Points of Emphasis | Racing Officials Accreditation Program

These Points of Emphasis are subject to the following LEGAL PROVISIONS - Please Read Carefully

The Points of Emphasis

The Points of Emphasis were designed to provide guidelines to follow for coordinating continuing education programs.

2023-2024 Points of Emphasis

2023-2024 Points of Emphasis page link here.

Protocol for communication regarding Starter’s List; Steward’s List; and Vet’s List
- Establish protocols that require communication between Starter, Stewards and/or Regulatory Veterinarian regarding horse(s) being place on or removed from Starter’s List; Steward’s List and/or Vet’s List.
- Prevent horses from “falling through the cracks” when they should be added or removed from any of the Lists.
- Procedures for Stewards to review horses who have questionable races (i.e., are eased) but are cleared by the Veterinarian after the race.
- Possibility of including in Incompass reporting the requirements for a horse to be removed from a List.
- Uniform procedures for Stewards for putting a horse on and/or removing a horse from the Steward’s List; and for a horse being put on and/or removed from the Starter’s List or the Vet List.
- Procedures for communications between Stewards and Racing Commissions or other personnel from a track that has placed a horse on a particular list and another track when the original track is not racing at that time and the subsequent track needs information to determine allowing that horse to race.
- The ability of Stewards to have verbal communication with other jurisdictions and then remove a horse from a List to allow them to race pending formal removal by the jurisdiction having placed the horse on the List.
- Create a policy at the beginning of the meet that requires the racing office to notify stewards when an override is made on any horse on any list prior to the draw for which that horse in entered.
Best Practices Module for putting a horse on the Starter’s List; Steward’s List or Vet’s List
- Uniform procedures for a horse being put on a List. Factors to be considered: (not an exhaustive list)
  - How far the horse was beaten in the current race
  - Overall fitness of the horse
  - Last time the horse raced
  - Track condition
  - Equipment used or needed
  - Interview with Jockey or others associated with horse
  - Vet check
  - Any other issues with the horse
Communication by Stewards with Stakeholders
- Training, education and protocol for Stewards to communicate with stakeholders.
- Stewards being well-versed, knowledgeable, and able to explain the process of decision-making and use the appropriate terms and describe procedures.
- Possibility of having someone to review/explain process (similar to what retired official does for NFL games from the booth) for media and/or social media purposes.
Detection of Hidden Ownership of Horses
- Switching ownership to avoid licensing
- Claiming situations
- “Paper” trainers, “fake” trainers, “bearded” trainers – is it too easy to get a trainer’s license allowing this to continue? (A paper trainer is not a licensed trainer in good standing that sends a horse to another trainer/track for a particular race.)
Steward’s Reports
- What reports are needed/required?
- Proper completion of reports
- The difference between the steward’s minutes and a daily report of regulatory actions suitable and encouraged to be made public at the end of each day of racing. Contents of report could include:
  - scratches (gate, vet, etc.)
  - changes
  - inquiries
  - rulings written
  - accidents
  - hearing information when appropriate
  - claims
  - voided claims
  - horses selected for testing (if not a HISA jurisdiction)
  - horses tested when worked to come off vets list (HISA procedures)

2021-2022 Points of Emphasis

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Use and Regulation of the Riding Crop
Understanding Microchips, Digital Certificates, Track Manager, InCompass and the eTrack System
Effective Public Speaking and Communication Strategies for Stewards/Judges When Their Role of Trier of Fact (during the hearing process) Changes to That of a Witness Upon Appeal
Benefits of Working as a Team: the practicing vet/regulatory vet/aftercare trifecta
Best Practices for Pre-Meet Communications with Licensees

2019 - 2020 Points of Emphasis

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Racehorse Aftercare Awareness
Interference Rules and Protocols: Consistency in Decisions
Understanding Microchips and Digital Certificates
Concussion Protocols and Return to Ride
Media Training

2017 - 2018 Points of Emphasis

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Crop Issues and Usage of the Riding Crop
Human Drug Usage: Testing, Prescription Verification, and Contamination Prevention
Improved Public Perception: Transparency, Consistency, and Decision Making in the Stand
Resources for Biosecurity: Plans for Reduction of Contamination and Spread of Infectious Disease
Multiple Medication Violations
Immigration and Licensing

2016 Points of Emphasis

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Reciprocity of Lists - veterinarian, steward and starter
Stewards/Judges Code of Conduct
Encourage Consistency and Uniform Enforcement of Interference Rules
Enforcement of the Use of the Whip or Racing Crop Rules and Regulations

2015 Points of Emphasis

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Understanding the necessary protocols and procedures to reduce program trainers
Assessing implementation of industry initiatives at the racetrack
Understanding licensing protocols and reviews
Review and understand rule violation penalty determinations
Understanding and implementation of catastrophic review committees
Importance of writing, downloading and publishing of steward's rulings

2014 Points of Emphasis

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Encourage the use of technology for RCI database, InCompass, etc by all stewards
Understanding the application of the National Uniform Medication Program including the Multiple Medication Violation Program and how it affects your jurisdiction
Ensure clear and concise verbal and written explanations of stewards’ decisions, daily reports and disseminate to the media through track and/or racing regulatory websites
Encourage consistency and uniformity in enforcement of interference rules
Understanding Addictive Behavior Treatment Programs available in your jurisdiction

2013 Points of Emphasis

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Reciprocity: Lists and Licensees
Protocols for Declaring a Race as No-contest
Stewards'/Judges' Meetings with Racing Officials, Racetrack Staff and Horsemen Prior to Start of the Race Meet
Protocols for Reciprocity of Suspensions, Summary Suspensions and Restraining Orders

2012 Points of Emphasis

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Reciprocity: Lists and Licensees
Test Barn and Laboratory - Familiarity with the standard operating procedures and their application to operations.
Stay up to date on current and new rules, policies and directives in your specific jurisdiction and initiate model rule implementation
Stable Rosters and Employees - Maintaining current and accurate information and making effective use of the information.
Racing Office & InCompass - Understanding the racing office procedures and InCompass to provide accurate and timely information for horsemen and the public.
Media Communication Training - Training and coordination of media communication with commissions and associations.

2011 Points of Emphasis

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Reciprocity of all lists through the use of the InCompass system
Review track safety rules, procedures and standards with all track management, officials and horsemen and establish track safety committees
Stay up to date on current and new rules, policies and directives in your specific jurisdiction and initiate model rule implementation
Enforcement of the use of the whip and/or racing crop rules and regulations in your jurisdiction (including that the racing crop meets the minimum standards and specifications) and if not adopted in your state, advocate for the model rule ARCI-010-035, A(1) and E(7)
Ensure that clear and concise verbal and written explanations of stewards' decisions and rulings are given to the media and public especially regarding claims of foul or inquiries including non calls

2010 Points of Emphasis

Reviewing procedures with all officials at the start of each race meet (May extend to include jockeys/drivers, horsemen, veterinarians, track superintendent, out-riders, EMTs, etc.)
Stressing routine procedures and mechanics with officials
Promoting consistency through weekly review by racing officials and riders competing at the track of all racing incidents
Encouraging maximum participation in ROAP video surveys
Stressing proper use of the riding crop with jockeys and drivers
Supervising the enforcement of rules
Honoring and reciprocating on all lists, including stewards and vets lists
Taking appropriate measures to resolve licensing issue

2009 Points of Emphasis