NEWS and EVENTS

News:

July 25, 2022 A new medication rule in Ohio that prohibits Amicar use and changes requirements for qualifying on or off lasix or being forced off lasix for a race or in another state is working its way through the legislative process.  The final rule language is here. Projected effective date is October 1, 2022. As soon as we have the actual effective date for the new rule we will provide an update.

 

July 12, 2022 Our current employee is moving onward and upward into a new role, leaving an open position! We are looking for a, Publications, Marketing, and Outreach Assistant  to join Ohio's dynamic PR and Marketing team.  Submit your resume and salary expectations to: rmancino@ohha.com by 5:00 p.m. on July 22, 2022. Submissions must include salary expectation for consideration.

 

June 21, 2022 Ohio State Racing Commission has removed the therapeutic medication, isoxsuprine from the OSRC Therapeutic Substance List effective September 1, 2022.  The FDA withdrew approval and the Association of Racing Commissioners International established isoxsuprine as a non-approved substance. Being non-approved results in a violation at the level of detection.  The updated OSRC Therapeutic Substance list is here. Note, isoxsuprine can be detected in post-race samples for a variable time period, if in use consult with your racetrack veterinarian for guidance on out-time for the September 1st effective date.

 

May 19, 2022 Ohio Worker's Compensation Informational session. Click this link for a video playback of the meeting, and click this link for the meeting materials.

 

February 23, 2022, New Lasix rule announced in Ohio.  Must go through time-line on Ohio administrative code rule process, so no effective date yet.  Effective date is expected in the fourth quarter of 2022.  Major changes. Once furosemide certified in Ohio there will be no waiting period to race.  On and off furosemide is up to the trainer with the advice of their veterinarian.  After furosemide certification, the 90-day and 30-day rules continue to apply.  If leaving Ohio for a no-Lasix race or no-Lasix jurisdiction you can return to Ohio and race without being re-certified and no 90 or 30-day violations.  No qualifying to go off or on furosemide.   No more Aminocaproic acid therapeutic use in Ohio, moved to level of detection for a violation.  Advice is not to train on Amicar due to the risk of a positive test.  Positive tests have been seen at longer out-times (8 days) in at least four other jurisdictions that moved to Level of Detection in the last year.  Pending Rule is here.

 

January 31, 2022- March 1, 2022 Ohio on-track mandatory safety vest update.  Two manufacturers and Big Dees are available for members at a discount.  Tipperary Competitor vests can be purchased direct from the manufacturer https://tinyurl.com/OHHAs for $270 shipped using Code: OHA10.  Big Dees will price-match.  Australian Manufactured Vipa II vests https://tinyurl.com/OHHAm are limited availability through the OHHA for $270 (pickup only until sold out).  The OHHA will have samples at the February 8th Blooded Horse Sale.

 

December 15, 2021 Ohio State Racing Commission Directive modifies effective date for mandatory safety vest use effective March 1, 2022. Anyone on the track with a horse must wear one, including outriders. When driving or warming up horses the vest must be worn underneath racing colors. Horse racing certified safety vest manufacturer Tipperary Equestrian will provide OHHA Members a discount and free shipping, details to follow on discount. See below the various standards that are recommended:

 

Safety Vests must comply with one of the following minimum standards or later revisions:

(a)   British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA):2000 Level 1

(b)  Euro Norm (EN) 13158:2000 Level 1

(c)   American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2681-08 or F1937.

(d)  Shoe and Allied Trade Research Association (SATRA) Jockey Vest Document M6 Issue 3

(e)   Australian Racing Board (ARB) Standard 1.1998

A safety helmet or a safety vest shall not be altered in any manner nor shall the product marking be removed or defaced.

 

December 9, 2021 Ohio State Racing Commission announces effective January 1, 2022 Head numbers will be eliminated at pari-mutuel racetracks.  Fairs can retain head numbers by application.  Also announced effective as-of January 1, 2022 Safety vests are mandatory when seated behind a horse on the racetrack.

 

Archived News and Announcements Click Here

 

Events:

• April 14, 2022  OHHA October 2nd Quarter Board of Directors' Meeting, General Session Meeting 11:00 a.m.

 

• July 14, 2022  OHHA October 3rd Quarter Board of Directors' Meeting, General Session Meeting 11:00 a.m.

 

• October 20, 2022  OHHA October 4th Quarter Board of Directors' Meeting, General Session Meeting 11:00 a.m.

 

• January 13-14, 2023 OHHA 1st Quarter Board of Directors' Meeting, General Session Annual Meeting, and Annual Banquet. Hilton Polaris, 8700 Lyra Dr, Columbus, OH 43240.

WELCOME TO THE OHIO HARNESS HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION

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• 2022 Ohio Stakes Race Nominations, Forms, and Points

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• Ohio Breeder's Awards - 2022 Registration Form (foals of '23)

• Resource Guide

• Publications: Newsletters, Buckeye Harness Horsemen Magazine, Ohio Stallion Directory.

• Youth Scholarship Application - Deadline June 1, 2022

• Groom Award

• Ohio Legislative

• P.A.C.E.R.

• In Memoriam

• Caesars Grandstand Update

Attention Horsemen:

All date-based deadlines:  All date based programs in Ohio (stakes nominations, scholarship applications, feature race grant applications, capital improvement grant applications, breeder's award mare registrations, etc.) all follow the same date deadline protocol.  Receipt at the OHHA Office by close-of-business on the deadline date, or official U. S. Postal Service postmark ONLY.  Either is acceptable for deadline date receipt proof.  Note.  One common misconception is a metered mail date is a postmark.  It is not.  A postmark is an imprint put on by the USPS Office that accepted the mail.  The postmark date is the only date on mailed items that is used to determine whether mail was sent on or before a deadline date.  We recommend you personally witness the postmark being placed on your envelope if you mail near or on the deadline date.  If received after the deadline date, a postmark is after the deadline date, or is missing, the submission is considered late and will be returned.

 

Negative Coggins Test: A horse’s Coggins must be valid at the time of entry in Ohio racetracks and fairs.  Check your Coggins test expiration date.  If your Coggins is valid at the time of entry and expires at the time of racing the horse will be scratched if you do not provide the valid Coggins negative test result to the race office prior to the race date.  In addition to the scratch, the trainer will be subjected to a minimum $200 OSRC fine for a rule violation under 3769-15-30!  Please make sure all horse’s Coggins Tests are up-to-date upon entry and will remain so through race day!

 

OSS Allowance:  Under Rule 4 there is no allowance on time for two-year-olds. The OSS qualifying times are as listed under Rule 4, “Requirements to Start”. For added information check the Official OSS Conditions.

 

For those racing in nearby Kentucky.  As passed by the Kentucky Racing Commission in April 2020, Effective October 25, 2020 Kentucky moved therapeutic medications off the ARCI thresholds to zero tolerance or "level of detection" for a violation.  That includes therapeutics, Triamcinolone, Betamethasone, Diclofenac (Surpass), Firocoxib. Note also that Lasix use was prohibited in 2 year-olds in 2020 and "stakes races" in 2021.