Celina, OH — Saturday night’s (Feb. 9) annual Horsemen’s Association awards banquet was the 48th consecutive one held so you know the fine folks in Mercer County are doing something right. This year’s get together was at the Eagle Club located on the shores of the scenic (and frozen) Grand Lake, Ohio’s largest man-made reservoir, and it was a well-attended event.

As association stalwarts Janice Seacrest and the other ladies greeted the arrivals, a huge assortment of auction items were inspected by the crowd as they browsed through the offerings.

MCHHA President Derek Menchofer welcomed everyone and presented the divisional awards to begin the evening.

2018’s Aged Pacer trophy went to Phil Belanger & Jeff Koesters’ Snowballs Romeo, who also took the three-year-old pacing colt division with their Medolands Brutus (Art Official-Jodie Lynne Tup); the Aged Trotter was won by Larry Farley’s Winbak Charles M, trained by Steve Boroff and they also earned three-year-old trotter of the year with Scnicklefritz (Dontyouforgetit-The Power Of Magic).

When owner/trainer Ron Wulber of Versailles, Ohio accepted the honors for his two-year-old filly Get It Lena (Dontyouforgetit-Photo Queen) he offered his thanks and then gave thanks for the evening’s bounties as the hearty and tasty buffet began.

After the meal was through the raffle, the drawings and the auction was started as an abundance of home-baked treats, horse equipment, and supplies were offered up for bid. There were many good items such as a jog cart from Superior Sulky, racing wheels, fine artwork by Annie and Ray Lufkin, dinner packages from Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Hardrock Rocksino Northfield Park, and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway as well as four quality boxes of chocolate-covered strawberries that the kids gobbled up like candy. The action was so fast and furious it took three auctioneers and five spotters to complete the event and when it was all over, the only things that remained were the good memories of a very enjoyable night.

With warm wishes for a safe trip and a reminder that Mercer County’s 49th matinee will be held at the Celina Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon on May 11th, a contented and happy crowd was on their way.