Last Updated: March 26th, 2006
Copyright 2006 WHHA
Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame
Elmer Bronkhorst
1909-1996
Inducted 1993
Elmer Bronkhorst was born on February 6, 1909. His father raised and sold draft horses, so Elmer learned early in life how to break a horse gently to its owner's demands. When he quit farming in 1951, he raised all kinds of livestock for a few years, but in 1956 he returned to his first love, horses. At this time Elmer also raised and sold horses to Amish farmers looking for trotters for their buggies, some years selling more than 100 horses a year. In 1956 Elmer purchased his first Standardbred and started racing at the fairs in Wisconsin. In the early 60s, Elmer raced at the pari-mutual tracks with his standout horse, M.P. Chuck. This horse was the top free for all trotter at the Chicago and Ohio race tracks. Elmer trained and raced Wisconsin trotters of the year, Miss Swiss Sutton in 1981 and 1982, and Ryans Tanerlane in 1990 and 1991. Dressed in his red and grey racing silks, Elmer was a figure of quiet authority both on and off the race track. This man of few words was respected and admired by his actions.
Nominated by George Woodbridge
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The Wisconsin Harness Horse Association
