The Standardbred Committee of the Association of Racing Commissioners International approved changes to the whipping rule in an effort to crack down

on abusive uses of the whip during the running of races. The rule was approved by the committee during a meeting at the Lexington Hilton Downtown Hotel and Conference Center on April 22.

The committee recommended in all Standardbred races the length of the whip shall not exceed four feet and the use of a snapper is prohibited. All whips will be inspected by the paddock judge under the direction of the presiding judge and alternation of approved whips is prohibited.

Drivers will be prohibited from whipping the horse below the shaft and stifle area, and the use of any object or stimulating device is prohibited. Drivers are required to keep a line in each hand from the start to the finish of the race. Violations of these rules may result in a fine, suspension, disqualification, and/or commission referral.

“I appreciate the concern and the interaction of Standardbred Canada, United States Trotting Association, and the jurisdictions of Indiana and Kentucky who have laid the ground work for the drafting of our model rule today,” said Hugh Gallagher, Standardbred committee chairman.

“This important change in direction with serious sanctions will let all participants in Standredbred racing know that we are serious about making changes to the current use and abuse of the whip in Standardbred racing.”

Gallagher said special appreciation goes out to Tom Charters of the Hambletonian Society and Joe Gorajec, executive director of the Indiana Racing Commission, who helped in the drafting of the rule.

“As a result of today’s action, I am most happy for our Standardbred race horses who now will be raced in a far more humane fashion,” Gallagher said.

Under the recommendations of the committee, the rule change will now be forwarded to the full RCI membership for consideration April 23. If approved by the full membership, the full-text rules will be found on the ARCI Web Site.

(ARCI)