ISA Board of Directors hold first 2026 meeting

January 5, 2026 by Tammy Knox

The Indiana Standardbred Board of Directors reconvened for their first meeting of 2026 Monday, January 5 at the ISA Offices in Greenfield, Indiana. First on the agenda was to swear in those directors reelected as well as two new directors Jason Miller and Daryl Miller. Roger Young, ISA’s Counsel, provided the appropriate steps to officially secure the new board.

Matt Norris and Adam Kallick kicked off the business portion of the meeting with updates from the Statehouse. Norris noted the new session began Monday, January 5 and will run through February 27 for the non-budget year. Norris talked about several bills that could affect Indiana horse racing and Kallick gave some background on the processes, with the main focus on the concept of a casino license in Allen County.

Norris also gave an update on i-Gaming, which would allow gaming online. Kallick noted the legislators plan to submit a joint resolution this session talking about horse racing and its impact on the state, which will give racing another avenue of recognition for both the Senate and House. No date has been assigned to the resolution.

Officers were elected for the 2026 calendar year with John DeLong retaining the Presidents position. He will be joined by First Vice President Robert Taylor, Second Vice President Doug Rideout, and Rhys Helt as Treasurer, all reoccurring roles. Zach Miller was voted in as secretary of the board to replace outgoing director Emily Dever.

Committees were also updated for the year with Jamie Macomber moving into the chair position for breeding and sales. Daryl Miller also joined the committee. Jason Miller was added to the County Fair committee as well as the Commission Relations. Carrie Hollman moved into a position on the Grants committee and became the new chair of the Membership and Promotions, a committee that Daryl Miller was also added to. Hollman was also added to the Publications committee. Casandra and Rick Uppal were voted in as 2026 Horsemen’s Representatives along with April Neafus as the Transportation Driver.

Macomber gave an update on an upcoming sales gathering with a Breeders/Consignors meeting set for Friday, January 30 beginning at 3 p.m. at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on the lower level. Also, Premier Acres will offer an Open House event to introduce new stallions and offer a look at their facilities Saturday, January 31. Macomber also noted surveys were sent to consignors with emails on file and those results will be shared at the Breeders/Consignors meeting.

Time was spent discussing new ways to attract buyers in the state with discussion led by Ernie Gaskin before the focus was turned to pari-mutuel racing, which begins early this year in a little over a month. DeLong updated the board on some changes with Breed Development, including an added Aged Series and more money allocated to two-year-old races. President DeLong noted the first pari-mutuel committee meeting is set for Wednesday, January 7 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Zach Miller said eight applications had been received for college assistance. DeLong noted the first Commission Relations meeting would be held Wednesday, January 7. Doug Rideout reported on the recent County Fair meeting with most dates set. Racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will be expanded to four days the third week of June. State Fair racing dates were also established with Grand Circuit set for August 12, Governors Cup Championships set for August 19, and Elite racing August 31.

Executive Director Tony Renz asked for several approvals for the first quarter of the year, including an outing for ISA members at the Indianapolis Indians ballgame Sunday, April 26 with a 1:30 p.m. start. The board also approved the renewal of the Night Drive Partnership with Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Trading Cards for regional participants were also renewed with the Harness Horse Youth Foundation with Renz noting they are utilized during Speed Barn Tours and National FFA Convention activities. The Grattan Helmet initiative in 2025 had 23 orders and the board voted to renew the program with deep discounts to members in 2026.

Jay Hochstetler provided an update on the new Website design by John Adamsky. Kallick also added Adamsky’s work on a half-page ad that runs every other Friday in the Legislative Insight. The board also applauded Adamsky’s work with social media outlets and other initiatives last season.

The board voted to begin Chaplain Claudeen Webb’s employment a month early due to the early start date for racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Webb will begin February 1. Renz also noted all directors are invited to the Community Center ribbon cutting at Horseshoe Indianapolis at 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 6. The facility will provide office and gathering space for horsemen and women as well as a chapel for church activities.

The ISA is currently seeking donations for their annual raffle and door prizes for the Indiana Standardbred Banquet coming up Saturday, January 24. Any donations may be made or arranged by contacting the ISA Office.

The ISA Board will hold their second meeting of 2026 Monday, February 2 at the ISA Office in Greenfield.

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