RegVet CE 2026:
BASICS & BEYOND – Providing Educational Tools for the Regulatory Veterinarian
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LIVE, In-Person Event at Los Alamitos – March 9 – 10, 2026:
PLUS…..LIVE Webinar Series 2026 – begins April 7th:
…and more! RegVet CE 2026 On-Demand – available May 1st:
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium’s annual in-person veterinary continuing education event will be held March 9 – 10, 2026 at Los Alamitos, Cypress, CA. This event offered 16 hours of continuing education credit (approval pending by AAVSB RACE program).
The RegVet CE 2026 program continues with the LIVE Webinar Series, from Tuesday, April 7th through Tuesday, September 1st, 2026. This course offers six live webinars that will present NEW topics related to this year’s theme – BASICS & BEYOND – Providing Educational Tools for the Regulatory Veterinarian. The LIVE Webinar Series provides up to an additional 12 hours of CE credit (approval pending by AAVSB RACE program).
The entire LIVE Webinar Series will be recorded and uploaded to the RegVet CE 2026: On-Demand website, provided by American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The first On-Demand course will be available May 1st, 2026, and subsequent webinars will be posted 1-2 weeks following each live webinar date. Access to RegVet CE 2026 Webinar Series: On-Demand is included with the registration fee for the LIVE Webinar Series and will remain available through December 31, 2026.
CE Credit & Registration fees:
RegVet CE 2026 LIVE, In-Person Event at Los Alamitos, Cypress, CA -$450
RegVet CE 2026 LIVE Webinar Series, including On-Demand access; up to 12 credit hours – $225
BOTH: The Entire 2026 Course Package: $525
($100 Discount on all course fees for IGSRV Members)
RegVet CE 2026 AGENDAS
LIVE In-Person Event at Los Alamitos:
March 9 – 10, 2026
Date |
Time |
Topic |
Description |
Speaker | Bios |
| March 9 – 10 | What’s New | Dr. Hardy will moderate a review of new information on a wide range of topics relative to the day-to-day responsibilities of the racing regulatory veterinarian with a focus on safety, welfare, drug testing, pharmacology, technology, and research. | Michael Hardy, DVM | |
| March 9 – 10 | Unsanctioned Racing – Risks to Regulated Racing | Dr. Pelzel-McClusky will discuss her research related to Quarter Horse unsanctioned racing, including uncovered evidence of doping schemes and iatrogenic transmissible equine infectious diseases. She will cite case histories and investigative findings where the practice of blood doping resulted in a threat to both horse health and racing integrity and broader implications to regulated racing. | Angela Pelzel McClusky, MS, DVM | |
| March 9 – 10 | Wearable Technology Update | Wearable Technologies provide a unique opportunity for the racing industry to identify new mechanisms to aide horsemen, attending veterinarians, and regulatory veterinarians in monitoring the physical well-being of the horse. Dr. Farmer will provide an overview of what technologies are being used at their respective tracks, what they have learned, and how they will be applied as apart of their day to day responsibilities going forward. | Will Farmer, DVM | |
| March 9 – 10 |
Advancing Safety and Welfare in Horseracing: An International Perspective |
Drawing on his roles as Manager of the Examination Division at the JRA Miho Training Center and Chair of the IGSRV, Dr. Fumi Mizobe will outline science-based strategies to protect racehorse welfare. The talk will highlight international perspectives on key issues such as post-exertional distress and explore how this work translates info practical approaches for managing racehorse health both in Japan and globally. |
Fumiaki Mizobe, DVM, PhD | |
| March 9 – 10 | Principles of Pre-Race Exam | Dr. Hardy will present on the components and strategies of the pre-race examination, benefits and limitations, and what are considered best practices. He will discuss the AAEP lameness score and how this applies to determining racing soundness of the racehorse and define baseline clinical parameters for determining an unsound horse. | Michael Hardy, DVM | |
| March 9 – 10 | Case Histories | Dr. Benson will moderate a panel discussion of diverse case histories from multiple racing jurisdictions specifically addressing various sources of information regulatory veterinarians utilize to develop a profile which aide in determining racing soundness, alongside the clinical exam of horses in training or racing. Panelists will share case histories, (which will include risk assessment strategies, pre-race/work exam findings, previous injuries, diagnostics, and other sources information) outcomes, and lessons learned. | Moderator: Dionne Benson, JD, DVM; Tim Grande, DVM; Nick Smith, DVM; Danielle Schilpp, DVM | |
| March 9 – 10 | Clinical Pathology at the Racetrack | Dr. Hovda, a long-standing regulatory veterinarian and veterinary internist, will review basic principles of clinical pathology in the horse. As clinical pathology is a commonly used tool by practicing veterinarians, Dr. Hovda will discuss its applications to evaluate the racehorse’s health. | Lynn Hovda, RPH, MS, DVM, DACVIM | |
| March 9 – 10 | Starting Gate Management | Dr. Fitzgerald, a regulatory veterinarian for Los Alamitos, will discuss the unique responsibilities of the regulatory veterinarian at the starting gate. She will detail key observations, the decision-making tree of the horse’s soundness and fitness to race in the event of an adverse event in the gate, and triage response to a starting gate emergency. Dr. Fitzgerald will share starting gate challenges with Quarter Horse racing. | Rebecca Fitzgerald, DVM | |
| March 9 – 10 | How to be an Expert Witness | Regulatory veterinarians are often asked to provide expert witness testimony in various horse racing cases. Dr. Benson will discuss what regulatory veterinarians need to know about establishing credibility through qualifications, understanding what you are being asked to do, factual discoveries from your research, what your conclusions are, and how to prepare for cross-examination. | Dionne Benson, JD, DVM | |
| March 9 – 10 | Mortality Reviews – How to utilize the Diagnostic Laboratory as a valuable resource. | This panel will discuss best practices of the mortality review process. They will share how to effectively garner useful information, how to foster an effective relationship with the Diagnostic Laboratory and utilize that as a valuable resource, and how to assimilate conclusions and determine areas of improvement. Panel members will share tips on how to evaluate the results of the review for each individual horse but also keeping the population perspective in mind while also effectively communicating the results of the review and potential next steps with the covered persons. | Rick Arthur, DVM; Tim Grande, DVM, MPH; Dionne Benson, JD, DVM | |
| March 9 – 10 | Risk Analysis – Handicapping | Dr. Grande will present on the strategies for risk analysis. He will discuss in detail what resources are available and what risk assessment parameters are used for review. Dr. Grande will also provide a handicapper’s perspective on the health and soundness of a horse based on the resources they have available. | Tim Grande, DVM, MPH | |
| March 9 – 10 | Cardiac Workup – Considerations for the Collapsed Horse | Dr. Durando will provide an overview of the Cardiac Workup, including signalment, clinical and performance histories, and investigative diagnostics. She will also provide insight into the the workup of the acutely poor performing and the collapsed horse. | Mary Durando, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM) | |
| March 9 – 10 | Group Breakout Session: Wetlab (1) – Principles of Splinting/Bandaging; Wetlab (2) – Ultrasound Shoulder/Humerus; Wetlab (3) – Neurologic Exam; Wetlab (4) – Cardiac Auscultation /ECG | Attendees will be assigned to small groups; each group will rotate through Wetlab 1-4 providing a time of instruction covering each topic and an opportunity for hands on experience for attendees. For Wetlab (1) – Principles of Splinting/Bandaging, Dr. Ryan Carpenter will moderate; Wetlab (2) – Ultrasound Shoulder/Humerus, Dr. Betsy Vaughn will moderate, Wetlab (3) – Neurologic Exam, Dr. Barrie Grant will moderate, and Wetlab (4) – Cardiac Auscultation/ECG, Dr. Mary Durando will moderate. | Michael Hardy, DVM (Moderator); Ryan Carpenter, DVM, MS, DACVS; Betsy Vaughn, DVM, DACVSMR; Barrie Grant, DVM, DACVS; Mary Durando, DVM, PhD, DACVIM | |
| March 9 – 10 | Atrial Fibrillation in the Standardbred | Dr. Akhurst will detail atrial fibrillation and its impact on performance and safety and/or risk factors associated with EASD in racehorses, with a focus on Standardbreds. She will provide insight into how to diagnose and manage cases acutely but also in horses with known histories | Sian Durward-Akhurst, BVMS, PhD, DACVIM-LA, MRCVS | |
| March 9 – 10 | Track Manager in the Field | Dr. Farmer will present on the use of the InCompass Track Manager program for the regulatory veterinarian. He will discuss how to best utilize this resource in real-time, including all of the available features such as, pre-race exam maintenance, vet exams, non-race day observations, vets list entry and removal, inputting relevant treatment details, HISA entry requirements, running reports, and apply to race day activities. | Will Farmer, DVM | |
| March 9 – 10 | Standardbred Equipment – Carts, Poles, and Harnesses | Mr. Larson, Presiding Judge for the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, will provide an overview of equipment used in Standardbred racing and their potential implications on safety and welfare. | Casey Larson | |
| March 9 – 10 | The Farrier’s Perspective at the Racetrack | Dr. Deluhery will provide a farriers perspective at the racetrack will a focus on the foot as a critical contributor to racing soundness. This discussion with be a focus on the foot, shoeing methods, and what it means for the regulatory veterinarian when we see these shoeing changes. | Jay Deluhery, DVM, MBA | |
LIVE Webinar Series (includes On-Demand access):
Date |
Time (ET) |
Topic |
Description |
Speaker |
| TBD | Biosecurity – Strategies for Managing Infectious Disease at the Racetrack | Dr. Flynn will discuss strategies to address biosecurity measures on event grounds in the case of a disease outbreak. She will address how a regulatory veterinarian goes about identifying the index case, exposed horses, setting a perimeter/quarantine, establishing biosecurity measures and traffic flow, and determining appropriate diagnostics to assess risk and provide guidance as to how the track should move forward also while minimizing interruptions to everyday racing and training | Katie Flynn, DVM | |
| TBD | Review of Injury Management | Dr. Hinchliffe will review the responsibilities of the regulatory veterinarian during racing. She will focus on responding to and triaging injuries during racing, highlighting the injury management plan best practices. | Sarah Hinchliffe, DVM | |
| TBD | Pulmonary Diagnostics | The health of the Pulmonary System is one of the most critical components to the performance and longevity of the race horse to remain in competition. This session will focus on common medical conditions and associated diagnostics to address the Pulmonary System in the race horse. | TBD | |
| TBD | Beyond Lameness | Although musculoskeletal injury and racing soundness are a strong focus within racing, the racetrack practitioner manages a diverse case load beyond lameness. This session will provide an overview of other conditions that consume veterinarian’s time, i.e., ophthalmology, weight management, pleuropneumonia, injury management, etc… | Tom Bergstrom, DVM | |
| TBD | Review and Comparison of Injuries in Racing between Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses | Dr. Stover will provide a review of common race horse injuries with a comparison among race breeds, specifically the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred. A more clear understanding of differences in racing and training styles between race breeds will benefit the regulatory veterinarian in determining at risk horses. | Sue Stover, DVM, DACVS, PhD | |
| TBD | Out of Competition Exams | Drs. Bohannon and Grande will provide an overview of the opportunities for regulatory veterinarian oversight of a resident population of horses within a racing or training facility. They will discuss out-of-competition-exams, requirements for pre-work exams and how these are accomplished, monitoring veterinary exams, layoff exams, utilization of risk assessment reports, designation of risk, and selection of horses to examine in consideration of staff limitations. | Lorie Bohannon, DVM, Tim Grande, DVM, MPH | |
| TBD | HISA Racetrack Safety Program Updates | Members of HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program will discuss current racetrack safety regulations as directed by HISA, rule revisions, relevant updates, necessary reporting improvements, and new data driven risk assessment tools available for regulatory veterinarians. | Jennifer Durenberger, DVM | |
| TBD | HIWU Updates | Members of the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) will discuss content regarding HIWU-directed anti-doping and medication control regulations, operations, and address any updates for 2026. | Michael Hardy, DVM | |
| TBD | Aftercare: The Regulatory Veterinarian’s Role | Because of the diversity of aftercare programs offered within the racing industry, and because regulatory veterinarians often times are asked to mediate these opportunities for race horses, this group of panelists will highlight differences in services offered and how the regulatory veterinarian can intervene and be a resource for these programs. | Stacie Clark, Anna Ford, & Jen Roytz | |
| TBD | Soundness Assessment: Case Videos | Dr. Hardy will moderate a discussion where participants review videos of horses in motion, consider patient histories, and render assessments for fitness to race, or requirements for expanded evaluation of racehorses demonstrating gait abnormalities. The goal of this exercise is to promote consistency in clinical assessment and determination of a horse’s fitness to race, as well as establishing criteria for allowing a horse to regain eligibility to race after a diagnosis of injury or unsoundness. | Michael Hardy, DVM | |
| TBD | Effective Use of Antibiotics | The day-to-day responsibilities of the regulatory veterinarian involve oversight of the health, welfare, and safety of the race horse. With a focus on the safety of the equine athlete, it’s important to remember that the systemic health of the horse is key to optimal performance. Because of the stressful environments these horses, especially young horses, are subjected to, and the likelihood of developing conditions which require treatment, judicial use of antibiotics is an important tool for the practicing veterinarian. In this session Dr. Hovda will review principles of the effective use of antibiotics. | Lynn Hovda, RPH, MS, DVM, DACVIM | |
| TBD | Business Meeting | This will be a closed-door meeting for state racing authority and association regulatory veterinarians only. Dr. Hardy will moderate the discussion providing participants an opportunity to have candid discussions regarding breed/track/state – specific challenges, strategies, and successful initiatives in an open forum. | Michael Hardy, DVM |
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