Madison, WI — Orval Bronkhorst’s history in Wisconsin harness dates back more than sixty years.  As a teenager in the late ‘50’s he helped his father train horses at the old Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, WI.  Orv’s father, Elmer Bronkhorst, was a livestock dealer as well as a horseman.  Bronkhorst recalls how he would use his quarter horse to prompt his dad’s horses at the end of a work mile from the quarter pole to the wire. Soon Orval jumped from the saddle to the jog cart and eventually to a sulky.  He made his first official drive in 1961 at the Fon du Lac County Fairgrounds.

Good luck finding a pacer in his barn in Brandon, WI. His emphasis is on the diagonally gaited Standardbred.   He loves the challenge of developing a trotting colt rather than a sidewinder.  When asked about his success in preparing trotters he said, “I read a lot.”  It is certain that he also observed and listened to the old-timers of his day.  Anyone who trains trotters will admit that having patience is very important. 

Usually, every fall Bronkhorst makes a trip to the Illinois Standardbred Sale and comes home with a new trotting prospect.  His stable is a one-man operation.  Within a week or two his yearling is hooked and jogging on his farm track in Brandon, WI.  He also does his own shoeing.  Orval digs through his collection of old shoes looking for the shoe that will help his colt trot clean.  Because his babies train alone, they don’t experience company, let alone competition until their first start.  They are always well behaved; they might be green but it doesn’t show. 

After Trot Out lifetime earnings of $159,000 L.F. Grand Falls t. 1:55.2, Jet Flow, t. 1:57.  Etc.

Bronkhorst never works on Sunday.  “Sunday is the day we go to church.”   It is pretty obvious where his priorities lie.  If you know Orval Bronkhorst, you know what high character looks like. 

Some horsemen (women) were asked to share their thoughts about Bronkhorst upon learning of his nomination for the Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame. Jeanne Marquis shared, “….I have lots of memories that include Orval as he raced many years all over the Wisconsin Fairs and then Illinois.”  “He loves trotters and all that goes into making a good one.” “They were hung up to learn to trot, good mannered, good gaited, well-conditioned.”  “He’s a gentleman on and off the racetrack.”

Jesse “Jay” DeLong replied, “Orval Bronkhorst and his wife Pat are the most genuine couple you will ever meet.   A class act within every aspect of the horse business.   I have watched Orval through the years how he’s conditioned his trotters and how he presents them.  My dad (William) always said they were true horsemen with trotters.”

Dan Hueskinveld, N.I.C.A. Vice President.  Morrison, Ill said, “Orval always brought one or two well mannered, well-conditioned and very competitive trotters. We always look forward to him and Pat coming to race.   He’s the only horseman I know who holds his beliefs and doesn’t race Sunday despite it no doubt costs him winning races.”

Congratulations Orval Bronkhorst on your well-deserved induction into the Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame.