Grove City, OH — The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association offered $12,500 in scholarships divided among five individuals this year.

Kaitlin Hartman received a scholarship for $2,500. Photo courtesy of OHHA.

Kaitlin Hartman of Circleville, Ohio, the daughter of William (Rick) and Tami Hartman, was one of the recipients. She received a scholarship for $2,500.

She is a 2018 graduate of Logan Elm High School and is enrolled at Ohio University in Athens, majoring in Music Education with a choral emphasis.

Hartman’s hobbies growing up included showing horses and goats in 4-H for 11 years. In high school she also participated in marching, prep and concert band as well as symphonic and women’s choir. She has taken vocal and piano lessons to prepare herself for her upcoming career goals as a music teacher. She also held a part time job and took college credit plus courses while attending Logan Elm.

Hartman comes from generations of horsemen on both sides of her family. Her ancestors on her mother’s side were involved in street racing harness horses when it was popular. Her great-grandfather owned and trained from the 1940s until his death in the 1980s. His children all had some involvement in harness racing and Hartman’s grandfather started as a groom and later became an owner. Her mother, Tami, followed the family tradition and added training and driving to her resume.

William (Rick), Hartman’s father, has been training his own stable for 30 years. He grew up in the business when his father started Billy Jack Stable. They developed many top racehorses, including BJ Scoot.

Her parents met through harness racing where they continued their passion for the sport and continue to run Hartman Stable today.

Hartman has always been more interested in riding horses, but over the past couple of years she has been more involved in the stable working as a groom, jogging and learning to train, which has grown her interest in the industry.

What Hartman enjoys best about harness racing is the friendliness within the racing community.

“You can talk to almost anyone at the raceways, even if you do not know them. You can ask questions and they will answer. If you are having trouble with a horse, someone will come help,” shared Hartman.

She is not sure what her future holds in harness racing, but she does enjoy training so she can see herself training a couple.