The Ontario Racing Commission at its meeting of Thursday, April 24, 2014 resolved that the Rules of Standardbred Racing 2012 be amended by the promulgation of the following Rules, effective immediately.
Racing Under Saddle Appendix
Pari-Mutuel Racing Under Saddle Horse Racing shall be governed by the Rules of Standardbred Racing 2012, with the following exceptions:
All references to the word “Driver” shall be deemed to be “Rider”
All references to the word “Sulky” shall be deleted.
Chapter 2: DEFINITIONS
Racing Under Saddle means a Standardbred trotting race where the horse is ridden, not driven.
Chapter 3: LICENSING
3.10.01 Where a licensee is suspended or fined by the Judges during a Standardbred harness race, the penalty shall be reciprocated for Racing Under Saddle races, and where a licensee is suspended or fined by the Judges during a Racing Under Saddle race, the penalty shall be reciprocated for Standardbred races.
Chapter 6: VIOLATIONS, FINES, SUSPENSIONS & EXPULSIONS
6.02 (h) failure to have proper saddle cloth on a horse when racing.
6.39 Delete
6.39.01 Only properly Commission licensed participants shall be mounted on a horse or pony on the Association grounds, and such participant is required to wear properly affixed and secured helmets and safety vests, as prescribed by Rule 6.39.02. The licensee is responsible for ensuring that his/ her helmet and safety vest meets the safety standards.
6.39.02 Where it is required under the rules, only helmets meeting the following standards shall be used:
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM 1163);
- UK Standards (EN- 1384 and PAS- 015); or
- Australian/ New Zealand Standard (AS/ NZ 3838)
- Snell Memorial Foundations (H2000)
Where it is required under the rules, only safety vests meeting the following standards shall be used:
- British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA: 2000 Level 1 );
- Euro Norm ( EN 13158: 2000 Level 1 );
- American Society for Testing and Materials ( ASTM F2681 – 08 );
- Shoe and Allied Trade Research Association ( SATRA Jockey Vest Document M6 Issue 3 ) ; or
- Australian Racing Board (ARB Standard 1. 1998).
6.39.03 A rider shall adhere to the following equipment restrictions:
- Riding boots must have at least a half (½) inch heel;
- Riding crops shall be no longer than thirty (30) inches in length; and
- Spurs shall not be worn.
Chapter 11: ELIGIBILITY
11.01.02 (d), (e), (f) Delete
11.01.2 (g) The horse is at least 3 years of age to race at any meeting but not older than 14 years of age.
11.01.2 (m) the horse has qualified on the trotting gait
11.02.1 Delete
11.02.2 Delete
Chapter 12: QUALIFYING RACES
Delete in its entirety
12.01.01 Qualifying races will only be held for the trotting gait and a horse will be considered qualified for Racing Under Saddle races if it meets the following standards at the track where the horse is qualifying.
1/2 mile track – 2:16
5/8 mile track – 2:14
7/8 mile track – 2:12
12.01.02 A horse must qualify at least once on the trotting gait prior to the start of any Racing Under Saddle races in any given year, and will not need to re-qualify during that season, unless required to do so by the Judges.
12.01.03 A qualifying race scheduled for Racing Under Saddle participants must have at least three (3) horses.
Chapter 14: OVERNIGHT EVENTS
14.03 Delete
14.10 (c) Delete
14.12 There shall be no trailing horses.
Chapter 15: Claiming Races
Delete in its entirety
Chapter 18: PLACING AND MONEY DISTRIBUTION
18.08.02 If, at a race track which does not have a continuous solid in side hub rail, a horse while on stride leaves the course by going inside the hub rail or other demarcation which constitutes the inside limits of the course, the offending horse shall be placed back where, in the opinion of the judges, the action gave the horse an unfair advantage over other horses in the race, or the action helped the horse improve its position in the race. In addition, when an act of interference causes a horse to cross the inside limits of the course, and the horse is placed by the judges, the offending horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered. Riders, who in the opinion of the judges, leave the racing strip when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another riders and/or horse may be fined or suspended by the Judges.
Penalties for riders violating provision of Rule 18.08.02 are as follows:
- For the 1st offence; a fine of $100 shall be assessed
- For the 2nd offence within a year of the 1st offence and within 750 rides of the 1st offence: a fine of $300 shall be assessed
- For the 3rd offence within a year of the 1st offence and within 750 rides of the 1st offence: a minimum fine of $500 plus a suspension for 3 days shall be assessed.
- For the 4th offence within a year of the 1st offence and within 750 rides of the 1st offence a minimum fine of $1,000 and a suspension for 5 days shall be assessed.
Chapter 22: RACING RULES
22.01 (h) Delete
22.05.01 A rider shall not commit any of the following acts which are considered violations of riding rules:
- (a) Change course or position, or swerve in or out, bump, or bear in or out during any part of the race in such a manner as to compel a horse to shorten its stride or cause another rider to change course, take his or her horse back, or pull his or her horse out of its stride. <rule continued>
22.17.01 A rider must be mounted on the horse at the finish of the race or the horse must be placed as not finishing.
22.17.02 A horse shall be placed as not finishing where the rider at any time during the running of the race was not mounted on the horse but was mounted at the finish of the race. In such case, the Judges may invoke the provisions of Rule 22.32 if they deem it in the public interest to do so.
22.19 Delete
22.20 Delete
22.21.04 Delete
22.23.03 (c) & (d) Delete
22.23.03 At any time while on the grounds of an association, it is an offence for a rider, or the person in control of the horse, to use the whip to hit or make contact with the horse as follows:
- To urge the horse other than in front of the saddle on the shoulder.
- To strike the horse’s head with the riding crop.
22.25 Any trainer who wishes to change bridles on a horse from one race to another shall apply to the Judges for permission to do so, and no change shall be made without such permission. The Judges shall assure themselves of the necessity for any change of bridles before granting permission. Any change of a nature which the Judges are of the opinion that the public should be advised, must be shown on the program or announced to the public before any wagering occurs on that race.
22.25.01 A trainer shall adhere to the following equipment requirements:
- A horse shall wear a safety girth;
- A horse shall have a bit in mouth;
- A horse shall wear a crupper and head check;
- A horse shall wear a breast collar or buxton; and
- A horse shall use either Thoroughbred or Ladder reins.
22.25.02 A trainer shall adhere to the following equipment restrictions:
- No Trotting hopples;
- No Head or line poles;
- No 2 ring martingales;
- No head numbers; and
- No snaps on reins that attach to a bit.
Chapter 25: DRIVERS
25.01 A person shall not ride a horse in a Racing Under Saddle races other than an exhibition or schooling race, without having first obtained a rider licence valid for the current year by meeting the standards as laid down by Standardbred Canada or the United States Trotting Association and being licensed by the Commission.
25.01.01 A rider shall participate and be approved in at least one (1) qualifying race, prior to receiving final approval of their Commission licence. Both the rider and the horse must meet the qualifying standards set out in these rules.
25.02.01 Delete