Hoof Beats Magazine: U.S. Trotting Association Profile, Harness Racing Content and Staff
Profile updated November 2026
Hoof Beats magazine is the official publication of the U.S. Trotting Association, the breed registry and governing body for Standardbred harness racing. Published from the USTA's Ohio headquarters in print and digital editions, it covers trotters and pacers, the people who train and drive them, and the races they run.
| Publisher | United States Trotting Association (USTA) |
|---|---|
| Address | 6130 S. Sunbury Rd., Westerville, OH 43081 |
| Format | Print and digital editions |
| Editor | James Witherite |
| Youth title | Youth Beats, a free magazine for kids |
| Subject | Standardbred harness racing and breeding |
| Official website | HoofBeats.USTrotting.com |
History of Hoof Beats
Hoof Beats has long served as the USTA's magazine for owners, breeders, trainers, drivers and fans of harness racing. Veteran harness writer Dean Hoffman has served it as a consultant during editorial transitions.
Kim French became editor in May 2018. When she left for another racing job in March 2021, the USTA named Kathy Parker editor. Parker had joined The Horseman and Fair World in 1980, edited it from 1995, launched harnessracing.com in 1998 and was inducted into the Communicators Hall of Fame in 2015.
James Witherite joined the magazine as assistant editor and now leads it as editor. Hoof Beats has since launched a redesigned digital edition, reported by the Daily Racing Form, to reach readers beyond the mailbox.
Hoof Beats Today
The magazine's site offers a preview of each month's issue, recent articles, a digital edition for subscribers and online services for subscriptions, renewals and address changes. It sells print and online advertising to breeders, farms and racetracks.
The USTA also publishes Youth Beats, a free magazine introducing children to Standardbreds and harness racing, and runs the US Trotting News site, which carries daily racing news and USTA announcements.
What Hoof Beats Is Publishing Now
Racing and stakes
Coverage of major stakes such as the Hambletonian and Little Brown Jug, plus horse of the year races.
Breeding and sales
Stallion, broodmare and yearling sale coverage for Standardbred breeders.
People of the sport
Profiles of trainers, drivers, owners, grooms and the fair circuits where many careers begin.
Hoof Beats Editors and Staff
The Hoof Beats contact page lists:
- James Witherite - Editor
- Gena Gallagher - Art Director and Production Manager
- Mark Hall - Photographer
- Heather Cason - Advertising Director
- Kathy Parker - Former editor (named 2021)
- Kim French - Former editor, 2018 to 2021
Story ideas, letters and freelance submissions go to hoofbeats@ustrotting.com.
Who Reads Hoof Beats
Readers are USTA members, Standardbred owners and breeders, trainers, drivers and racing fans, many on small horse farms across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana and other harness racing states. USDA's Census of Agriculture counts horses and equine farms among the nation's livestock operations.
Harness racing people know early mornings, jog carts and county fair grandstands better than anyone. When the training is done, farm.FM has farm satire and farm humor for the backstretch crowd, with ranch humor for the western cousins who ride instead of drive. Its farm jokes trot along at a comfortable pace and never break stride.
Part newsroom, part radio dial, farm.FM bills itself as America's first satirical farm site and plays Tractor Tunes, its country music for farmers. Browse a farm.FM writer's back catalog to see the style.
Hoof Beats Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Hoof Beats magazine - official site, staff and subscriptions.
- US Trotting News: Kathy Parker succeeds Kim French - the 2021 editor change.
- Daily Racing Form: Hoof Beats digital edition - the digital launch.
- USDA NASS: Census of Agriculture - equine farm data.
- USDA NASS Quick Stats - horse inventory statistics.
Hoof Beats FAQ
Who publishes Hoof Beats magazine?
The United States Trotting Association, from Westerville, Ohio.
Who edits Hoof Beats?
James Witherite is editor.
What does Hoof Beats cover?
Standardbred harness racing: trotters and pacers, stakes races, breeding and the people of the sport.
Is there a youth edition?
Yes. The USTA publishes Youth Beats, a free magazine for kids.
For trotters, pacers and the people behind them, Hoof Beats magazine remains harness racing's official voice.