Jimmy Takter speaks to USTA Driving School students

by Chris Tully, for the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame

Goshen, NY — Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Takter gave the keynote speech at Wednesday’s (May 13) opening session of the U.S. Trotting Association’s 17th annual Driving School.

Takter’s talk followed dinner at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. He discussed his roots in the sport, training philosophies, and reflected upon his memorable 2014 campaign, which included driving Trixton to victory in the Hambletonian Stakes and seeing Shake It Cerry named Trotter of the Year.

A three minute promo with excerpts from the speech can be found on the Museum’s YouTube channel by following this link.

“Jimmy Takter was a very gracious and accommodating speaker. He offered the USTA Driving School students a heart-felt and humble inside look into the life of a superstar horse trainer. It’s hard to imagine getting any greater inside access to success,” noted Janet Terhune, the Museum’s director, who has several staff members participating in the four-day driving school program.

The Driving School has attracted 24 participants, from 12 states plus the Canadian province of Quebec, for four days of hands-on activity at the Mark Ford Training Center as well as classroom presentations at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame.

Participants have the opportunity to take the written portions of the trainer’s and driver’s exams at the conclusion of the program.

The entire 45-minute keynote address can be found at this link.

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