Racing Officials Accreditation Program (4/16/09)
Contact: Cathy O’Meara (859) 224-2702
BOWKER RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF ROAP; 2010 STEWARDS’ POINTS OF EMPHASIS SET
Stan Bowker was re-elected to a two-year term as chairman of the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) during the organization’s spring board of directors meeting in Lexington, Ky., on April 14. Also during the meeting, which was held in conjunction with the Association of Racing Commissioners International’s 76th Annual Conference, the board approved points of emphasis that will serve as the focus of the curriculum at racing officials accreditation schools and stewards and judges continuing education classes in 2010.
The points of emphasis were developed by ROAP’s Stewards Advisory Committee, which consists of accredited stewards, and call for:
- Reviewing procedures with all officials at the start of each race meet
- Stressing routine procedures and mechanics with officials
- Promoting consistency through weekly review by racing officials and riders competing at the track of all racing incidents
- Encouraging maximum participation in ROAP video surveys
- Stressing proper use of the riding crop with jockeys and drivers
- Supervising the enforcement of rules
- Honoring and reciprocating on all lists, including stewards and vets lists
- Taking appropriate measures to resolve licensing issues
The points of emphasis will be forwarded to all racing commission executive directors for implementation by their stewards.
Bowker begins his third term as ROAP chairman. Meanwhile, Wendy Davis (University of Arizona) and Kristin Hix (The Jockey Club) were re-elected secretary and treasurer, respectively, and Terry Meyocks (Jockeys’ Guild) was elected to the newly created position of vice chairman.
Elected to the 2010 ROAP board of directors were Rogers Beasley (Keeneland), Duayne Didericksen (American Quarter Horse Association), Dan Fick (at-large), Chip Hastings (United States Trotting Association), Peggy Hendershot (National Thoroughbred Racing Association), Kristin Hix (The Jockey Club) and Tim Capps (University of Louisville Equine Industry Program).
Also during the meeting:
- The ROAP bylaws were amended to include five additional at-large members on the board of directors. Once appointed, the board will be composed of 27 members (18 organizations and 9 at-large).
- Frank Lamb, longtime executive director of the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission until his retirement last year, was appointed chairman of the Stewards Advisory Committee, succeeding Dr. Ted Hill, The Jockey Club steward at the New York Racing Association tracks.
- Education-related initiatives were approved, including the creation of a committee to enhance the stewards’ exam grading process; language permitting continuing education credits earned by stewards accredited across multiple racing disciplines to satisfy continuing education requirements for each discipline to maintain accreditation; and production of short video segments for educational purposes on the role and importance of ROAP accredited stewards.
ROAP, which receives primary funding from The Jockey Club and is based in its Kentucky office, is a 501(c) (6) organization whose board of directors is made up of representatives of 18 industry organizations. Stewards and judges receive their accreditation and continuing education credits through this program. Rich Wilcke at the University of Louisville and Wendy Davis at the University of Arizona direct the schools and training used in achieving accreditation.
The ROAP website, horseracingofficials.com, features information about the accreditation process, a comprehensive listing of accredited racing officials, and lists of job openings and upcoming events. Contact Cathy O’Meara at (859) 224-2702 or cmcneeley@jockeyclub.com for more information.
