Robin Clements lets us know about that scumbag David Seigel and HISA BEWARE

[Maria Howard/Plano]

FROM ROBIN CLEMENTS


District 3 USTA members and California horsemen,

My name is Robin Clements and I have raced, trained, owned and bred harness horses in California since 1974. I am a board of director of our California Harness Horsemen’s Association (CHHA), committee member of our California Standardbred Sires Stakes Committee (CSSSC) and Chairperson of our California Harness Hall of Fame for over 12 years now.

The reason I am writing to you is that the USTA (United States Trotting Association) district 3 director’s seat is up for the next 3-year term. We have David Siegel, the incumbent, and Sal DiMario running for the open seat. Now first, I need to make clear that in no way am I representing the opinion or stance of the CHHA or hall of fame and sires’ stakes committees. This letter is solely based on my opinion and experience as a District 3 member and California horseman.

At the core and concern of this letter is the stance David Siegel is taking with the Horse Integrity and Safety Act, aka HISA. HISA was formed and attached to an omnibus bill a few years ago. HISA is an outside entity which was given federal powers to oversee and rule the Thoroughbred industry but without federal funding, meaning all salaries, fines, fees, and other expenses are fed down to the state racing commissions and horsemen. The purpose of HISA was to oversee and make rules to ensure the safety of the Thoroughbred industry. The problem is, is HISA has not shown that their regulatory rules and regulations have helped to ensure the safety of the Thoroughbreds. Case in point, The Kentucky Derby day where 12 horses were stricken with fatalities. Per HISA themselves they stated that Churchill Downs followed all HISA rules. HISA has done nothing to help the Thoroughbred industry in fact they have become an industrial disaster with all their new rules and regulations and going against the advice of the science, research and recommendations of the state and local veterinarians, Track Management and industry horsemen. HISA has been challenged in court and as of now the appellate court has ruled HISA as unconstitutional! An outside entity is not allowed to have federal ruling over an industry. Right now, Rep. Clay Higgins-LA has asked Congress to repeal HISA and to replace it with the Racehorse Safety and Integrity Act which would be run by experts, science, verified research and horsemen to oversee the Thoroughbred industry. The Thoroughbred associations’, Quarter horses and the USTA are backing this bill while also fighting against HISA as unconstitutional.

David Siegel is one of a few district directors voting for HISA yet against the USTA and fellow horsemen who are strongly opposing HISA. The majority of California horsemen are vehemently against HISA as if they were to be able to continue and enter our Harness industry it would be the demise and financial ruin for the horsemen. David just recently sent out a letter as did Sal Dimario on why they would be best suited to fill the district 3 seat. But David was not transparent in his letter that he is totally for HISA. And when questioned about his stance, either ignores the question or makes it out that HISA is a very small item.

Therefore, I am asking you as district 3 members to vote for Sal Dimario who has more experience with our industry than Dave and that Sal will vote and represent the majority instead of voting on his own agenda. Sal Dimario has been the Executive Director of the Delaware Horseman’s Association for the past 27 years and will be retiring and moving out to our District 3 in the next month and is excited to be able to continue representing the horsemen if voted in. So, please I urge you to vote for Sal DiMario when you receive your USTA voting packet. Attached is Sal Dimario’s resume.

Sincerely,

Robin Clements

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

What a coincidence! I received a letter from an unamed horse. He wrote that his blood is like sludge from all the EPO shots he gets, his knees and ankles are all swollen from all the injections he has gotten and was wondering if anyone was ever going to help him. I wrote back to him that HISA would clean up harness racing and rid the sport of the dirtbags but the criminals are fighting against it because that would be the end of them controlling what once was a great sport. The USTA/Russell Williams has secretly urged all district directors to persuade everyone to opppose HISA, as they would lose all control to the FEDS on policing our sport. They don't want anything to change, as those in control are making millions and millions of dollars. I applaud David Siegel for sticking to his guns and not bending over to peer pressure. Russell Williams needs to be impeached for spending millions fighting HISA. Under his watch, there isn't one self reliant track in the Country. All need help to keep the lights on and he, like the little bitch he is will do whatever it takes to keep himself and his corrupt minions in power. I guarantee that if HISA was in control, there would be no slaps on the wrist if you are caught as non veterinarians pulling blood at midnight.   

[Larry Bird Boy]

I think Robin is a horseplopper from back in the day. Didn’t she get barred at los al for juicing. I find it strange that Plano started this thread. He has never gotten along with clements.

[SeattleSlew]

I have a vote in District 3, and have received the letters from both Seigel and DiMario and will be voting for Mr. Seigel, with no contest between the two.

[PucksnHorses]

Seigel is a scumbag!! He is the reason harness players have to pay for programs. Also he is the reason once you buy a program, you can't send it to anyone. He is a total piece of shit!!

[Dingus]

I much prefer RSIA over HISA.
HISA would be charging for all of their costs and be run by outsiders.
RSIA would use existing agencies along with some new entities, and costs would be much less.

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

I much prefer RSIA over HISA.
HISA would be charging for all of their costs and be run by outsiders.
RSIA would use existing agencies along with some new entities, and costs would be much less.

Existing agencies are the reason horse racing is in the toilet. Federal enforcement is the only way to stop the bullshit. I want outsiders running the show. Why would anyone want insiders? They are the same corrupt people that enforce rules for certain people and let others slide. FUCK THEM!!!!! If you are against HISA then you are either one of the scumbags or are linked to one of the scumbags. Get the fuck out of here!!

[Dingus]

Existing agencies are the reason horse racing is in the toilet. Federal enforcement is the only way to stop the bullshit. I want outsiders running the show. Why would anyone want insiders? They are the same corrupt people that enforce rules for certain people and let others slide. FUCK THEM!!!!! If you are against HISA then you are either one of the scumbags or are linked to one of the scumbags. Get the fuck out of here!!

Stop beIng a bully Mike.  You have your opinion and I have mine.
I’m not linked to anyone.

HISA would charge for all of their costs, meaning if the state agencies don’t pay, it falls on the owners.
Read the proposed RSIA guidelines and you’ll see there is enough oversight by outsiders.

[HornbyDuke]

 Im not sure HISA will be the cure all for racing ills that some hope. I  readily acknowledge Mike Campbell is much more knowledgable than me on this topic though.

Ths bottom line to me is ive already seen what states and local organization oversight has led to - wink wink nonenforcement for public display only.

Hisa and fed oversight are a move in right direction imho. For flat and buggy racing to survive it has to restore financial balance to its books.  Integrity and horse safety vital to this, feds will do a superior job on these issues to State and locals.

[helpplease]

Hard to believe anyone would want any government doing anything related to horse racing.

[Dingus]

I actually meant the RHSA- racehorse Health and Safety Act.
Nothing is perfect.

Here’s a link to a comparison of the two:

https://kyhbpa.org/2023/10/why-the-racehorse-health-safety-act-rhsa-is-superior-to-than-hisa/

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Hard to believe anyone would want any government doing anything related to horse racing.

Well, then you are apparently happy with the way non government is running horse racing. That is hard to believe but nothing surprises me anymore.

[Dingus]

https://nationalhbpa.com/wp-content/uploads/RHSAoverview.pdf

The only thing I don’t like about this is the language says the state racing commission can choose to enforce the rules or it can have the RHSA committee enforce it.  I would prefer the RHSA committee be the enforcer.

[LAW AND ORDER]

Existing agencies are the reason horse racing is in the toilet. Federal enforcement is the only way to stop the bullshit. I want outsiders running the show. Why would anyone want insiders? They are the same corrupt people that enforce rules for certain people and let others slide. FUCK THEM!!!!! If you are against HISA then you are either one of the scumbags or are linked to one of the scumbags. Get the fuck out of here!!

GREAT POST!!!!

[helpplease]

Well, then you are apparently happy with the way non government is running horse racing. That is hard to believe but nothing surprises me anymore.

If the sales are any indication the business is thriving.