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Frequently Asked
Questions
Who Can Drive As An Amateur Driver?
Is Amateur Driving Safe?
Do I need to own
race horses to participate?
Who Are the Members of CAADA?
What Are Some of the Other Things That CAADA Does?
How Do I Join CAADA?
What Must I Do Before I Can Drive In A CAADA Race?
Who Can I Contact If I Have Questions?
Who Can Drive As An Amateur Driver?
In order to drive in CAADA sponsored races you must first be a USTA member and
have an M, QF, P, or A drivers license. You also need to qualify as a amateur
driver. The definition we use is as follows:
Definition of an Amateur Driver
An "amateur driver" is one who has not accepted any valuable consideration by
way of or in lieu of compensation for services as a driver from a third party
since January 1, 1995 (during the last 10 years).
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Is Amateur Driving Safe?
One of CAADA’s original premises was to give members the experience in driving
in races and to make those races as safe a possible. CAADA has always stressed
the importance of driving safety. Before a driver can make a start in one of our
races he/she is required to do a number of practice starts off the starting gate
to the satisfaction of the starter. Every year before the start of the racing
season, all CAADA drivers are required to either do one practice start off the
starting gate or drive in a qualifier or other charted race.
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Do I need to own
race horses to participate?
No, it is not absolutely necessary to own horses, but it does make things easier
if you have horses you own with a trainer who may let you drive horses in an
amateur race. We have had members who did not own horses but it is easier
if you do. If you would like to get involved in being an owner, CAADA can
help point you in the right direction of trainers who are "amateur" friendly.
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Who Are the Members of CAADA?
A lot of the current members of CAADA are owners of standardbred horses that
race at Rosecroft Raceway. We also have and have had in the club trainers, grooms,
breeders, race track management personnel, and people who are interested in
learning about driving racehorses. CAADA members are doctors, dentists, lawyers,
engineers, grooms, trainers, accountants, realtors, and many other professions
and jobs.
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What Are Some of the Other Things That CAADA Does?
Over the past 10 years many of the CAADA members have gotten involved in racing
in the CKG Billings series that is raced at tracks all over the United States
and in Canada. Our members have been successful in this series as a number of
our members have won Billings races and a couple of our members have made it to
the finals of the series. In the 2004 Billings series, one our members, Dr. Scott Woogen, won the gold cup race in the finals at The Meadowlands.
CAADA members have also had a chance to drive in international competition.
CAADA has invited groups from Finland, Germany, England, Italy, and New Zealand
to race in this country. CAADA also sent teams of drivers to those same
countries to race. These competitions are races against amateurs from other
countries and it also involves a lot of socializing and a chance to meet amateur
drivers from other countries. In 2004 CAADA sent a group to Italy for a week and
we hosted groups from New Zealand and Finland.
CAADA also has been involved in interclub racing in the US. CAADA has had a
number of races over the years with the Club from Monticello Raceway in New
York, Pompano Downs in Florida, and Sacramento Downs in California.
CAADA also does some charity events. Every summer we have a Pro-Am race or
Pro-Am series that benefits a local charity.
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How Do I Join CAADA?
Contact CAADA by e-mail, phone or mail and an application will be sent if you
are interested in joining. The annual dues for membership
are $100 for a driving member and $25 for an associate (non driving) member. Or
watch this website for an announcement of the annual CAADA meeting at
Rosecroft Raceway (usually in March of each year) or come to one of the CAADA
races listed on the race schedule and inquire at the Rosecroft office about how to contact
one of the club members.
CAADA is always actively looking for members and if you contact any of our
members you find they are very enthusiastic about the club.
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What Must I Do Before I Can Drive In A CAADA Race?
All members that wish to drive in a CAADA event must have completed the
following:
1. Must be licensed by the USTA as a matinee (M), qualifying/fair (Q/F),
provisional (P), or full (A) licensed driver. You can not, however have driven
as a professional (accepted money for your driving services) in the past ten
(10) years.
2. Ride in the Starter's car, on at least one occasion, preferably at Rosecroft
Raceway (can be waived if you have above Q/F license).
3. Have at least six (6) sessions going off the gate in schooling races or in
CAADA gate training sessions. At least one of these sessions must be with the
starter; in which he will give and explain the post parade and starting
procedure (including the score down, turning to post, etc.) In addition to the
six sessions the Rosecroft starter will have final approval as to whether a
driver is qualified to start in CAADA races. This may be waived if a driver has
a Q/F license or higher and has previously raced off the starting gate in
amateur or fair races.
4. Drivers who have raced in CAADA races in a previous year shall have at least
one (1) session off the gate during the current year and/or the approval of the
Rosecroft Raceway starter. In addition to the starting gate session the
Rosecroft starter will have final approval as to whether a driver is qualified
to start in CAADA races. This may be waived if a driver has a Q/F license or
higher and has previously raced off the starting gate in amateur or fair races.
5. Complete a log book showing your development from jogging to training miles
to going behind the gate, etc. This is waived if you have five (5) years
experience in the harness horse business as a licensed groom, trainer, or
driver.
6. Show proficiency in the putting the harness and other equipment on a horse to
make a horse ready to go to the starting gate and have a thorough understanding
of the purpose of each piece of equipment. This should be approved by a licensed
trainer or professional driver. This is waived if you have five (5) years
experience in the harness horse business as a licensed groom, trainer, or
driver.
If you have at least three starts in qualifying or fair races you can get
approved by sending in the dates, locations, and names of the presiding judge
and/or drivers who competed with you in each event and if you get credit for a
safe drive and are approved by the President of CAADA and/or the Rosecroft
starter you may be eligible to drive in a CAADA event.
This is not as hard as it sounds. Most of the preparations to race
are a lot of fun and you will learn a great deal also while you are doing it.
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Who Can I Contact If I Have Questions?
E-mail: CAADA at TROTTERS@CAADA.ORG
Mailing Address:
CAADA
218 N. 32nd Street
Richmond, Virginia 23223
Telephone:
Scott Leaf 703-455-1339
Steve McKay 804-222-3161
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