The Equestrian Safety and Integrity Authority this week began issuing notices to riders and trainers regarding violations of Rule 9000, the HISA registration regulation. Under HISA, hearings will be scheduled for individuals who do not comply.
Created when the Equestrian Safety and Integrity Act was signed into federal law in 2020, the Agency is responsible for drafting and enforcing uniform rules for integrity and safety in American thoroughbred races. HISA consists of two programs: the Track Safety Program, now in effect, and the Anti-Doping and Drug Control Program, scheduled to begin in January 2023.
In its notices to unregistered persons, HISA noted that Congress provided in the Equestrian Safety and Integrity Act that the Authority to require registration “Insured ” and “Horses Covered”. Further in such notices, individuals are informed that they have 48 hours after receiving their notice to register with the Agency.
Failure to register or participate in a HISA hearing may result in fines or suspension, forfeiture of money, disqualification, or change in the finish of the race in which horses compete as of July 1.
HISA has begun sending notices to regulators across the country of its intent to enforce registration after giving participants an extension of time following the introduction of the federal program earlier this month. Participants were able to race if they had informed race officials that they had attempted to register or were in the process of doing so.
In states where HISA has voluntary agreements with racecourses, managers have the means to rake horses if a refusal to register is declared non-compliant.
Those who do not comply will be brought before a three-man panel of the HISA board, possibly over a period of several days in mid-August.
Louisiana is one of the states where a large group of horse racers are unregistered.
Because the Anti-Doping and Drug Control Program won’t begin until early next year, actions by regulators since HISA’s introduction earlier this month have involved the Road Safety Program. racers and in turn cyclists. HISA announced July 21 that 47 equestrian crop violations have been adjudicated by regulators to date.
Groups from Louisiana, Texas and other states have unsuccessfully challenged HISA in court.
Critics of HISA argue that it creates red tape and additional costs without significant policy changes that would improve safety. A horse was incorrectly disqualified by Belterra . Park managers in the early days of implementing HISA rules.
Texas Racing Commission CEO Amy Cook did not approve sending Lone Star ParkSignals are down this month despite HISA monitoring. The decision was supported by the state and the Texas riders group, with TRC stating that Texas law requires them to participate in the regulation of all aspects of racing and place bets at racecourses. Texas.
After Lone Star Park wraps up its meeting this weekend, Texas won’t conduct its strict purebred meetup until January at Sam Houston Racing Park.
Also on Thursday, HISA published the draft of the Prohibited Substances Technical Document on websitealong with the second from HISA ADMC Committee Chairman Adolpho Birch.
