National Steeplechase Association Hosts ROAP CE Program
The annual NSA stewards and racing officials continuing education program, normally a one-day session, was expanded to a two-day event in 2026, held on Monday, September 14 and Tuesday, September 15 in Fair Hill, Maryland.
The comprehensive seminar was conducted at the Equine Veterinary Care facility, on the grounds of the Fair Hill Training Center, with NSA Director of Racing Bill Gallo serving as host and moderator. There were 45 officials in attendance each day, representing 11 Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions from around the country. Stewards from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, Arkansas, Minnesota, Utah, Kentucky, and the NSA were present, before the Stewards Advisory Committee of the National Steeplechase Association, the governance body for steeplechase racing in America. In total, 24 ROAP accredited stewards received 16 hours of CE credit for two days of participation and 15 others earned 8 hours of CE for one day at the seminar.
Monday’s morning program featured a review of the NSA regulatory structure by Stewards Advisory Committee chairman Gregg Morris, an overview of the benefits of the Fair Hill Training Center by Fair Hill Executive Director Will Phipps, an open discussion of recent racing issues by journalist Joe Clancy, a wagering integrity presentation by Curtis Linnell, Executive VP of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, and a Zoom presentation by veteran steward Bernie Hettel from Kentucky.
The afternoon session focused on a lengthy discussion, via Zoom, with NYRA steward Victor Escobar and Jockey Club steward Trish Bowman, concerning transparency in the steward’s stand, supported by several videos of “Stewards Review,” hosted by NYRA/FOX Sports TV’s Andy Serling, during the recent Saratoga race meet. Escobar and Bowman emphasized “consistent application of the rules of racing,” and stood by their innovative approach to modern day stewarding via weekly explanatory review.
The afternoon concluded with another Zoom presentation by general and equine lawyer Drew Mollica, who entertained the audience with his personal and varied journey within the industry that led to his current career as a defense lawyer for many clients involved in racing.
On Tuesday morning there were discussions on a variety of subjects, including stewards video and photo finish at NSA race meets by Chris Bell from Alliance Productions, the ever changing role of the Safety Steward by NSA steward Wayne VanSant, weights and jockey welfare by Delaware Steward Bobby Colton, an explanation of the NSA ratings system by Bill Gallo, crisis management by NSA Stewards Advisory Committee member Jack Sanford, and a detailed presentation by Committee member Gus Brown on the demeanor and expectations for NSA stewards serving on the circuit. Bernie Hettel was featured on Zoom again Tuesday to offer additional insights and advice gleaned from his many years of stewarding in Kentucky and other jurisdictions. Also, Rick Abbott, chairman of the NSA’s Hearing, Review & Appeals Committee described, in detail, the functions of the NSA’s highest regulatory body.
The Tuesday afternoon program featured a presentation by Dr. Reynolds Cowles and Dr. Kathy Anderson on standard equine medical practices and pre-race veterinary exams. Dr. Cowles serves as the NSA’s Equine Medical Director, and Dr. Anderson is the owner and operator of the Equine Veterinary Care center at Fair Hill.
The afternoon session also included a personal presentation by Ralph Theroux Jr., via Zoom, about his lifetime on the racetrack in New York, which included a foundation of knowledge and experience on the backside, followed by several years as a prominent jockey agent, and ultimately positions in the racing office and service as a steward following his ROAP accreditation. Steeplechase steward Beale Payne and Virginia state steward Whitney Verbal followed with a thorough review of jump racing at Saratoga and Colonial Downs, which was conducted concurrently throughout the summer.
The two-day seminar concluded with an introduction and interview of Lynne Cooper and Burley Vannote, two (of four) aspiring stewards sponsored by the NSA that are heading to the ROAP accreditation school in Lexington, KY in late September.
