The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules, Part 2 Race Meetings \ Division 4 Apprentice Jockeys, Jockeys and Jockey’s Agents
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
210t Use of riding crops
(1) In a *race in which a *jockey will not ride with a riding crop; an announcement of that fact must be made over the public address system.
(2) Although the use of riding crop is not required, any jockey who uses a riding crop during a race must not apply to a *horse:
(a) On the head, flanks, or on any part of its body, other than the shoulders or hind quarters;
(b) During a post parade;
(c) Excessively or brutally, so as to cause welts or breaks in the skin;
(d) When the horse is clearly out of the race has obtained its maximum placing
(e) Persistently, even though the horse is showing no response under the riding crop.
(3) Correct uses of the riding crops are:
(a) Showing horses, the riding crop before urging them,
(b) Using the riding crop in rhythm with the horse's stride,
(c) Using the riding crop as an aid to maintain a horse running straight.
(d) Jockeys may use the riding crop on the hindquarters to activate and focus the horse a maximum of six times during a race. The six permitted uses shall be in increments of two or fewer strikes. The rider must allow at least two strides for the horse to respond before using the riding crop again.
(e) Jockeys may tap the horse on the shoulder with the riding crop while both hands are holding on to the reins and both hands are touching the neck of the horse.
Rule 210 t Use of riding crops currently states:
(1) In a *race in which a *jockey will not ride with a riding crop; an announcement of that fact must be made over the public address system.
(2) Although the use of riding crop is not required, any jockey who uses a riding crop during a race must not apply to a *horse:
(a) On the head, flanks, or on any part of its body, other than the shoulders or hind quarters;
(b) During a post parade;
(c) Excessively or brutally, so as to cause welts or breaks in the skin;
(d) When the horse is clearly out of the race has obtained its maximum placing;
(e) Persistently, even though the horse is showing no response under the riding crop.
(3) Correct uses of the riding crops are:
(a) Showing horses, the riding crop before urging them,
(b) Using the riding crop in rhythm with the horse's stride,
(c) Using the riding crop as an aid to maintain a horse running straight.
(d) Jockey may not apply the riding crop more than three (3) times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 3 Horse Racing Misconduct Division 2 Rule Violations
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 290 g Prohibited substances on race day
(1)No person shall,
if a thoroughbred or quarter horse, after 10:00 am of the *race day, administer to a *horse entered in any form of racing in Alberta at any racetrack administer any of the following, or, if a standardbred, 4 hours and 15 minutes in advance of the first post-time on the day of the *race, administer to a *horse entered in any form of racing in Alberta at any racetrack administer any of the following:
(a) any *drug, *medication, or *foreign substance, including alkalinizing agents that could increase the bicarbonate buffering capacity of a horse, other than normal feed;
(b) any drug, medication, or foreign substance by way of injection by hypodermic syringe, including vitamins, minerals, food supplements, glucose, sugar, alkalinizing agents and alcohol;
(c) any drug, medication, or foreign substance by way of drenching or by rectal lavage with a dose syringe, tube or bottle, or by nebulizer including sodium bicarbonate, sugar, camphor, alkalinizing agents and alcohol.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a horse entered to race may be medicated on race day
(a) in an emergency or for a medical condition following which the horse will be *scratched, or
(b) with a medication approved by *Horse Racing Alberta for the control ofexercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Rule 290 g Prohibited substances on race day currently states:
(1) If a Thoroughbred or Quarter horse
(a) A horse entered to race shall not be administered anymedications, drugs, or a foreign substance 24 hours before posttime of the first race of the day in which the horse has beenentered.
(b)Furosemide administration for Horse Racing Alberta ExerciseInduced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) program shall not beconsidered as a violation of Rule 290 g.
(c)No unauthorized contact between the horse entered and apracticing veterinarian 24 hours prior to the horse racing will bepermitted except for the Official Veterinarian.
(d) Veterinarians are prohibited from any contact with the horseentered to race 24 hours to post time of the first race on the dayof racing.
(e) If a veterinarian shall have to act in the capacity of a veterinarianfor a horse entered to race within 24 hours prior to post time ofthe first race on an emergency basis, the veterinarian andtrainer shall notify the Board of Stewards as soon as reasonablypossible in the circumstances and the horse will be scratched.
(f) If the horse entered to race has had contact with a veterinarianwithin 24 hours of the medication ban, the horse shall bedisqualified for the race it is entered in and any purse moniesshall be redistributed.
(g) Any horse that has been entered to race and has beenadministered any medication within the 24-hour medication ban,will be withdrawn or disqualified from the race.
(2) If a standardbred, no person shall,
administer to a *horse entered in any form of racing in Alberta at any racetrack administer any of the following, 4 hours, and 15 minutes in advance of the first post-time on the day of the race, administer to a *horse entered in any form of racing in Alberta at any racetrack administer any of the following:
(a) any *drug, *medication, or *foreign substance, including alkalinizing agents that could increase the bicarbonate buffering capacity of a horse, other than normal feed;
(b) any drug, medication, or foreign substance by way of injection by hypodermic syringe, including vitamins, minerals, food supplements, glucose, sugar, alkalinizing agents and alcohol;
(c) any drug, medication, or foreign substance by way of drenching or by rectal lavage with a dose syringe, tube or bottle, or by nebulizer including sodium bicarbonate, sugar, camphor, alkalinizing agents and alcohol.
(3) Despite subsection (1) and (2), a horse entered to race may be medicated on race day
(a) in an emergency or for a medical condition following which the horse will be *scratched, or
(b) with a medication approved by *Horse Racing Alberta for the control of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
Spring Examination:
- April 17th
- Location: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
- Registration Period: March 1 - April 15th
Mid-Summer Examination:
- July 11th
- Location: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
- Registration Period: May 1st - July 9th
For more information or to register please contact
The deadline for Registration for the Olds College Racetrack Programs is approaching
Get the skills you need to be a Professional Groom or Exercise Rider – Employment Guaranteed!
The Olds College Racetrack Programs have a tradition of excellence in horse racing in Alberta. Graduates from the Olds College Racetrack Programs are skilled and confident and can be found grooming, riding, driving and training in the sport of racing in Canada and the United States and Internationally.
The Olds College Racetrack Programs have two course streams: Professional Racetrack Groom and Professional Exercise Rider. Students in both courses learn the fundamentals of horse management and the racing industry.
Both courses provide a solid horsemanship foundation for students. Core modules include:
- Horse care and management
- Barn safety and cleanliness
- Regular horse health and emergency care
- Anatomy and Conformation
- Exercise physiology
- Nutrition
- Lameness, Stable and Exercise bandages
- Personal bookkeeping and financial management
Students have classroom sessions as well as hands-on learning with horses at the Olds College and at Century Mile Racetrack. Students work with retired and active racehorses and the hands-on experience sets them up for success when they move to the racetrack and begin working in racing stables.
Groom and Exercise Rider students are required to complete a practicum at a racetrack, training facility or breeding farm. They are then placed into work experience stables and are paid employees while they complete their mandatory courses and training hours.