Racing Officials Accreditation Program
821 Corporate Drive Lexington, KY 40503
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Wendy Culberson, ROAP Coordinator (859) 224-2702
ROAP Now Accepting Pete Pedersen Award Nominations
Lexington, Ky. (May 23, 2022) — The Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Pete Pedersen Award to be presented to stewards who have served the sport of horse racing with distinction.
Named in honor of the long-time outstanding steward and noted journalist, Pete Pedersen, the Pedersen Award presentation will be held in conjunction with the annual University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program’s Global Symposium on Racing in December in Tucson, Arizona.
Pedersen worked as a steward in California for 50 years before retiring at the age of 85 in 2005. The Seattle native became the second steward to receive the Eclipse Award of Merit in 2002 and was given the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award in 2008 for serving the racing industry with integrity, dedication, determination and distinction. Pedersen worked at nearly every track on the West Coast, and his reputation of objectivity and kindness is widely known in the racing industry and beyond.
The criteria to be used in determining award recipients includes length of service as a steward, special contributions as a steward, participation in industry initiatives, participation in racing public educational programs, mentoring stewards and racing officials, and participation in educational programs for stewards and racing officials.
The goal is to recognize stewards who have been outstanding in fulfilling their responsibilities in regulating racing but who also give back to the industry.
Anyone can nominate current or retired stewards for the award. A special selection committee from ROAP affiliate organizations will determine the recipient(s).
Nominations are due October 15, 2022. Those wishing to make nominations for the award can do so online by going to the ROAP website – www.horseracingofficials.com and clicking on the green Pete Pedersen Award icon and completing the nomination form or by contacting Wendy Culberson, ROAP Coordinator, at contactus@horseracingofficials.com or 859-224-2702.
***ROAP, which receives primary funding from The Jockey Club and is based in its Kentucky office, is a 501(c)(6) organization whose board of directors is made up of representatives from 15 industry organizations and 10 at-large representatives. Stewards and judges receive their accreditation and continuing education credits through this program. The website address for ROAP is www.horseracingofficials.com.