Current News
Midwest Horse Fair Next Weekend! (13-April)
It’s that time of year again! The Midwest Horse Fair in Madison , WI is being held April 18th-20th, 2008. This year’s theme is “Dancing with the Horses”. The Standardbreds will be in barn #3. We will be doing a breed demonstration in the main coliseum on Friday at 8:20 AM and Saturday at 9:40 AM . The Midwest Horse Fair hours are Friday 8am to 10pm , Saturday 8am to 10pm and Sunday 8am to 5pm . Please stop by and visit! If you can volunteer any time to help man the booth on any of the days, please contact Sadie Gunnink via cell phone at 262-203-3868 or by email at sadie611@elknet.net.
Standardbred 'Painted Pony' (13-April)
A Painted Pony named “Racing Colors”
A wonderful opportunity presented itself for the fans of harness racing when Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills, Inc. (SMILES), a non-profit 501C3 organization based in Darien , WI announced a special fundraiser. “In the spirit of Chicago ’s ‘Cows on Parade’ and Cincinnati ’s ‘Big Pig Gig’, a stampede of masterfully painted ponies will adorn the streets of Lake Geneva , WI this summer. ‘Horsing-Around-Town’ will feature 80 sponsored equine sculptures situated throughout the downtown Lake Geneva area and along the waterfront for public viewing June through September.”
There was a call for any parties interested to submit an artist proposal for review and selection. Sadie (Smith) Gunnink, newly elected WHHA Board Member, answered the call by submitting a proposal that featured a horse to be decorated like a Standardbred race horse. Her pony is titled “Racing Colors”. The design is completely composed of harness racing photos arranged in such a way as when the viewer stands back from the piece, it will look like a horse in harness with a bridle, racing hood and number on its back, ready to race. Up close, the viewer will see hundreds of individual photos of horses harness racing, grandstands, drivers, fans, and behind-the-scenes shots of local racing. The design is meant to honor the momentous occasion of 150 years of harness racing at the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn , WI , but still pays homage to the sport itself.
Parties interested in becoming a sponsor of this or any of the other ponies or attending the fall art auction being held at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva , WI should contact Kathy Hansen of SMILES at 262-880-3977. If you have any pictures that you would like to share with Sadie for her design prior to April 30th, please email her at sadie611@elknet.net.
Click here for a sketch of Sadies vision for 'Racing Colors'.
USTA Contests for Youth (13-April)
Youth Beats and the USTA are proud to announce two ways for creative kids to win in 2008.
Are you a writer with a good story to tell? Beginning on May 1, the USTA will accept entries for the 2008 Marie Hill Youth Writing Contest, open to all USTA Youth members, 16 years of age and younger. Entries may be fiction or nonfiction, but the subject should be about harness racing and/or the Standardbred breed.
Submissions must be received no later than Aug. 1, and winners will be selected from two categories: 12 and under and 13-16. Winners will receive a cash prize and be published in Youth Beats, the leading harness racing ‘zine for kids. Entries may not exceed 1,000 words, and must be accompanied by an official entry form or cover letter.
Information: Jamie Coffy, jamie.coffy@ustrotting.com, or 877.800.8782, ext. 3260. Click here for more information (Word).
If drawing or photography is your talent, the USTA has introduced the inaugural Equine Artist of Tomorrow Contest. Also beginning May 1, all USTA Youth members are encouraged to submit their original art and photo images for the chance to win an official USTA prize package and have their submission published in the December issue of Youth Beats.
The subject of entries should be Standardbreds and/or harness racing. Winners will be chosen in two categories, 12 and under and 13-18. Entries must be received by Aug. 1.
Information: Jason Turner, jason.turner@ustrotting.com, 877.800.8782, ext.3269. Click here for more information (Word).
Running Aces to Host Owners Seminar (13-April)
Running Aces Opening Day (10-April)
Harness racing has a new home, and its right next door! Running Aces Harness Park, located just north of the Twin Cities, opens for racing on Friday, April 11.
The 5/8-mile harness racing track and 50-table card room is owned and operated by the North Metro Harness Initiative, LLC, 50% owned by Southwest Casino and Hotel Corporation, and 50% owned by MTR Harness, part of MTR Gaming Group, operator of Scioto Downs, Jackson Raceway, and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack, and Resort. The card room will feature 25 poker tables and 25 tables for casino games. Full service dining and concession stands will be available.
Running Aces Harness Park has a 53-day meet scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from April 11 until July 6. Racing is at 6 p.m. Central Time, with Sunday post at 3 p.m. Tuesday races will also be held on June 17 and June 24. The track is located north of St. Paul on I-35 at Highway 97, about three hours by car from La Crosse.
Bob Faranella is the General Manager of Running Aces, with Greg Keidel serving as Director of Racing, and Craig Braddick (originally from England) handling track announcing duties. Additional information is available at www.runningacesharness.com, or the Minnesota Harness Racing, Inc. website , www.mnharness.com. Greg Budach is Secretary-Treasurer for MHRI, (507) 234-2261.
The Wisconsin Harness Horse Association
