Johnston will also closely support the new jockey mental wellness initiative HISA announced this week in partnership with the Jockeys' Guild and will work alongside Dr. Peter Hester, HISA's National Medical Director, to enhance rider access to mental health support and resources.

Johnston will report to HISA's Director of Racetrack Safety Ann McGovern.

“We are pleased to have Jeff join us to lead our efforts to work collaboratively with jockeys and riders to ensure their health, safety and overall well-being through our Racetrack Safety Program,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “Jeff's many years of experience with the Jockeys' Guild and his perspective as a jockey himself will be invaluable to HISA as we continue to increase communications and collaboration with racing participants across the country.”

Johnston began racing as a jockey in 1985, competing in more than 11,000 Thoroughbred races and amassing 1,375 victories before transitioning to a career with the Jockeys' Guild in 2006, where he most recently served as Regional Manager.

“As a longtime advocate for rider safety, I am eager to get to work advancing HISA's goal of improving safety for riders nationwide,” said Johnston. “I look forward to using my experience to help ensure that riders are safe on and off the track, that they are familiar with HISA's rules and how these changes affect them, and that they are outfitted with the best safety equipment possible.”

Accredited as a steward by the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP), Johnston also previously served as Chairman of the Jockey Club's Rider and Driver Safety Committee. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program.

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In addition, in association with Chippewa Downs, ROAP will also hold a certificate course at the Sky Dancer Resort and Casino in North Dakota May 13-14. This course, which is open to the public and has no charge, consists of general racing industry education geared toward those interesting in becoming racing officials. There will be job-specific modules for the racing official positions of clerk of scales, horse identifier, paddock judge, placing judge, outrider, and starter/assistant starter.

For registration for both the accreditation school and the certificate course or for more information, contact Wendy Culberson at contactus@horseracingofficials.com or 859-224-2702. ROAP's website is horseracingofficials.com.

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Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, The Jockey Club Steward for NYRA, was elected ROAP chairperson; Frank Lamb, a ROAP-accredited steward was elected ROAP vice chairperson; Wendy Davis, former director at the University of Arizona RTIP was re elected ROAP secretary; and Kristin Werner, senior counsel at The Jockey Club, was re elected ROAP treasurer.

Dr. Durenberger stated: “I am thrilled to take the reins of this organization at this critical time in our industry's history. The implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act will bring challenges and opportunities to our membership and we remain committed to upholding the integrity of horse racing at all levels and for all breeds.”

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The mission of ROAP is to accredit and provide continuing education to all racing officials, stewards and judges in the horse racing industry. By doing so ROAP is enhancing the image and upholding the integrity of horse racing at all levels.

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 from 15 industry organizations and 10 at-large representatives. The website address for ROAP is www.horseracingofficials.com.

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“I am thrilled to take the reins of this organization at this critical time in our industry's history,” said Dr. Durenberger. “The implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act will bring challenges and opportunities to our membership and we remain committed to upholding the integrity of horse racing at all levels and for all breeds.”

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Named in honor of the long-time outstanding steward and noted journalist Pete Pedersen, the Pedersen Award presentation will be held in conjunction with the annual University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's Global Symposium on Racing in December in Tucson, Ariz.

Pedersen worked as a steward in California for 50 years before retiring at the age of 85 in 2005. The Seattle native became the second steward to receive the Eclipse Award of Merit in 2002 and he was given the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award in 2008 for serving the racing industry with integrity, dedication, determination and distinction. Pedersen worked at nearly every track on the West Coast, and his reputation of objectivity and kindness is widely known in the racing industry and beyond.

The criteria to be used in determining award recipients includes length of service as a steward, special contributions as a steward, participation in industry integrity initiatives, participation in racing public educational programs, mentoring stewards and racing officials, and participation in educational programs for stewards and racing officials.

The goal is to recognize stewards who have been outstanding in fulfilling their responsibilities in regulating racing but who also are giving back to the industry.

Anyone can nominate current or retired stewards for the award. A special selection committee of five members from ROAP affiliate organizations will determine the recipients.

Nominations are due October 15, 2021. Those wishing to make nominations for the award can do so online by going to horseracingofficials.com and clicking on the green Pete Pedersen Award Nomination Form or by contacting Alyssa Carwile, ROAP coordinator, at contactus@horseracingofficials.com.

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Integrity Act 2020. CE courses are designed to bring officials together to discuss both the cutting-edge industry issues as well as those faced on a daily basis.

All accredited racing stewards, judges and officials are required to attend 16 hours of continuing education programming every two years to maintain their good standing. To become accredited, one must attend the initial 60-hour educational seminar, pass a suite of exams, and possess the required racing industry experience.

The 60-hour accreditation seminar that was postponed during the summer of 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions, has been rescheduled for the summer of 2021 and will be hosted by the University of Louisville. Exact dates and methods of delivery will be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit www.horseracingofficials.com.

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Racing stewards, judges and officials from 17 states, Abu Dhabi, Canada, and Trinidad/Tobago attended the event that covered topics ranging from media and crisis communication training to racehorse aftercare awareness to the Horse Racing Integrity & Safety Act of 2020. CE courses are designed to bring officials together to discuss both the cutting edge industry issues as well as those that face them on a daily basis.

All accredited racing stewards, judges and officials are required to attend 16 hours of continuing education programming every two years to maintain their good standing.

To become accredited, one must attend the initial 60-hour educational seminar, pass a suite of exams, and possess the required racing industry experience.

The 60-hour accreditation seminar that was postponed during the summer of 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions, has been rescheduled for the summer of 2021 and will be hosted by the University of Louisville. Exact dates and methods of delivery will be announced as they become available.

The post Racing Officials Accreditation Program Successfully Hosts First Online Continuing Education Course appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Alex Waldrop – CEO and President of the NTRA

Dr. Sarah Memmi – University of Louisville

Peter J Sacopulos – Sacopulos, Johnson, & Sacopulos

Dr. Will Farmer – Churchill Downs Equine Medical Director

Barbara Borden – Chief State Steward, Kentucky Racing Commission

Hugh Gallaher – Safety Steward, NYRA

Michele Kopiec – United States Trotting Association

TC Lane – United States Trotting Association

Jenn Daniels – Standardbred Transition Alliance

Tom Sage – Executive Director, Nebraska Racing Commission

Registration is now open at the UofL Equine Payment Portal, https://louisville.edu/business/payments/equine. The cost is $80 prior to December 8, 2020 and increases to $110 afterwards. Registration closes Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. A link for the event will be sent to all registered participants.

Participants will need to have access to a computer with Windows 10, reliable high-speed internet, a webcam, and a microphone. Please avoid Chromebooks/Chrome OS, iPads. Google Chrome is the browser of choice; the second choice is Firefox. There will be a call-in number as well if sound or microphones are an issue.

Please contact Alyssa Carwile at contactus@horseracingofficials.com or (859) 224-2702 for more details.

The mission of ROAP is to accredit and provide continuing education to all racing officials, stewards and judges in the horse racing industry. By doing so ROAP is enhancing the image and upholding the integrity of horse racing at all levels.

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 from 17 industry organizations and 10 at-large representatives. Stewards and judges receive their accreditation and continuing education credits through this program. The website address for ROAP is horseracingofficials.com.

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