Petition 12-2027 (Adding Outrider as an Official)

Describe the Issue

Adding Outrider and removing Patrol Judge

What specific problems or concerns are involved in this issue?

The outriders are in charge of the horses and riders safety on the track and should be made officials. Also making the Standardbred person a Parade Marshall because the Starter shall have control over the horses and authority to assess fines and/ or suspend drivers for any violation of the rules from the formation of the parade until the word “go” is given.

Who does the issue affect?

Outriders

What existing HRA rules relate to this issue?

16g (j) ,27g(a)(b), 110 g (3) and 33g (i) 110g (3)

What solution does this proposal provide?

Makes the outrider an official and we don’t have patrol judges anymore and making the Standardbred person a Parade Marshall as they are called in other jurisdictions.

How will the solution fix the problem?

By changing the Patrol Judge to Outrider and listing their duties and adding Parade Marshall to racing participants. It will give a clear understanding of the outriders duties and having a little more say and respect on the track.

How will the change affect any entities or stakeholders?

This won’t change anything other than adding them. The outrider is an official in many other jurisdictions in thoroughbred racing. Parade Marshal is used in many standardbred tracks

What are the benefits of the proposed change?

Gives the outrider a clear definition of the job and their authority

What are the possible drawbacks of the proposed change?

None

For those stakeholder groups that have expressed an opinion, please list the points on which they agree or disagree, and the arguments they have expressed.

I have had three stakeholders contact me and they all agree with no comments on this petition.

Are there any affected stakeholder groups that have not been consulted on this proposal?

Please attach any formal letters of support or opposition by stakeholder groups. Files must be .pdf, .doc, .docx, rtf or .txt format and under 1024k for the system to accept the submission. You can add a maximum of 3 attachments.

Comments on petitions 2026.pdf

Please show new language in a new paragraph below the current wording. If you are proposing that current rule language be eliminated, please indicate the text to be deleted with [DELETE: copy to be deleted in square brackets]

Delete: (2) (j) Patrol judge

Delete: 27 g (a) (b) Patrol judge responsibilities

Patrol judges are responsible for (a) Observing the horse races from positions allotted by the judges/stewards board, and (b) Reporting to the judges/stewards board during or immediately following the race any violation of these or any other rules.

Delete 33 g (1) (i) Outrider

Add: 16g (2) (j) Outrider Add: 27 t Outrider responsibilities An association shall appoint at least one official outrider approved by the Board of Stewards/Judges to be responsible for the following:

(1) To protect the safety and integrity of the industry. Outriders are specialized, mounted racing officials responsible for assisting and ensuring the safety of horses, jockeys and participants on a racetrack during training and live racing.

(a) Monitor the racing surface during training hours and live racing to support compliance with rules, safety regulations, and orderly conduct.

(b) Promptly secure loose, runaway, or injured horses in a safe and controlled manner.

(c) Assist in guiding horses between designated areas, including paddock, racing surface, and post parades, in an orderly and timely fashion.

(d) Assist jockeys/exercise riders and other participants with safety concerns, including managing fractious horses and supporting safe return procedures.

(e) Assist and ensure jockeys/exercise riders and other racing participants wear proper safety gear (helmet/safety vest).

(f) Maintain effective radio communication with Stewards/Judges/Medics and track officials to report track conditions, incidents, safety concerns, objections or rule related observations.

Add: 110 g Services at race meetings

(2) To protect the safety and integrity of the industry, all racetracks in Alberta must provide outrider/parade marshal approved by the Board of Stewards/Judges.

Add: 33g Designation of racing participants

(i) Parade marshall