RUS NY Announces Fair Series Dates and Conditions

 

The excitement of racing under saddle at New York State county fairs will return this season. 

Committee members of RUS New York, an organization that helps promote the sport and the versatility of Standardbreds, are excited to announce racing will be back after going on a year hiatus because of the pandemic. Races are scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 8 at Afton Fair with a fair final set at Goshen Historic Track on Sunday, Sept. 5 pending funding. 

According to the group’s treasurer Michelle Miller, RUS NY has committed to funding eight races at county fairs so that much is guaranteed as long as there are horses and riders to fill the box. She said she is hopeful that the series’ past flagship sponsor, The New York Sire Stakes, will pull through with some grant funds to ensure a full series. 

RUS NY President Cathy Gearwar said horses and riders will still accumulate points earned along the way and awards will be given regardless if there is a final or not. According to race conditions, horses and riders will need to participate in at least three races to qualify for awards. That is the same number of races required to qualify for the final, if one is held. 

Each race will go for a purse of $1,000 unless split up into more than one division. Purse distribution will be done a little differently this year. All participants will earn $100 each and the remaining purse funds will be distributed based on a percentage of starters like in the past.  Fair rules and conditions can be found at: https://rus-newyork.com/fair-conditions-2/.

Also new this year, pacers may participate in the races. Pacers may be assigned post positions if races cannot be divided by gait.  MOST entries will be taken 5 days before the race (omitting Sundays) to have them ready for programming to avoid any issues. The group handles RUS entries so do not try to call the hotline. More information on entries will be announced soon. 

Fundraising is required to partake in the series. Please visit https://rus-newyork.com/rules-regulations/ for more details. Fair qualifying requirements have also changed and can be found with the same link. 

Official dates and locations for the races are as follows:

• Thursday, July 8 ---- Afton Fair (noon post) 

• July 15 -  Genesee County at Batavia (must have 4 entries) (12:30 p.m. post) 

• Tuesday, July 20 --- “Little World’s Fair" in Hemlock (noon post)

• Tuesday, July 27 --- Oneida County in Boonville (11AM Post)

• Tuesday, Aug. 3 --- Otsego County Fair in Morris (noon post)

• Sunday, Aug. 8 --- Tioga County in Owego (noon post)

• Tuesday, Aug. 10 --- Schoharie County Sunshine Fair in Cobleskill (noon post) 

• Monday, Aug. 16 --- Steuben County in Bath (noon post)

• Friday, Aug. 20 --- Madison County in Morrisville (10 a.m. post)

• Tuesday, Aug. 24 --- Tompkins County in Trumansburg (noon post)

RUS New York is still accepting sponsorships. The sooner one gets on board the more exposure one will get. For as little as $200, sponsors will be put in all fair race programs. Please contact Gearwar at fourgears@shoreham.net or call (802) 537-2145 for more information. Other ways to support the group is through providing donations such as tickets to places and events, gift certificates, gift baskets and other items that can be used to raise money at various fundraising events.

What is Racing Under Saddle: 

Also known as Monte Racing, RUS, is a hybrid between harness racing and 

thoroughbred racing. The sport consists of a rider atop a Standardbred in a saddle instead of pulling a sulky.  RUS is an exciting part of international standardbred racing and is conducted daily at most European tracks as part of their regular pari-mutuel wagering programs.

The Fair Series is organized by RUS NY, an organization that helps coordinate and promote under saddle races across the state. The main goal is to promote the unique sport,  educate about the versatility of the Standardbred breed as both a racing and a riding horse and to help Standardbreds find great homes after they finish their days on the track.

To keep up on RUS NY happenings follow the group at:

• Facebook.com/RUSNYSeries

• http://rus-newyork.blogspot.com

• Rus-newyork.com

RUS NY To Race Fair Series, Schedule Not Yet Set

Typically we would have a race schedule and conditions out for the RUS New York Fair Series by now. 

The good news is we will be racing again this year after having a year hiatus because of the pandemic. The bad news is we are still waiting on the harness racing schedule to be able to finalize our race schedule.  Scheduling racing at the fairs has been held up because of Covid guidelines and many unforeseen unknowns. 

We have had many fairs reach out to us in hopes of including us in their racing program and we are hoping to fit in as many as we can without having back-to-back races and most likely no races within the same week as we do not have enough riders or horses to commit to that.

Some county fairs will be hosting races during the week they have a fair while others will not. We will post dates and conditions as soon as we know more. 

This will mark the seventh RUS New York Fair Series. RUS New York highly relies on sponsorship funds to be a success and the group is still looking for potential sponsors. For as little as $200, sponsors will be put in all forms of promotion that we do for the season. This includes being featured in all fair race programs  and much more. The earlier one gets on board, the more exposure one will receive.

For more information, visit http://rus-newyork.com/become-a-sponsor/ or contact our Sponsorship Director and President Cathy Gearwar at fourgears@shoreham.net or by phone at (802) 537-2145.

Afton Fair RUS Conditions Announced, Entries Due July 3

This race's winner circle leadline presentation is sponsored by 
T&K Harrington LLC.

Afton Fair RUS Conditions 

Entries will be taken by RUS New York via email or text and must be submitted by 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 3. Email: rusnewyorkseries@gmail.com text: (607) 643-8047. You will get a confirmation email or text back. You can also call the number if you do not have email or text.

Purse: No less than $800 to be distributed evenly. Winner will also get halter and leadline. 

Anybody entering the fairgrounds must pass a temperature check and sign a Covid release. 

Horses must have rabies and coggins and be checked in with secretary no later than 15 minutes before the noon time post no matter when the race is scheduled. Rider waiver, W-9(s) and purse authorization must be turned in the day of the race NO EXCEPTIONS! Nobody should get on a horse until paperwork is handed in. 

No entry fee 

Riders and horses do not need to be qualified as this is being held as an exhibition race.  Please be responsible and ride and practice as much as possible before the race to make for safe racing. Entries can be denied at the discretion of the race secretary or RUS NY Committee. 

Riders must wear helmet, safety vest, colors and proper boots at all times while on a horse. 

Horse Eligibility Requirements

All horses participating in RUS events must be registered with either the United States Trotting Association or Standardbred Canada in the name of the current owner. No horse under the age of three shall be eligible to start, however horses older than 14 will be permitted.

Horses that plan on racing under saddle must have RUS electronic eligibilities activated prior to entering for any RUS event. This is in addition to the eligibility they hold for regular harness events.Pacers and trotters will race together 

Required Equipment

(a)  Bridle with bit and overcheck.

(b)  Rubber racing, Ladder reins or Double “French” reins.

(c)  Crupper.

(d)  English, monte, or jockey saddle. Overgirth on saddle with only one billet.

(e)  Breast collar or buxton.

(f)  Appropriate saddle pad.

(g)  Head numbers, head poles, line poles and two-ring martingales are prohibited.  Line burrs are now allowed 

(h)  Securing the rider to the saddle and/or the legs or feet of the rider in the stirrups, including but not limited to tying the stirrups to the girth, banding the feet in the stirrups is prohibited. 

*** hobbles are allowed 

RUS NY Won’t Be Hosting Fair Series, But Has One Fair On Board To Race

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the RUS NY Fair Series is cancelled for 2020.  However, we are happy to announce at least one fair will be hosting a race and conditions are set. 

“The shutdowns due to the virus have caused countless disappointing consequences, and that is an understatement,” said the organization’s president Cathy Gearwar. 

She said members of the RUS New York Management Committee have decided to take this year and focus on fundraising to make sure a complete series can happen in 2021. The management committee will help to plan races if venues are still interested in having races on an individual basis but cannot guarantee rider and horse availability. 

“The plan for this year is to only hold races being funded by the host track and save our funds for next year so we can have a series and satisfy our commitments to our sponsors,” explained Gearwar, who is also the group’s sponsorship director. 

“Fundraising and sponsorships are more important than ever because once racing is back the funds need to be there to continue and we cannot rely on getting the New York Sire Stakes grant funds that we normally receive,” she continued. “We thank everyone who has supported us and appreciate your patience and understanding through this all.” 

Sponsors who have already supported the group are posted on the RUS NY website, rus-newyork.com, with most having links to their website or Facebook pages. For more information on sponsorship opportunities please visit: http://rus-newyork.com/become-a-sponsor/. 

“We really need to use this year to rebuild and try to get new blood interested in the sport,” Gearwar said. “We cannot give up and look at it as a total wash out year. We would love to network and help out anyone who would be interested in getting licensed and try it out.” 

On a more positive note, RUS NY has been able to work with race secretaries at Afton Fair to still be able to put on a race on Thursday, July 9.  It will be held as an exhibition race. The conditions can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tRlxBoekNgcDqz9_qE_4ZN8zyN86jx4BlSFHz_4Sw7A/edit?usp=sharing. 

The group is holding a raffle to help raise funds for the 2021 season. Winners will be drawn in October via Facebook Live. Date and time TBA at a later date and the video will be left on the RUS New York Series Facebook page for all to be able to view. All prizes are good through 2021. Names will be drawn for the amount of prizes offered. Once the drawing is done the president will call each individual to choose one of the prizes. Then the next person will be called and so on. Tickets can be purchased from riders or online at https://rafflecreator.com/pages/37801/rus-ny-fundraising-raffle?fbclid=IwAR2oEiTlkMi8cwSwBms4mgTHNNoel0lK0EGKj3ydwGm3k3HGnb4hTLsgWqg. 

Plans For Uncertainties Announced

RUS New York is facing the same unknowns as the rest of the world because of forced cancelations caused by the Coronavirus.  At this time, there is no way to know if there will be a racing season or not. There is a lot still up in the air, as some things have been put on hold. 

Will there be fairs? If not, will the racing season still go on? Will some of the season be canceled instead of all of it? 

The future of the 2020 RUS NY Fair Series largely depends on the existence of county fair harness racing and grant money provided by the organizations’s flagship sponsor, the New York Sire Stakes and Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund. 

“We are considering all options for saving the season or some part of it, but also considering what to do if canceled,” said Kelly Young Executive Director of the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund. 

She said there are still plans to review the RUS NY grant needed to host the series, but at a later date. For now, grants and the publication of the fair book is on hold, according to Young. She said, “Because we are the epicenter, all these decisions may be made for us.”

“If the grant does not get approved, there will be no racing series,” RUS NY Marketing Director and Treasurer Michelle Miller said.  "A couple of individual races at fairs that do open may be possible in this event, determined on a case by case basis.”

According to Miller, the most important thing right now is to make sure RUS NY sponsors know they will be taken care of no matter what happens. 

Committee members held a meeting in early April to form a plan. If the season is canceled all sponsorships will be transferred to the following season. Sponsorships get added to the RUS NY website as the group receives funds so sponsors will actually be advertised longer if this is the case, she explained. If only some races are cut, sponsors will be included in that many races in 2021. Winner circle leadline sponsors will be transferred to the following season or possibly be allowed to switch to available races not spoken for if available.   

Questions about sponsorship for this year can be sent to Director of Sponsorships Cathy Gearwar at fourgears@shoreham.net or through the Facebook page, RUS NY Series. 

“We will take care of our sponsors,” Gearwar said. “They are essential to our existence.”

Sponsors can be found at http://rus-newyork.com/sponsorship-fundraising/our-2020-sponsors/. Most logos are linked to the sponsor’s direct website or Facebook page. Please show your support! 

RUS NY is also looking for items for an online raffle, keeping in mind the drawing will be done in the fall. Items should be easily mailable and good through 2021. The deadline is May 31. Contact Gearwar for more information. 

BECOMING A SPONSOR: 

For as little as $200, sponsors will be put in all forms of promotion that we do for the season. This includes being featured in all fair race programs (generally parimutuals will include a page of our sponsors as well) and much more. The earlier one gets on board, the more exposure one will receive.

What you get for your buck:

Just for donating you will be provided advertisement on our website. 

For just $200 or more you will get a mention in all promotions such as race programs. (200 copies are printed for each fair) 

For $500 or more you will be provided everything above as well as a feature spot on our homepage and inclusion on a bucket to be used as a prize throughout the season. 

We will link your website or Facebook page to any ad on our website if provided

There will be limited opportunity to become a sponsor for a winner’s circle presentation. This offering will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. Sponsors will have their info printed on a lead line to be handed out after each race. A group photo is taken with the lead line being presented and an announcement is made on the sponsor’s behalf. Please visit
www.rus-newyork.com for more information. 

It is not always feasible to donate money and RUS NY more than happily accepts product donations that can be used for prizes or fundraising purposes. 

French-bred gelding wins fair finals

Horses and riders race into the first turn at Monticello Raceway during the RUS NY Fair Series Final. 

Girls unite to make bleak season prevail

Akhenaton, a French-bred 9-year-old gelding who has a history of racing internationally under saddle, went into this year’s fair final as the clear favorite and he did not disappoint. 

The horse went into the race with an unblemished six-for-six record and he and rider Vanessa Karlewicz went wire- to-wire for a 2:09.1 victory over 15-year-old Choke Hold and rider Michelle Miller. 

“I think today’s race was one of the best we’ve had all season thus far,” Karlewicz said after the race.  “We had a nice group of well-matched horses, and I think that created not only a good race for the fans, but for us riders as well.”

Karlewicz had only two prior starts on Akhenaton as she normally rides her own horse Flowing James. However, due to unfortunate circumstances he was sidelined mid-season and Karlewicz said she cannot thank fellow rider Hillary Hartnett enough for allowing her to continue competing throughout the season.

“This year, unfortunately, hasn’t been one of our strongest race seasons yet, being a few riders short and having a few of our RUS horses sidelined,” explained Karlewicz.  “Today’s final, however, highlighted just how much we all love the sport and how we are willing to work together to see it succeed. Even though we are all competitors, we are still willing to help each other out. The fact that the two leading riders, Hillary and Michelle, offered out their second horses to fellow riders to increase the field for the final is a true testament to their passion to see this sport continue to grow. It’s nice to have had this come full circle as I’ve offered my extra horse out in past seasons.”

Having won the fair final once before, Karlewicz said this one had just as much meaning. 

“I have to say it was just as thrilling today for the second time,” she said. “Today’s win had so much meaning to it, yet I can hardly take all the credit for it.”

“Even though Akhenaton was thought to be the race favorite, Hillary still offered me that horse from her string versus her other mount. Words can not describe how grateful I am to Hillary. This is such an amazing act of kindness and sportsmanship and I can not praise and thank her enough,” Karlewicz added. 

Having been given the ride on someone else’s horse is an honor, but also a bit of added pressure, according to Karlewicz. 

“I’m used to handling my own horses every day, which gives me more confidence in what to expect out on the track,” she said. “That being said, I have a very good rapport with the horse's main rider Hillary, and together we were able to discuss the appropriate ride that helped me pilot him to victory. He’s a really fun horse with a ton of heart and gives you a great feel out there. He has come a long way in the few months that Hillary has owned him, she’s doing a great job with him.”

Hartnett describes Akhenaton as a “powerhouse with a trot like she has never seen before.” She said he was imported from France in 2018 in hopes he could compete in an international race in Yonkers. She said she was able to acquire him after he had been bounced around a couple of trainers. 

“Taking him to a farm where he can relax and be a horse seemed to be the best thing for him,” Hartnett said. “His attitude has changed for the better since he landed with us. He is a horse that gives 110% every time he races rather it be in the sulky or in the saddle. I am very excited about his future with us.”

“In my eyes, today was certainly a shared victory for teams blue and lime and I dedicate it to my grammy, who sadly passed recently,” Karlewicz said. “She was a huge racing fan, and I know she would have been very proud.”

Both Hartnett’s mounts Akhenaton and RC’s Ready are trained by Wesley Miller of New Berlin, N.Y. Hartnett said she chose to ride her 4-year-old because he’s been learning and getting better each start. 

“Ready has been getting the hang of things this year under saddle,” Hartnett said. “I’ve put so much time and effort into training him in the saddle and the work has helped boost his confidence.” 

RC’s Ready placed third for Hartnett just edging out Miller’s second horse Railroad Lane who was ridden by Vermont rider Cathy Gearwar. Both put up a time of 2:10.3. 

Gearwar also expressed her gratitude for being able to get in some races throughout the season without having a horse of her own. 

“My horse was off for the summer healing from an injury, but I was still able to race at a couple of fairs and the final which is always a fun day,” she said.  “I give thanks to Michelle Miller and Lance Diehl who really shuffled with harness race plans with Lane to make RUS opportunities available to me.”

Miller said she chose to race her retired horse Choke Hold because she has a special place in her heart for continuing the careers of horses that must retire on the track. She said she puts a lot of work keeping him fit and conditioned as he cannot race in between RUS starts. 

“I own, train and ride him,” she said. “I can take full credit with this one. And even though he has been racing for years, there were some kinks that needed working out. Lane was my most challenging to train under saddle for sure as when I first got him he was a scaredy cat and very green. And  as far as work, I get help with him as he still races in harness and my brother trains him year round.”

Miller said she cannot thank Choke Hold’s prior owner enough for turning him over to her care. 

“Not only is he a war horse on the track he is so calm off of it,” she said. “The weekend before the race my 7-year-old niece was riding him alone in a ring at a fundraiser show we were hosting for RUS NY. I rode him as a lead horse on the trails. He is the true definition of an all around versatile horse and what we like to showcase to the public for safe landings for them after their careers are over. Standardbreds are overlooked and make great horses for all different kinds of disciplines.” 

Miller said she could not be happier with how Choke Hold battled in the final race. 

The non-wagering exhibition was held in conjunction with the New York Sire Stake’s County Fair Finals on Sept. 5 at Monticello Raceway. 

Horses are required to compete in at least three races throughout the series to be allowed entry into the championship race. The series included nine opportunities to race at fairs across the state and one event held at Goshen Historic Track. The series, in its sixth season, received a $7,500 grant for initial purse money provided by the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.

All participants of the fair final receive $600 for earning their way into the race. Host track Monticello Raceway and the track's horsemen's association generously put up the funds. The winner also received a championship cooler.

Races are organized by RUS New York, which was formed in 2014 to increase interest in Standardbred racing and showcase the versatility of the Standardbred breed. 

WHAT IS RACING UNDER SADDLE: 

Also known as Monte Racing, RUS, is a hybrid between harness and thoroughbred racing. The sport consists of a rider atop a Standardbred (trotters in the fair series) in a saddle instead of pulling a sulky.  RUS is an exciting part of international standardbred racing and is conducted daily at most European tracks as part of their regular pari-mutuel wagering programs. 

To keep up on RUS NY happenings follow the group at:

• Facebook.com/RUSNYSeries

• Twitter.com/RUS_NewYork

• http://rus-newyork.blogspot.com

• Rus-newyork.com

RUS Fair Series Final Set for Sept. 5

Melissa Simser-Iovino 

Hillary Hartnett makes a move with Akhenaton, left, in Cobleksill at The Schoharie County Sunshine Fair to pass Michelle Miller and Railroad Lane. Fifteen-year-old Choke Hold, ridden by Cathy Gearwar, gains ground from behind.

 

Kara Duh gets her first victory aboard Railroad Lane. 

Four horses qualify for event at Monticello Raceway

Four horses have earned their way into the RUS New York Fair Series Final that will be featured at Monticello Raceway Thursday, Sept. 5. 

The non-wagering exhibition will be held in conjunction with the New York Sire Stake’s County Fair Finals. Post time is set for 12:50 p.m. with no scheduled race number or time for RUS yet. 

Horses are required to compete in at least three races throughout the series to be allowed entry into the championship race. The series included nine opportunities to race at fairs across the state and one event held at Goshen Historic Track. 

All participants will receive $600 for earning their way into the final race. Host track Monticello Raceway and the track's horsemen's association are generously putting up the funds. The winner will also receive a championship cooler.

RUS NY was formed in 2014 to increase interest in Standardbred racing and showcase the versatility of the Standardbred breed. The series, in its sixth season, received a $7,500 grant for initial purse money provided by the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.

“The New York Sire Stakes program congratulates the riders and horses who competed under saddle on the county fair circuit this year and wish them all well in the final. We are pleased to share these accomplishments on the New York County Fair Finals program at Monticello,” said M. Kelly Young, Executive Director of the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund. 

Educating the public and cultivating racing fans is one of the primary goals of the county fair racing series in New York, according to Young. 

“We are proud to partner with Racing Under Saddle-NY to enhance county fair racing across the state and this year the riders provided even more demonstrations and information to racing fans about the versatility of the breed,” she said. 

Horses Eligible For The Final:

Akhenaton-  This French-bred 9-year-old gelding has a history of racing internationally under saddle. The son of Nice Love is trained by Wesley Miller and went undefeated going 6-for-6 on the fair circuit. He was ridden to all his victories but one by part-owner Hillary Hartnett and leads the point standings by 100 points. His total point earnings for the year was 300. He is a clear favorite to win the final. 

RC’s Ready- Also trained by Wesley Miller, RC has come on strong at the end of the season having picked up two wins giving him a self esteem boost going into the final. The 4-year-old RC Royalty gelding tallied up three wins and two seconds throughout the series earning 200 points. Seasoned rider Vanessa Karlewicz will be riding this horse for the first time in the championship. Karlewicz rode three horses during the series, but has yet to take on this mount. 

Railroad Lane- Has proven he can beat RC’S Ready as he had a strong come-from-behind-victory off a break in stride early on in a race at Hemlock. However, RC also maintained a wire-to-wire win over him in Palmyra. The 6-year-old gelding comes into the championship race with one victory, three second-place finishes and a third at Goshen Historic Track earning him a total of 137 points. The Chip Chip Hooray, trained by Michael Miller, has had three riders - Kara Duh, Cathy Gearwar and co-owner Michelle Miller. 

Choke Hold-  Had to be retired from harness racing in January when he turned 15-years-old and was acquired by owner and trainer Michelle Miller to continue a racing career under saddle since there is no age limit like in harness. The Conway Hall gelding raced at six fairs without getting to the winner’s circle but showed to be competitive when coming home strong against Akhenaton in Boonville and almost nipping RC’s Ready in Trumansburg after an early break in the race. While Choke Hold may seem like the underdog in the race having only earned 107 points do not count him out as he is less likely to break stride on a bigger track and is proving to get stronger as the season goes.

The series has always included a top rider award. However, this year a bigger than ever rider challenge was added to the event to try to promote larger fields and more participation (as riders do not get paid unless they own the horse). Thanks to the sponsorships of Oneida Veterinary Associates, PLLC, Tioga and Vernon Downs, $4,000 was up for grabs for riders that participated in at least five races leading to the final. Points were given to riders in the same format used for horses regardless of what horses were ridden in each race. 

Hillary Hartnett won the challenge by a landslide. Hartnett, who participated in every fair race earning 450 points, beat out Michelle Miller who placed second with 157 earned points. Six total riders participated in the series but few met the five-race requirement.

“The extra incentive did not work as well as planned as our participation was down this year,” RUS New York President Michelle Miller said. “A lot of our riders have gotten older, have families, jobs and other priorities so we thought boosting purses and adding funds for riders may help. Traveling becomes very costly and racing is also held during the week so that can be conflicting for a lot as well. Unfortunately, our expectations were not met, but it was not for lack of support or trying. We cannot thank the sponsors enough for providing this opportunity to our riders.” 

According to RUS NY Sponsorship Director Cathy Gearwar, racing under saddle could not survive without sponsorship support. She said the group does fundraisers, but that is not enough on its own. 

“We made sure to promote our sponsors in every way we could this year so they received the most bang for their buck,” Gearwar said. “Anyone who donates $200 or more gets promotional space in all the race programs. We offer cooler presentations so sponsors can become a part of the winning experience if they chose. Thanks to Prolifiq Sings we were able to get a  trifold sign to present at all of our events including our horse show fundraisers. We promote on our website. If sponsors cannot donate funds we also take product to use for prizes and raffles. There is no donation too small as we appreciate any support given.” 

This year’s sponsors included: NYSS and Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, Oneida Veterinary Associates, PLLC, Vernon Downs, Tioga Downs, Monticello Raceway, Saratoga Casino and Hotel, Triple Crown, Harness Racing Replays on Facebook, D’Agostino Group in Vernon N.Y., Pure Country Campground, The Equine Tax Group, Hoof Beats, Big Dee’s Tack and Vet Supply, Pacesetter Tack and Supply, Blue Seal, T&K Harrington LLC, Party Tent Rentals of Schoharie New York, Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association, Beckwith Racing, Knotty By Nature Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops, Russell Hoagland of Kevin’s Royal Automotive, Enge Training Stable, Mike Miller Racing, The Stables at MiraBella, Divine Equine Equipment for Champions, Iron Horse Graphics, Purina, Barb and Rick Bateman, Hoof Beats and New York Central Mutual Insurance. 

WHAT IS RACING UNDER SADDLE: 

Also known as Monte Racing, RUS, is a hybrid between harness and thoroughbred racing. The sport consists of a rider atop a Standardbred (trotters in the fair series) in a saddle instead of pulling a sulky.  RUS is an exciting part of international standardbred racing and is conducted daily at most European tracks as part of their regular pari-mutuel wagering programs. 

The Fair Series is organized by RUS NY, an organization that helps coordinate and promote under saddle races across the state. The main goals are to promote the unique sport,  educate about the versatility of the Standardbred breed as both a racing and riding horse and to help Standardbreds find great homes after they finish their days on the track.

To keep up on RUS NY happenings follow the group at:

• Facebook.com/RUSNYSeries
• Twitter.com/RUS_NewYork
• http://rus-newyork.blogspot.com
• Rus-newyork.com