Requirements Curriculums Continuing Education Current Lists Calendar Medical Review 2007

        The Racing Officials Accreditation Program for Stewards, Judges, and Officials had its genesis in 1987 when several representatives of the University of Louisville, The Jockey Club, the Association of Racing Commissioners' International and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations - along with four of the sport's most distinguished officials: Keene Daingerfield, Dr. Manny Gillman, Kenny Noe, and Cal Rainey - began meeting to plan such a program.

        It was agreed that, in light of the economic, technological and cultural changes occurring in the pari-mutuel horse-racing industry, it was important to improve the skills and enhance professionalism of racing stewards through a rigorous system of training and testing. While the assumption initially was that the veteran stewards would somehow be 'grand-fathered' in, it was agreed ultimately that every steward, regardless of experience and stature, should have to be tested. The following national goal was adopted: That all stewards working Thoroughbred tracks shall be required to be fully accredited by December of 1996.

        In 1991, the coordinating and operational responsibilities for the Program was turned over to the ARCI (Association of Racing Commissioners' International). Also in 1991, the American Quarter Horse Association, which had been conducting schools for Quarter Horse stewards in cooperation with the University of Arizona, became a sponsor of the national Program, and accreditation efforts were thereby expanded in western states. In 1995, the United States Trotting Association also became a Program sponsor, and immediately set its own goal of fully accrediting all licensed judges at harness-racing tracks.

        As of the spring of 2001 , the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program has now conducted over two dozen official stewards' schools, and has accredited approximately 200 stewards for the racing industry. The acceptance of the Program by the industry has been enthusiastic, and several states already have regulations or statutes that require each of their licensed stewards to be Program-accredited. Many commissions and tracks also request lists of those accredited students available before hiring. And there is no doubt about the positive attitudes of stewards and judges themselves. Everyone agrees that the most rewarding results of this Program have been better informed and more capable racing officials.

Curriculum in Racing Officials Accreditation Program's Basic School

        Basic Schools last for eight days with the actual instruction taking 60 hours over seven days of lectures and discussion. This is followed on the eighth day by video and oral exams. The three-part written exam - about three hours in length - is usually given a month later. This enables candidates time to absorb the material handed out and presented verbally during the course.

• the pre-race exam,
• role of the practicing veterinarian,
• medication ideology and regulation,
• identification of horses,                                                                                                                             Class of November 2007
• the racing secretaries office,
• duties and responsibilities of paddock, placing and patrol judges,
• race film analysis,
• interactions with jockeys,
• working with management,
• media communication,
• overview of mutuel operations,
• the role of the racing commission,
• duties, responsibilities and qualities of stewards or judges,
• legal: the rules of racing (which range from the authority of commissions, trainers responsibilities, conducting hearings to the writing of rulings etc.),
• drugs and medication (classes of drugs, effects of race day medication, handling samples, drug testing procedures etc.),
• security, and,
• substance abuse.

Continuing Education November 2008

Accredited Stewards/Judges Continuing Education
November 17-18, 2008
Holiday Inn Downtown
Louisville, KY

The CE clock begins the year after accreditation is awarded. 

Registration Information: Rate is not available at this time. There will be no on-site registration. Fees include all handout materials. Candidates are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses.

Registration Form: pdf version

Hotel Accommodations:

Holiday Inn Downtown
120 W Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202
 

Rates: Not available at this time.

Airport Information: Louisville International Airport is the airport closest to the hotel.

Starting from:	Louisville International Standiford Field Airport SDF, Louisville, KY
Arriving at:	120 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202-2110
Distance:	5.0 miles	Approximate Travel Time:	7 mins

 

Directions

1.	Start going toward the AIRPORT EXIT - go < 0.1 mi
2.	Continue on FREEDOM WAY - go 0.1 mi
3.	Take ramp toward FAIR/GATES 2-3-4 - go 1.0 mi
4.	Turn on CRITTENDEN DR - go 1.6 mi
5.	Bear on E WARNOCK ST - go < 0.1 mi
6.	Turn onto I-65 NORTH - go 1.9 mi
7.	Take exit #136A onto S BROOK ST toward CHESTNUT ST/BROADWAY - go 0.3 mi
8.	Turn on BROADWAY - go 0.1 mi
9.	Arrive at 120 W BROADWAY, LOUISVILLE, on the

For more information or an application form please call, the Equine Industry Program at 502-852-7617, or write College of Business, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292. Attention: Stewards/Judges Accreditation. Fax: 502-852-4867, or e-mail at: UofL Stewards'/Judges' Accreditation Program.

Basic Steward/Judges Schools 

Basic Stewards/Judges Accreditation School
November  2009
contact the University of Louisville at 502-852-7617

Please check back as information will be posted as it becomes available.

The university will be conducting a Basic Steward/Judge Accreditation School for persons seeking a career as a steward and/or judge. The dates have not been set but will be during the month of November 2009 and will be held in Louisville, KY. The exams will be given on the last day of the school. Registration information will be available at a later date. For more information or an application form please call Terri Burch at 502-852-7617.

Registration Information: The cost for the 8-day course has not been set. There will be no on-site registration. Fees include all handout materials. Candidates are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses.

Registration Form:

Hotel Accommodations:
Holiday Inn Downtown
120 W Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202

Rates:

Airport Information: Louisville International Airport is the airport closest to the hotel.

Starting from:	Louisville International Standiford Field Airport SDF, Louisville, KY
Arriving at:	120 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202-2110
Distance:	5.0 miles	Approximate Travel Time:	7 mins

Directions

1.	Start going toward the AIRPORT EXIT - go < 0.1 mi
2.	Continue on FREEDOM WAY - go 0.1 mi
3.	Take ramp toward FAIR/GATES 2-3-4 - go 1.0 mi
4.	Turn on CRITTENDEN DR - go 1.6 mi
5.	Bear on E WARNOCK ST - go < 0.1 mi
6.	Turn onto I-65 NORTH - go 1.9 mi
7.	Take exit #136A onto S BROOK ST toward CHESTNUT ST/BROADWAY - go 0.3 mi
8.	Turn on BROADWAY - go 0.1 mi
9.	Arrive at 120 W BROADWAY, LOUISVILLE, on the

Ken Stock

Mickey Sample

ROAP (Racing Officials Accreditation Program)

Racing Officials Accreditation Program

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