Racing Officials Accreditation Program
for Stewards, Judges, and Officials
Requirements
Curriculums
Continuing Education
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
The curriculum of the 60-hour Basic
Schools cover the responsibilities and interactions that make up any steward,
judge or licensed official's day-to-day activities. It generally includes:
Class of November 2007
Experience Requirements:
Experience Form (pdf format) Experience Form (Word format)
1. At least 225 days, within ten years, of experience as a licensed racing official as defined by the Steward Accreditation Committee. Graduates of the University of Louisville or the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in the Equine/Racetrack Industry Program shall receive credit for 100 days of experience and must complete only 125 additional days as a licensed racing official within ten years. OR
2. Experience in the pari-mutuel horse racing industry as a licensed trainer, jockey, or driver for (i) 5 years (average 200 starts per year for drivers and 100 for trainers) and 150 days experience as a racing official; or (ii) 10 years (average 200 starts per year for drivers and 100 for trainers) and 100 days experience as a racing official; or (iii) 15 years (average 200 starts per year for drivers and 100 for trainers) and 50 days experience as a racing official; or (iv) completion of the Steward or Judge Internship Program. OR
3. Be presently employed as a steward, for a length of time in the opinion of the Steward Accreditation Committee, to meet the requirements of 1 or 2, listed above. OR
4. Experience in the horse racing industry of a character and for a length of time sufficient, in the opinion of the Racing Official Accreditation Program Committee, to meet the requirements of 1, 2, or 3, listed above.
Scholarship:
The Race for Education is offering a $500.00 scholarship for this steward/judge school. To receive an application visit the website - http://www.horseracingofficials.com/resources/raceforedapp.pdf. The application deadline is September 1, 2009.
Basic Steward/Judges Schools
Basic ROAP Stewards/Judges Accreditation School
November
11-18, 2009
Founders Building, Shelby Campus
9001 Shelbyville Rd
Louisville, KY
The university will be conducting a Basic Steward/Judge Accreditation School for persons seeking a career as a steward and/or judge. The exams will be given on the last day of the school. For more information or an application form please call Terri Burch at 502-852-7617.
Registration Information: The cost for the 8-day course is $500 by October 12, 2009 and afterwards increases to $550. There will be no on-site registration. Fees include all handout materials. Candidates are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. The class is capped at 50.
Registration Form: pdf File or Word File
Hotel Accommodations:
NOTE: The hotel is within walking distance to Shelby Campus.
Residence Inn by Marriott Louisville East, 120 N. Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville,
KY 40222
Rates: $89/night plus taxes for either
single or double occupancy. Be sure to mention you are attending the UofL
Steward/Judge Program to receive the discounted rate.
Reservation Deadline:
October 10, 2009
Reservations:
502.425.1821 Ext. 408 - Contact: Jonathan Hunt
Airport Information: Louisville International Airport is the airport closest to the hotel.
Continuing Education November 2009
Accredited ROAP Stewards/Judges Continuing Education
November 16-17, 2009
207 Burhans Hall, Shelby Campus
9001 Shelbyville Rd
Louisville, KY
The CE clock begins the year after accreditation is awarded.
Registration Information: $125/person if received by October 12, 2009. Late registration fee of $175 for registrations received after October 12. 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:
NOTE: The hotel is within walking distance to Shelby Campus.
Residence Inn by Marriott Louisville East, 120 N. Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville,
KY 40222
Rates: $89/night plus taxes for either
single or double occupancy. Be sure to mention you are attending the UofL
Steward/Judge Program to receive the discounted rate.
Reservation Deadline:
October 10, 2009
Reservations:
502.425.1821 Ext. 408 - Contact: Jonathan Hunt
Airport Information:
Louisville International
Airport is the airport closest to the hotel.
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.
ROAP (Racing Officials Accreditation Program)
Racing Officials Accreditation Program
