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Harness
Horsemen host Wilmington College students
On Thursday April 7th the Darke County Harness Horseman played host to
approximately 100 students from Wilmington College. The students,
most pursuing degrees in agricultural or livestock were touring various
areas within the state. Their last stop of the day was in
Greenville touring the barns and being given demonstrations from
various horsemen.
The students were welcomed to fairgrounds by the Darke Co. Harness
Horseman’s president Brian Jones along with Fairboard member and Speed
Superintendent Richard Delk.
The students were given a demonstration on how a race horse is shoed by
blacksmith Steve Myers with the assistance and patience of Don’t Fool
Me Now a 12 year old race horse from the Steve Livingston stable.
Students were shown the proper way to harness a horse including an
explanation of all the different types of equipment a horse may wear
depending on its needs by Ryan Miller. Ryan also explained to the
students the difference between a trotter and a pacer and the variance
of equipment needed for each. Emily Hay, OHHA District
Representative, also brought her own horse to the fairgrounds and
continued the demonstration and included the difference between a jog
cart and a race back.
Brian and Mandy Jones harnessed a horse and gave some lucky students
the opportunity to drive a horse around the half mile track.
Students were also impressed with meeting Mandy and hearing about her
accomplishments as not only a trainer but also as a driver
participating in the Ohio Ladies Pace competition.
Myles Linderman, Associate Judge at Miami Valley and Scioto Downs and
Assistant Race Secretary at Dayton Raceway set up a station in the
Speed Office and discussed the rules and regulations of what makes a
horse eligible for each race and what can also disqualify them.
Myles also explained how a draw is done to determine what post position
a horse receives. Myles had the opportunity to answer some very
well thought out questions from some curious students.
The tour ended with the students all posing on the track with a horse
being trained by Ryan Miller that they had been watching. The
picture was taken with a win blanket donated by the Darke County
Harness Horseman showing Wilmington College “Go Quakers”. This
blanket will be presented to a winning horse at the Darke Co. Fair the
night of the Gene Riegle Memorial. Students from Wilmington
College are invited back that night to help present the blanket and
pose for the win photo which will be taken by Conrad Photos.
Refreshments were donated by the Ladies Auxiliary.
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