The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has reminded horsepeople to register their stallions for the 2017 state breeding season before the February 1, 2017 deadline. Additionally, owners who wish to register their broodmares for the Pennsylvania Standardbred Breeders Fund Award program must have their horses registered as ‘PA-residents’ by February 15, 2017, to ensure those mares’ foals are eligible for the awards.
A stallion must remain in the state at a declared facility from February 15 to July 4. Breeding can take place within a couple of weeks of either date.
The State Horse Racing Commission’s Bureau of Standardbred Horse Racing must approve of any horse that is to be used as both a stallion and a racehorse in 2017. Additionally, if the stallion competes out-of-state, he must return to his declared Pennsylvania facility after each of those out-of-state races.
Owners who want their broodmares to qualify for ‘resident’ status must have the paperwork postmarked to the commission’s Harrisburg office by February 15. Broodmares must reside in Pennsylvania for at least 180 contiguous days, including foaling, and be in foal to a registered Pennsylvania stallion in order for their offspring to be eligible for the breeder awards.
No registered broodmare is authorized to leave the state for any reason except for a medical emergency. If that occurs, the commission must be notified as soon as possible.
Registration forms are available by contacting Pennie Dodson at 717-787-5196 or [email protected].
(PA Department of Agriculture)