USTA Off -Track Series
The USTA Roadster Off-Track Series was created to encourage the Roadster discipline as a viable second career opportunity for Standardbreds bred for racing purposes. To compete in the Roadster divisions, horses must be a Standardbred “or Standardbred type.” There are many Standardbreds, and other breeds, who are now being bred for the Roadster show industry, but this series in particular is to promote the use of Standardbred racehorses, who are now off-the-track, as Roadster show horses.
For a nomination fee, horses can compete in the series, which includes qualifying events throughout the spring and summer that lead to a final in October.
​
Prize money has been secured and will be paid out from Trotter-Standardbred Roadster Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization based in South Carolina. The top five placings in the finals will be paid out as follows:
1st place – $2,500
2nd – $1,000
3rd – $750
4th – $500
5th – 250
The winner of the finals will also receive a Bowman BioThane Fine Show Harness and all other finalists will receive a leather halter, presented by the USTA.
Standardbreds registered with either the USTA or Standardbred Canada are eligible for nomination to the series as long as they had electronic eligibilities ordered before January 1, 2025 OR went through a commercial yearling sale (see list below). Nomination forms are due to the USTA at least two weeks prior to the first show in the series the horse will compete at; nomination forms are available here < https://lifeafterracing.ustrotting.com/assets/pdf/USTARoadsterSeriesNominationForm.pdf>.
New for 2025, shows not already committed to hosting a USTA Roadster Off-Track Series class can be nominated to host a series class. The class addition request form is available here <attached PDF: will be here https://lifeafterracing.ustrotting.com/assets/pdf/USTARoadsterSeriesClassAdditionRequest.pdf>.
Commercial Yearling Sale list:
Blooded Horse Sale (August or November yearling sale)
Buckeye Classic
Hoosier Classic
Forest City
Goshen Yearling Sale
Heartland Standardbred Sale
Illini Classic
Land of Lincoln
Lexington Selected
London Classic
Michiana Classic/Midwest Classic Mixed
Morrisville
Ohio Selected
Ontario Select
The Black Book (Harrisburg)
Winner’s Circle Speed Sale
More information about Standardbred Roadster classes sponsored by the USTA is available here.
Since 1996, the Standardbred Equine Program has worked with owners of off-the-track Standardbreds to educate the general public about the many disciplines Standardbreds excel at once they are retired from racing. For more information about the SEP at the USTA, visit LifeAfterRacing.ustrotting.com.
Series Schedule
Shows that have committed, or been submitted for consideration, to host a series class are:
Asheville Saddlebred Classic May Asheville, NC
Greater Boston Charity May Northampton, MA
ARHPA May Harrodsburg, KY
Rock Creek June Louisville, KY
Blowing Rock Saddlebred June Blowing Rock, NC
Cleveland Tri-State Charity June McDonald, TN
Syracuse International June Syracuse, NY
NC State Championships September Raleigh, NC
Tri-State Classic October McDonald, TN FINAL
For specific details about the class, including day, entry fees and requirements, etc., contact the hosting show.
​
The Championship Finals class will be held in October at the Tri-State Classic.
​​​
Frequently Asked Questions:
The series will use a points system, fashioned after how many sire stakes points are tallied. The more a nominated horse shows and places, the more points they earn to qualify for the Championship Class at The Tris State Classic the second week in October.
Eligibility: Horses must have had electronic eligibilities ordered or were sold at a commercial yearling sale.
Nomination: Horses must be nominated to the USTA.
Membership/Ownership: Owners of the nominated horse must be members of the USTA and the American Road Horse & Pony Association. USTA records must reflect current owner at time of nomination. Nominated horses must have an ARHPA Horse ID within 10 days of the nomination deadline.
Rules: All classes that make up the series will be judged in accordance with USEF Chapter RD Roadster Division rules.
Points for Championship: The region that a horse earns points in is based on the state the horse’s trainer is located. Horses can show at any show in the series, in any region, but earned points will be allocated to the trainer’s region. The top three horses from each region’s point standings will be invited to show in the Championship Class.