Careers in Harness Racing The United States Trotting Association (USTA) was founded in 1939 to license participants and officials in racing, establish rules to govern racing and register horses for racing and breeding purposes. Throughout the years, harness racing has developed into a multi-billion dollar industry and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. This booklet provides an introduction to racing specific careers available to aspiring high school and college graduates. Whether you have an interest in horses, farming, mechanics, medicine or management, harness racing has a job that could fulfill your dreams.
Hands-On Equine Careers Bloodstock Agents work as a liaison between horse sellers and buyers. They attend auctions and meetings on behalf of horse owners and buyers and are generally compensated with a percentage of the horse s sale price. They can also be involved in sales preparation, appraisals for insurance and consultation for breeding and marketing stallions. An expert understanding of pedigrees and conformation and the ability to be on the road extensively are required Breeders focus on choosing racehorses to be used as breeding stock that will pass on their exceptional traits, including speed, willingness, a good attitude and conformation. Some may breed to race while others breed to sell at yearling sales. Broodmare Managers oversee the care of the breeding stock at a farm, generally called the broodmare band. They schedule routine vet checks and farrier visits, develop and maintain feed and supplement schedules and coordinate breeding and foaling schedules. Equine Dentists are responsible for the care of horses teeth and mouth. Drivers are hired by trainers and/or owners to correctly steer their horses around various sized racetracks across the country. Modern-day drivers, called catch drivers, generally only drive other people s horses in races. Before being allowed to compete, each aspiring driver must be referenced, tested and licensed by the USTA. Licensing is available for those as young as 12 years old. Farm Managers oversee the general operation of a farm, whether it be breeding or racing. They are responsible for employees, buildings, equipment and horses. Farriers (left) are specialists in equine hoof care. They combine blacksmithing skills (fabricating and adapting horse shoes) with some veterinarian skills (knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the lower leg).
Grooms/Caretakers are responsible for the day-to-day care of a horse under a trainer s guidance. This includes feeding, getting the horse ready for jogging, training or racing, post-workout/ race care and maintaining the overall health of the horse. ID Technicians are responsible for branding each Standardbred with a unique set of letters and numbers used to identify each horse. Tattoos (under the upper lip) and freeze brands (on the right side of the neck), with the character set pre-assigned by the USTA. When called upon, a technician goes out to brand the foal (must be 10 days old to be freeze branded or one year old for lip tattooing). Technicians also collect hair samples for DNA testing and denote the color, sex and white markings of the individual horse. Nutritionist/Feed Suppliers assist trainers and veterinarians with proper nutrition protocol for all racehorses and breeding stock in their care. They could work on behalf of a feed company (ie. Nutrena, Purina, etc) or with a retail feed distributor. Stallion Managers oversee the care of breeding stallions, coordinate breeding schedules and handle stallions for collection of semen for artificial insemination. Trainers are responsible for the dayto-day management, care and training of racehorses. They develop and maintain racehorse athleticism through exercise, training and racing (much like a personal trainer). Before being allowed to compete, each aspiring trainer must be referenced, tested and licensed by the USTA. Licensing is available for anyone who is at least 18 years old. Veterinarians (below) diagnose and treat animal health problems, test and vaccinate against disease. They must graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) from one of 28 veterinary school in the U.S. or five accredited schools in Canada. Regulatory veterinarians are hired by a state racing commission to ensure the integrity of the sport by doing pre- and post-race testing they are in charge of over-seeing the collection of samples, the test barn employees and the chain of custody of the samples. Shippers book, plan and haul horses and equipment from origin to destination. A solid knowledge of trucks, trailers and animal handling is required.
Yearling Managers oversee the care of horses from the time they are weaned (around six months of age) until they head to the yearling sale or to a trainer. They are responsible for nutrition oversight, sales prep, farrier work and general care of yearlings. Racetrack Careers Announcers are responsible for communicating information about the race card with the public, including, but not limited to: pre-race scratches and driver changes, introducing the post parade, giving the race call, announcing the race results and final odds/payouts for wagering. Charters are responsible for noting what horses are in what place, and how far behind the leading horse, at the ¼, ½ and ¾ mile marks as well as at the top of the stretch. They utilize etrack, an online interface created by the USTA, to record race results, driver changes and mutuel information. This is a licensed position Horsemen s Bookkeepers work at the racetrack to ensure purse money is distributed to the correct owners, trainers and drivers.
Identifiers compare the physical horse that enters the paddock on race day to the written description that was submitted by the tattoo technician and via the foal registration application (including sex, color and white markings). They may also verify the different equipment that is worn by each racehorse for the equipment card that is on file at each racetrack. This is a licensed position Journalists (below) are responsible for covering racing, not only for inindustry publications but for general interest magazines, newspapers and websites as well. Story angles include advances, race results and behind the scenes human interest stories. Judges ensure that state racing commissions, racetracks and USTA rules are followed. They oversee the draw for races and post positions in the race secretary s office days before a race is held, are available on-track before and during the day s races, watch each race and determine if there were any rule violations by or objections put forth by participants and have the final say in the order of finish. They are able to assess fines and suspensions based on the racing rules and may need to oversee hearings and appeals by participants. Mutuel Clerks (right) sell and cash wagers at a racetrack or off-track betting parlor. Paddock Judges are responsible for the check-in of horses, drivers and trainers on race day in the paddock, getting the fields on the track for the post parade in accordance with the direction provided by the Presiding Judge, ensures a paddock blacksmith is available and may oversee the breathalyzer test for drivers. This is a licensed position Race Secretaries are responsible for writing the condition sheet for the racetrack, forming races, compiling a list of entries, keeping a complete record of all races, publishing and printing the race program. All of this is done via etrack, the online interface created by the USTA, which allows every track in the country to send the data via the same format. This is a licensed position
Racetrack Management careers are available in areas such as accounting, food and beverage, marketing, operations, security and more. Simulcast Directors are responsible for sending the television signal of their home track out to other racetracks and off-track betting parlors so fans can wager on them, both across the country and internationally. They will also determine what television signals from other tracks their track will take, be in control of signal contracts, special wagers that may take place during certain races and reporting how much is wagered on-track versus off-track. Starters ensure that all horses in a race are given a fair and equitable start. They have the authority to assess fines and/or suspend drivers for any violation of racing rules from the formation of the post parade until the word go is given at the start of the race. This is a licensed position Track Superintendents are responsible for the condition of the track, to ensure the safety of all equine and human participants. They grade, harrow and seal the track based on current and projected weather conditions. Winner s Circle Photographers are at each racetrack and are responsible for taking photos at the finish, during the winners circle presentation and possibly for other publicity opportunities. Photo collages are then made available to owners, trainers, drivers and fans for purchase.
For more information about how to get involved in harness racing, contact: United States Trotting Association 750 Michigan Ave., Columbus, OH 43215 Harness Horse Youth Foundation 16575 Carey Road Westfield, IN 46074 www.ustrotting.com (877) 800-8782 www.hhyf.org (317) 867-5877