A group of 13 people, representing a variety of sectors in the industry, has been assembled to lead the development of the Standardbred Transition Alliance (STA).

The STA will accredit programs serving Standardbreds seeking placement outside traditional commercial uses and also serve as a conduit for partial funding to those groups. The group has filed articles of incorporation and is registered as a charity with the state of Ohio; documents have also been submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to file as a 501(c)(3)charitable entity.

The STA will operate independently of the United States Trotting Association, though the USTA will provide operational support and will have an ex officio spot on the board.

The USTA Board of Directors in March directed Chief Executive Officer Mike Tanner, with assistance from a steering committee comprised of Directors Don Marean, Jacqueline Ingrassia and Fred Nichols, to form the group. The STA will not directly care for horses, but will accredit and provide some funding for groups that meet accreditation standards. It will be modeled after the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which provides financial assistance to about 60 groups annually.

“It is past time that we have a pervasive and proportional system to provide some support to groups helping our horses when they are no longer viable on the racetrack or as bloodstock,” said USTA President Russell Williams. “We have many horse owners that provide for their horses for all of their lives, but that is not an option for every person or every horse. We owe the horses that provide our living and enjoyment a coordinated effort to give them a secure future off the track. The STA will support that goal.”

The STA Board will convene for the first time in early November. The USTA Executive Committee is expected to consider and vote on actions to provide some funding for them at their November meeting. For questions and comments about the STA, email [email protected].

The members of the STA Board are:

• Bill Abdelnour, horse owner and president of the New England Amateur Drivers Association

• Elizabeth Caldwell, owner and manager of Cane Run Farm, Kentucky

• Michelle Crawford, breeder and owner of Crawford Farm, New York

• Moira Fanning, chief operating officer of the Hambletonian Society

• Dr. Donna Franchetti, horse owner and veterinarian

• Kevin Greenfield, breeder and president of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association

• Dr. Patricia Hogan, horse owner, breeder and veterinarian

• Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky, horse owner and veterinarian, manager of Hanover Shoe Farm

• Rick Moore, vice president and general manager of racing at Hoosier Park

• David Reid, owner of Preferred Equine Marketing

• Mitchel Skolnick, breeder and partner in Bluestone Farm

• Kelly Young, executive director of the New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund

(USTA)