More than 50 National Steeplechase Association stewards and racing officials filled a meeting room at the National Sporting Library and Museum on Thursday, Jan. 22, for the NSA’s annual pre-season training session. The day-long seminar is required for stewards who will be serving at race meets during the year and provides Racing Officials Accreditation Program continuing-education credits.
The information-packed session was held in conjunction with the annual joint meeting of the NSA Board of Directors and the NSA’s race directors the following day at the library and museum in Middleburg, Va.
“We are very gratified by the large turnout and the lively conversations that resulted from the presentations,” said Dwight Hall, chairman of the NSA’s Stewards Advisory Committee. “As we look forward to the start of the 2015 season in only a few weeks, it is vitally important that our stewards have all the latest information on developments affecting race officials.”
The training was conducted by NSA Director of Racing Bill Gallo Jr., a ROAP-accredited steward who serves as the stewards’ secretary at many race meets and provides guidance on NSA rules and their application.
Among those making presentations was Duncan Patterson, chairman of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, who updated the stewards on developments in medication testing. Others making presentations were Rick Abbott; chairman of the NSA’s Hearing, Review and Appeals Committee; Dr. Reynolds Cowles, chairman of the Steeplechase Safety Task Force; Bernie Hettel, executive director of the Virginia Racing Commission; Alan Foreman, NSA counsel; Melanie Maloney, special adviser to the Stewards Advisory Committee; and Hugh Gallagher, New York Racing Association safety steward and ROAP chairman.