A few horse racing jurisdictions have adopted the position of a field or safety steward including Wyoming, California, Delaware, New Mexico, New York and all National Steeplechase Events. This individual provides the presence of an accredited steward on the grounds during morning training and throughout the race day of a licensed racing facility. As a fourth member of the board of stewards, he or she is responsible for the monitoring of activities throughout the barn area, racetrack and any other restricted areas for potential rule violations, unsafe conditions and situations during training and the races in order to help insure the integrity of horse racing and the safety of the horses and participants.
Specifically, the field-safety steward:
- Checks individuals for current and correct licensing status;
- Investigates leads which may involve rule violations including the inappropriate or prohibited use of medications, and/or the possession of illegal drugs and contraband;
- Conducts safety checks during training to include proper use of protective helmets and safety vests;
- Provides a presence in the shed row of all barns to monitor compliance with fire and safety standards, equine environmental safety, proper licensing, presence of injectables and syringes, and any other unusual activities or practices;
- Assists Investigators when searching barns, vehicles and trailers with just cause via a Stewards’ order, positive lab report, directive from the executive director, or in cooperation with track security.
- Coordinates the administration of observing and testing candidates for licenses as trainers, assistant trainers, apprentice jockeys, exercise riders and pony riders.
- Provides resources and information on continuing education for fire safety and proper equine care through the state fire marshal, insurance risk managers and horsemen’s education programs;
- Works with track management to establish and maintain emergency medical care, human and horse ambulance policies, procedures and protocols for training and racing;
- Monitors the ship-ins to stable, work or race to ensure proper licensing, horse identification, health certificates and coggins, and on-time arrivals for pre-race exams, Lasix administration and race;
- Assists state veterinarians with out-of-competition testing, pre-race exams, equine welfare and any other requests for assistance; and
- Works in close cooperation with the other members of the board of stewards.
As a fourth steward, with boots on the ground and eyes & ears in the barn area, on the racetrack, in the saddling paddock, test barn and other restricted area, he or she is a very valuable addition to the board of stewards. Unfortunately, most racing jurisdictions do not currently have field-safety stewards. The alternative is for the three-member board of stewards to take turns performing some of the duties of a field-safety steward. As time and office/stand demands allow, a steward can:
- Watch training in the mornings to insure proper on-track safety protocols, checking to make sure the outriders, human ambulance with a para-medic, and the horse ambulance are in place;
- Walk the shed row of a barn or two a couple times a week before and after the races;
- Visit the saddling paddock during the horse ID and saddling process;
- Watch schooling at the starting gate occasionally;
- Visit the test barn after the races, observing sample collection and chain of custody procedures;
- Observe licensing procedures prior to racing;
- Observe a barn and/or vehicle search; and
- Observe the in-and-out procedures at the stable gate.
Preforming these duties will keep the board of stewards more acutely of what goes on; and how the safety and integrity rules and regulations are enforced at their racetrack.