It Is Never Too Late To Get In The Game

Cathy Gearwar won her first race on her very own Armbro Hall at Goshen Historical Track. 

It’s never too late to pursue your passion even if it means getting aboard a trotter that races full speed. At the age of 48, Cathy Gearwar is proof age is just a number when you have a goal and set your mind to it. 

Fitness is a requirement to race under saddle because the unique sport takes a lot of balance and stamina to stay on a trotter racing a full mile. However, there is no age limit and Gearwar is proving she is up for the task as she has thus far had a successful season. The Benson Vermont resident has been able to win a qualifier and her first race; both held at Goshen Historical Track. She is also competing in the RUS New York 2018 Fair Series where she took a second at Afton Fair. 

Her journey with horses all began 30 years ago when she was 18 when she had a job cleaning stalls at a combination standardbred and dairy farm in New Hampshire. She had ridden in several different disciplines growing up. Gearwar participated in events such as hunt seat, dressage, jumping and trail, but the farm was where she was first introduced to harness racing. It is also where she met her future husband, Pete.

Twenty some years later Gearwar saw her first racing under saddle race. 

“I thought, I could do that,” she said.  

However, the decision to pursue the sport did not come until the fall of 2016, after her children were grown and college loans were paid. 

That fall she took the written test and had an uncle offer his horse to test the on the following year. 

“Famous Oscar was 16 and really wasn’t sure he liked racing with a rider, but he was a trooper and we got the job done,” she said. “He wasn’t available to race under saddle after the testing was finished, so I didn’t ride a race horse again in 2017.”

During the winter of 2018 Gearwar said she started her journey into the sport by getting several sponsors for RUS NY.  Then she began her hunt for a horse. 

“I had a couple of people helping me search, and I finally found a 5-year-old gelding named Armbro Hall in the beginning of May. He hadn’t been ridden as far as we knew, but I had faith and took a chance that he would take to RUS,” she said. 

According to Gearwar, the goal was to find a horse, get it qualified and race it in the fair series. 

“We have a 3-year-old pacing filly we race in the Sire Stakes fair series, so it would be perfect to take the two, one for Pete to race and one for me,” she said. “Armbo exceeded my expectations by easily qualifying in RUS by himself and then going on to win our first qualifying matinee and then our first money race. We entered him once at Saratoga in harness during all this and he looks like he will do just fine switching back and forth between the two types of racing.”

The Gearwars almost passed up Armbro Hall. 

“We were told maybe his leg had some issues and therefore he may not be fit to ride,” Gearwar explained. 

The decision to purchase the horse was made after a respected trainer that had a little experience with the horse said, “Nonsense, there is nothing wrong with his legs.,” she added. 

Armbro’s leg was given some TLC it needed and according to Gearwar, they have not had any problems with it.

Training with  her husband, 
Pete, after purchasing Armbro Hall. 

“I thank God regularly for the horse he sent me and that I am fit and strong enough to take on such a physically demanding sport at my age,” said Gearwar. “Going behind the gate is exhilarating and racing is invigorating and exhausting at the same time.  I am only three races into my new hobby, but hope to get in at least a couple of years and, God willing, a few more after that.”

RUS New York a small organization trying to get a lot accomplished. The group needs every person who has passion for the sport to succeed to be involved for it to continue to grow. No matter how little one can contribute involvement is encouraged. Members do not have to live in New York and can be anybody who wants to see the sport flourish. Anybody interested in membership should email rusnewyorkseries@gmail.com.

For more information on racing under saddle and RUS New York visit,
rus-newyork.com. 

RUS NY To Kick Off Season At Goshen Historic Track

Qualifiers will be held on Sunday, June 3 and Sunday, June 10

Entry box will close at 11 AM on the Friday before each date. You can enter online via the USTA website or call the race office at 845-294-5333. Horses that plan on racing under saddle must have RUS electronic eligibilities activated prior to entering for any RUS event.

Races are being funded by RUS NY and will follow the organization’s rules and regulations. Riders must be a member of RUS NY. (Anyone can join for free by e-mailing rusnewyorkseries@gmail.com).

Rider requirements for both races: Riders must hold a current active RUS license with the USTA and have at least one charted line behind the gate in 2018. Riders will need to sign a waiver and are subject to a breathalyzer. Riders must participate in at least 2 fundraisers with a minimum of $200 raised or get $500 in sponsors to participate in any RUS NY event.

Horse requirement for both races: Horses must be 3 years old or older to participate (can be older than 14).  Horses must show a clean charted RUS line in a time of 2:16 this year. The horse does not need to go with another horse. If there are more than 8 entries those showing to be most competitive will be used. 

Conditions: 5,000 P/Cs last three starts in 2018 at any parimutuel track. Horses with no harness starts will be eligible based on RUS qualifying times (must go 2:16 but no faster than 2:02 on any size track).

Father’s Day Matinee Race: Sunday, June 17 

All participants will get $200 as long as they finish the race and all paperwork (W-9, Purse authorization is sent to RUS NY at 725 County Highway 45 Milford NY 13807 no later than Friday, June 22.) *** this race can be used as the second ride needed for riders with less than 2 years experience, per RUS NY Rules and Regulations for future events. 

Entries- will be taken by RUS NY not Goshen Track so DO NOT ENTER ONLINE or CALL THE RACE OFFICE. Entries will be taken on Thursday, June 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. Call (607) 316-8268. Entries can be placed via text, but if a confirmation is not sent back be sure to call. 

Grand Circuit RUS Race: Sunday, July 1

This race will go for an estimated purse of $2,000 to be paid out:

5 or more starters 50, 25, 12, 8, 5 percent

4 starters 50, 25, 15, 10 percent

3 starters 50, 30, 20 percent

All W-9s and purse authorizations must be sent to RUS NY at 725 County Highway 45 Milford NY 13807 no later than Monday, July 9. All RUS NY rules and regulations will be used- see rus-newyork.com for more details.Trainers and owners of horses that participate in the June 17 Matinee will get first preference into the Grand Circuit race if there are more horses entered than can fit behind the gate. Riders who participate in the Matinees or June Race will also get preference if not on the same mount. 

Entries- Will be taken by RUS NY not Goshen Track so DO NOT ENTER ONLINE or CALL THE RACE OFFICE. Entries will be taken on Wednesday, June 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Call (607) 316-8268. Entries can be placed via text, but if a confirmation is not sent back be sure to call. 

NO HORSE will be allowed to race, or be permitted to enter the grounds of Goshen Historic Track, without the following:

1. PROOF OF NEGATIVE COGGINS (EIA) TEST, within twelve (12) months of race date.

2. PROOF OF RABIES VACCINATION, within twelve (12) months of race date and not less than 14 days prior to race date.

NON-NEW YORK STATE HORSES: ALL HORSES ENTERING NEW YORK STATE MUST HAVE ALL OF THE ABOVE AND A CERTIFICATE OF VETERINARY INSPECTION (INTERSTATE HEALTH CHART) ISSUED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ARRIVAL ON THE GROUNDS OF GOSHEN HISTORIC TRACK.

RUS NY Fair Series To Mark Fifth Season

The excitement of racing under saddle at New York State county fairs will continue this summer. 

RUS New York, an organization that helps promote the sport and the versatility of Standardbreds, is excited to announce its fifth fair series. Races will begin on Thursday, July 5 at Afton Fair and conclude with the final at Monticello Raceway Thursday, Sept. 6.

The series will include nine race legs and a championship final race, with points earned along the way to determine final entries.  Monticello Raceway has generously offered to provide $2,500 for the final. A High Point Rider Award will once again be presented at the final to the rider who has earned the most points, regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series. Race conditions can be found on the RUS NY website, rus-newyork.com. Please note some rules and regulations to participate in RUS NY events have been changed so be sure to check that page out on the group’s website. 

Official dates and locations for the series are as follows:

• Thursday, July  5 ------ Afton Fair 
• Tuesday, July 17------ “Little World’s Fair" in Hemlock
• Tuesday, July 24-------Oneida County in Boonville
• Tuesday, July 31------- Otsego County Fair in Morris
• Monday, Aug. 6 ------ Tioga County in Owego
• Wednesday, Aug. 8 ----- Oswego County in Sandy Creek 
• Monday, Aug. 13 ---- Wayne County in Palmyra
• Tuesday, Aug. 14 ---- Steuben County in Bath
• Tuesday, Aug. 21 ----- Tompkins County in Trumansburg
• Thursday, Sept. 6—— Fair Final at Monticello Raceway

RUS is yet to be self sufficient in the United States particularly because of legislation that prohibits wagering. Hopefully one day that will change. But until then, finding sponsors and ways to fundraise has been the biggest challenge moving forward.

The series’ flagship sponsor, The New York Sire Stakes, has generously donated $5,000 as initial purse money. The goal is to have a purse of $750 or more per fair.  Members of RUS New York are working hard and have held several fundraisers with more planned for the future. RUS New York is currently looking for sponsors and 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. A PayPal account has also been set up where people can make secure donations.

What you get for your buck:

• For as little as $100 you will be provided advertisement on our website. 
• For just $200 or more you will get mention in all promotions such as race programs. 
• For $500 or more you will be provided everything above as well as a feature spot on our homepage.(we will link our website promotions to your website or Facebook page if provided)

Become a part of the winning experience and sponsor a race by having your logo or business name printed on a cooler. Sponsors will have the opportunity to present the cooler or the group can have someone do it on the sponsor’s behalf. Our organization must have a completed  sponsorship form three weeks before the date of the race. See our race schedule for race dates to inquire about possible race sponsorships. 

To learn more, visit http://www.rus-newyork.com/become-a-sponsor.html.  RUS NY will be coordinating races with parimutuel tracks soon.

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 (generally a trotter) 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
• Twitter.com/RUS_NewYork
• http://rus-newyork.blogspot.com
• Rus-newyork.com

Meeting Set

RUS NY will be hosting a meeting on March 28th, 2018 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be hosted at member Heather Reese's house at 5913 Ennis Road, Durhamville, NY 13054.  

We would like to see as many people attend either in person or via Google Hangouts. Topics of discussion include: Tentative race dates, sponsorship's/fundraising, participation, and rules/regulations. This is an important meeting as the season is quickly approaching! Please contact RUS NY by email or a member if you would like to join via Google Hangouts to receive the link to participate. 

We hope you can join us as we anticipate the upcoming new season! 

Ashley Eldred

RUS NY President 

Officers Named To RUS NY Management Committee

Officers and directors have been selected to 2018 RUS New York Management Committee.

Ashley Eldred, who ran unopposed, will serve as the group’s president and be the lead contact for membership. Eldred has served as secretary and has been participating in racing under saddle for six years. Her goals include, but are not limited to, creating more competitive/conditioned races, more participation from riders/owners/trainers and more qualified horses and to reevaluate the terms necessary to gain wagering.

Hillary Hartnett has accepted vice president responsibilities. She will also be the lead contact for sponsorships. Hartnett has two years of RUS under her belt including capturing the RUS NY Fair Final Championship last season. The Morrisville Equine Breeding Management alumni does not come from a harness racing background but does love working with horses. Hartnett works at Leatherstocking Equine Center in New Berlin as a breeding manager.

Michelle Miller, who served as president of RUS NY since establishing the group into a more formal non-profit in 2015, will be the group’s acting treasurer and marketing director. Hannah Miller will fill the secretary seat, a roll she has served in the past.

Those accepting director rolls on the committee include: Sophie Engerran, Kara Duh, Jocelyn Gale, Heather Reese, Sasha Moczulski, Michelle Crawford Cathy Gearwar and Victoria Labelle.

Directors commit to taking on at least one lead responsibility for the group and attending meetings either physically or via internet.

Duties of the those on the Management Committee shall be to:

• Provides leadership and strategic direction for the organization

• Ensures that an organization remains accountable to its donors and to the general public.

• Evaluate financial policies, approve annual budgets and review periodic financial reports to ensure that the organization has the necessary resources to carry out its mission.

• To act as lesions to our members and represent their best interest when voting.

• Directors are expected to actively participate in organizational planning and decision-making and to make sound and informed judgments. When acting on behalf of the organization, directors must put the interests of the Group before any personal or professional concerns and avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Membership of RUS NY is open to any individual who supports the sport of Racing Under Saddle and is interested in helping the group to achieve its aim and willing to abide by the rules of the Group. Members do not need to be from New York but are encouraged to attend meetings, help fundraise and participate in discussions. Membership does not give the power to vote. The only time members get to vote is during the the Group’s Annual General Meeting to elect a Management Committee.

Benefits of membership:

• Networking opportunities and more racing opportunities

• Staying connected with what is going on - getting e-mails and updates (Members are responsible for keeping contact info up to date)

• Members can sit on committees and help with proposals that will go in front of the Management Committee

Anybody interested in membership should email rusnewyorkseries@gmail.com.

The organization’s Management Committee must consist of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and at least three directors. The positions are voted on annually generally at an annual meeting.

RUS NY’s aim is to help organize and promote under saddle races for Standardbreds across the state. The main goal is to promote racing under saddle and the versatility of the Standardbred breed as both a racing and a riding horse - to help Standardbreds find great homes after they finish their days on the track.

To learn more, visit rus-newyork.com.

Annual Meeting Set

The RUS NY annual organizational meeting has been set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at Jocelyn Gale’s house at 6157 Cooper Street, Vernon, NY 13476. If anyone cannot make the meeting, we encourage you to join via Google Hangouts. If you have not used this before, email Michelle Miller at mnmiller84@gmail.com for a link to join.

This meeting is very important for the future of RUS NY. As we reflect on this year, we will also be nominating people to serve on the group’s Management Committee.  If you would like to be a part of this committee, please make sure you attend the meeting in person or online. If you cannot attend for any reason, please contact a committee member with which position you or someone you’re nominating would like to be nominated for to be included in the ballot.

In the previous years, RUS NY has taken nominations for positions, and used a generated system online to create an anonymous ballot to elect officials. We will be using the same technique this year.  We are asking ALL MEMBERS to consider at least one skill they possess that can help RUS NY rather on the committee or not. We need as much support as we can get. The group must have at least seven people on the committee to keep RUS NY alive and running. Even if you do not want to be a  part of the committee and can still think of ways that you can contribute, please let us know and/or join the meeting.

Also, if you or someone you know is interested in contributing and/or riding, this is the perfect meeting to join in on, as we will be discussing the future of RUS NY as well. The sooner you get involved the better! Committee positions include: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer  and Directors. Things we need help with include but are not limited to promotions, fundraising, sponsorships, marketing/press, race coordination, networking, video and photos, education and outreach and help promoting the versatility of the standardbred breed.

RUS NY Seeks Involvement Going Forward

Racing Seems Far Away, But Planning Must Start NOW!!!

We have included the letter we sent out to all our members hoping to increase involvement. However, we need to reach non-members as well to increase membership and participation. Remember one does not need to ride to be a member. One also does not need to be from NY. If you have an interest in helping make the sport succeed and think you have something to offer please let us know. We can be reached via email at rusnewyorkseries@gmail.com. If you would like to learn more about membership and racing under saddle in New York and our group please visit http://rus-newyork.com. 

LETTER: 

The time has come for our group to reconnect and scrutinize this year's race season. As many know, our membership and participation levels we lower than any other year. RUS NY is a self-sustaining group, and without everyone’s involvement, the group cannot sustain on its own. We understand members are busy, and so we are reaching out to all of you to see who has interest in being a part of the team for the upcoming 2018 season.

As many know, our President, Michelle Miller, does not plan to run for reelection of the lead role of the group next year.  However, she will continue to be an active member. Therefore, we are also looking for individuals interested in being nominated for the available position as well as any other members interested in any other committee positions. We cannot nominate you or elect you unless we know you are interested.  We will have a year end meeting in December to vote on our Management Committee for the 2018 race season, and we encourage you to join us (date to be determined). Some things we look for in nominees are leadership, collaboration, self-motivation and creativity. We want to hear what you can bring to the table to help make our 2018 race season successful. If you do not want to run for a committee position but still want to help, we would like to hear from you too!

We would also like to hear from our riders and trainers. What were the greatest achievements this year? What can we change? Any rule changes and/or proposals? Who plans on racing next year? How can we make racing better? While we all know we can only keep asking for sponsors and donations for so long, we need to really work together if we want to survive, and eventually become a wagered event.

There was a drastic reduction in fair series participants this year. The proposal in which grants RUS NY the funds to accommodate those races, needs to be sent in by November. We know the fair series is a long ways away; however, if you know that you plan to participate and would like to see the fair series again next year, please let us know as soon as possible as we need to justify participation.

While there is a lot of business to discuss, we would like you to join in our meeting Monday, October 23rd, 2017. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. online on Google Hangout and can be joined at this link: https://hangouts.google.com/group/zlyvRUT9Z8CyCyE43. If you need to run a test to make sure it works please contact Michelle Miller at mnmiller84@gmail.com. If you cannot get online please let Michelle know where you are from and she will see if any other members are nearby you can get together with. Michelle will be connecting with everyone at her parent’s house to ensure good internet service. Anyone interested is invited to join her there. Please message her for an address.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that people plan to join us for the Oct. meeting as we need to know who plans to be involved in order to know how to move forward with the future of this group.

We do not want to perceive the entire season negatively as we were asked to go to more fairs, come back to tracks we raced at and even host more races at some of those tracks. However, we cannot commit to doing so unless we know we can put up the riders and horses.

Key Dates to keep in mind:

Nov. 19-USTA  District meeting in Saratoga and NYSS awards ceremony. The President of the new company that took over NYSS business said he would be in contact with Michelle soon about the awards ceremony. Please try to attend the district meeting to support RUS. Although we do not believe there are any new RUS proposals on the table this year the ones from last year still are up in the air as a Special RUS Committee was formed.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Ashley Eldred

RUS NY Secretary