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 third fair series. Races will begin on July 5 with the H.S.
Mead Memorial at Tioga County Fair in Owego and conclude with the final to be
held at Batavia Downs on September 7.
The series will include nine
race legs and a championship final race, with points earned along the way to
determine final entries. Horses need at least two starts to be eligible 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. Complete rules and regulations will be posted on the RUS
NY webpage, http://rus-newyork.com.
Official
dates and locations for the series are as follows:
▪ Tuesday, July 5 -
Tioga County in Owego
▪ Friday, July 8 - Afton Fair
▪ Tuesday, July 19 - “Little World’s Fair” in Hemlock
▪ Tuesday, July 26 - Oneida County in Boonville
▪ Tuesday, Aug. 2 - Otsego County in Morris
▪ Tuesday, Aug. 9 - Oswego County in Sandy Creek
▪ Monday, Aug. 15 - Wayne County in Palmyra
▪ Tuesday, Aug. 16 - Steuben County in Bath
▪ Tuesday, Aug. 23 - Tompkins County in Trumansburg
▪ Friday, July 8 - Afton Fair
▪ Tuesday, July 19 - “Little World’s Fair” in Hemlock
▪ Tuesday, July 26 - Oneida County in Boonville
▪ Tuesday, Aug. 2 - Otsego County in Morris
▪ Tuesday, Aug. 9 - Oswego County in Sandy Creek
▪ Monday, Aug. 15 - Wayne County in Palmyra
▪ Tuesday, Aug. 16 - Steuben County in Bath
▪ Tuesday, Aug. 23 - Tompkins County in Trumansburg
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 going forward.
The series’ flagship sponsor,
The New York
Sire Stakes, has generously donated $5,000 as initial purse money.
This year, 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.
This year, RUS NY sponsors
will get more recognition than ever before. Instead of separating sponsors by
each race or series, maximum exposure will be provided by including all
sponsors in all forms of promotion that the group does throughout the season.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit http://rus-newyork.com/sponsoshipinfo/sponsorship-info/.
Last season the fair series
also featured nine legs and a championship final race held at Monticello
Raceway. Eleven horses participated in the series with seven qualifying to race
in the final. The final included a field of six horses.
The RUS NY Committee would
like to get more trainers, owners and riders involved this year. Now is the
time to get involved if interested. It is recommended to become a member of the
RUS NY group to participate. There is no fee to be a member. For more
information, contact RUS NY President Michelle Miller at mnmiller84@gmail.com.
RUS NY is also in the process
of working with some pari-mutual tracks on hosting races/series. Dates will be
announced as they are available.
To keep up on RUS NY
happenings follow the group on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.
