Membership Home
>YOUTH
Welcome to the USTA's Youth Corner!
Just about anyone with the desire to can work with Standardbred harness horses. Many of those involved in the industry have worked in the barns since they could walk - brushing horses, rolling bandages and sweeping the aisles. But even if you
weren't raised in the industry, you can find a local farm or fairgrounds that is probably looking for volunteers to muck out stalls and give baths!
If you're wondering how to become involved in harness racing but don't quite know where to begin, the Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a great resource. They host the Harness Racing Youth League, run a scholarship program and have a comprehensive
listing of equine colleges and career options. Visit
www.hhyf.org
for more information, or call Ellen Taylor at (317)908-0029.
Youth Membership / Licenses
-
Did you know the USTA offers
free
USTA memberships to those under 18 years old? Just fill out one of the membership forms below and you are eligible for discounts and services just like any USTA active member.
Click
here
for a NEW Youth Membership Application
Click
here
for a RENEWAL Youth Membership Application
At 14 years old you can get your matinee driving license through the USTA. This allows you to drive harness horses in matinee races, which are usually held at a county fairgrounds, do not have purses and results are not reported to the USTA. You will
need to submit references from within the sport to get your Matinee license.
At 16 years old you can apply to get your qualifying-fair (QF) license. You will have to submit references from within the sport and pass both a written and practical exam. While you cannot race at a pari-mutuel track for money, this does allow you
to get the experience you need to get your provisional (P) license, to drive in a purse race, once you turn 18.
Youth Publications
Youth Activities
-
Spring:
The USTA puts on the Standardbred Driving School each spring for anyone at least 16 years of age at the time of the school. For more information, visit
www.USTADrivingSchool.com.
-
Summer:
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation hosts daily seminars and multi-day camps to help pre-teens and teens become more familiar with harness racing. Racetracks, training centers and farms across the country are involved each year. Visit
www.hhyf.org
for a schedule of camps.
-
Fall:
Check out the harness racing booth at the FFA Convention each fall.
USTA Youth Leadership Subcommittee
USTA Youth Leadership Subcommittee Application
Youth delegates selected to serve on the USTA Youth Leadership Subcommittee will be involved in projects with USTA staff and directors to improve the youth experience in harness racing and promote harness racing to a younger audience. Delegates
will benefit from possible academic credit, opportunities for published work and leadership training.
Applicants must be between the ages of 16-20 and must be or become a USTA member or USTA youth member. One delegate will be selected for each USTA district. Districts are listed at
https://www.ustrotting.com/directors.cfm. The term of service for those selected will be 2 years. Applications are due May 01, 2018.
Youth Frequently Asked Questions:
-
What can I do with a USTA Youth Membership?
You can do just about anything an adult active USTA member can, such as own, breed, register and change names of horses; all these member services have fees associated with them.
-
What do I get with a USTA Youth Membership?
You will receive your own membership card with a USTA number unique to you. Each quarter (every three months) you will receive
Youth Beats. Visit
Youth Beats
online at
www.hoofbeatsmagazine.com/youthbeats. You also receive member pricing on
Hoof Beats
and Pathway reports (http://pathway.ustrotting.com)
-
What is a Matinee Driver's License?
This license is valid for a matinee race meet only. A matinee, as defined in the USTA Rule Book, is "a race where an entrance fee may be charged and where the premiums, if any, are other than money. Performance in a matinee race shall not be
considered an official start." A matinee driver's license is $17.50 per year.
-
How do I get a Matinee Driver's License?
Your first step is to submit
this application form. Along with the form, you must submit an eye examination and at least four satisfactory references.
-
What is a Qualifying/Fair Driver's License?
This license is valid for matinees, fairs and qualifying races. A QF driver's license is $50.00 per year.
-
How do I get a Qualifying/Fair Driver's License?
Your first step is to submit
this application form. . Along with the form, you must submit an eye examination and submit the names of at least four satisfactory references who are Full licensed (A) drivers. You must then pass a written and practical test.
-
How do I study for the written and practical test?
We strongly encourage you to go over the
USTA Rule Book
(available
online
and in hard copy format). There are two books that can help you learn more about the Standardbred and harness racing:
The USTA Driver & Trainer Test Study Guide
that is available for $20 and "The New Care & Training of the Trotter & Pacer" which is available for $35. Both are available by calling the USTA or by shopping our
online store.