by Jessica Schroeder, assistant fair liaison, the U.S. Trotting Association

Columbus, OH — As part of the American Youth Horse Council Annual Symposium last weekend, the Kentucky Equine Youth Festival was organized so thousands of people could learn about the equine industry and the World Equestrian Games to be held in October.

Nicola Abrams photo

A group of children learned more about horses at the Kentucky Equine Youth Festival.

More than 5,500 students, from elementary to high school, came to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington to watch demonstrations, listen to seminars and visit educational and breed association booths.

The USTA set up a harness racing booth in conjunction with the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. The biggest hit was “Wheel of Racing” where students read a clue and had to guess the equine term. Harness hero cards and Standardbred Star activity books were given away in the hundreds; replica driver colors were on hand for kids to try on and a race bike to sit in.

Thank you to Ellen Taylor of HHYF, Julie Sorrell of The Red Mile and Joe Nallia of Walnut Hall Stock Farm for assisting with booth decorations.

The USTA is working in conjunction with many horsemen’s associations to set up booths like this one across the country. Look for Standardbred Harness Racing booths at:

• Delaware Horse Expo (March 27)
• Equine Affaire – Ohio (April 8-11)
• Iowa Horse Expo (April 9-11)
• Midwest Horse Fair – Wisconsin (April 16-18)
• Minnesota Horse Expo (April 23-25)

For more information on setting up your own informational booth, contact Jessica Schroeder at 877.800.8782, ext. 3212, or e-mail jessica.schroeder@ustrotting.com.