On a conference call Friday (August 27), the U.S. Trotting Association’s Board of Directors’ Executive Committee voted to maintain the deadline for all horses to be microchipped by Jan. 1, 2022.
“It is important for horsemen to know that all horses must be microchipped in order for them to be eligible to race in 2022,” emphasized USTA COO and Registrar TC Lane. “Our USTA I.D. technicians are continuing to observe stringent safety protocols and are available to assist any horseman who has horses that need to be microchipped.
“Horsemen should also be aware that some states such as California, Minnesota and New York have either existing or pending state laws that all horses must be microchipped to participate in racing or breeding in those states.”
The original deadline, which was a year earlier, was previously extended to 2022 by a unanimous vote of the USTA Board on March 31, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the challenges facing everyone in the harness racing industry as we all endure the real-life difficulties and the economic hardships presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the USTA and the committee felt that it was far more important for our horsemen to utilize financial resources to care for themselves, their families, employees and horses. We’re all in this together and the USTA will help in every way possible,” said USTA President Russell Williams at the time of the March 2020 announcement.
This list of the USTA's I.D. Technicians is available on the their website by clicking here.
(USTA)