowly increasing speed until it reaches top speed and pulls away from the horses at the starting point. The race begins when the horses reach the starting point and the starter says "Go."

      In some cases the start will be recalled. In this case the gate will move out of the path of the horses and there will be a new start. Reasons for a recall include a horse passing the gate, problems with the gate itself, a horse falls or a horse has broken equipment.

    Track Rules

    • During the race, there are several things that are prohibited by the horses and drivers. Drivers may not interfere with other drivers by striking or hooking wheels, swerving quickly or cutting off another horse. The driver must maintain control of the horse and not drive recklessly. In addition, drivers may not kick, whip the horse to cause injury or after the race is finished or shout during the race.

    Gaits

    • There are two gaits used during racing: trotting and pacing. Pacers are more common, and in their gait, the front and back feet of each side move together. In other words, when the feet on the right side move forward, the feet on the left are moving back. Trotters are less common. Only about one-quarter of standardbreds are trotters. Their feet move diagonally. In other words, the right front and left rear move forward while the left front and right rear are moving back. If a horse breaks out of his gait, the driver must pull the horse to the outside of the track and get the horse back into his gait. Failure to do this is a penalty.

    Drugs

    • If requested, the trainer and owner must submit the horse to a drug test via urine, blood or saliva. Drugs, stimulants and sedatives are prohibited. Medications must be approved for use in the racehorse. If the horse tests positive for an unapproved drug, the horse and trainer will be suspended from racing until a hearing is conducted, up to 30 days.