by Jessica Schroeder, USTA Outreach & Membership Enrichment Coordinator

Columbus, OH — The USTA, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program are putting the final details together to showcase the Standardbred at Equine Affaire, April 6-9, at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The USTA/OHHA booth in the Voinovich Breed Pavilion will include a petting stall where people can get up close to some of our fantastic racehorses. Mike Woebkenberg is providing a life-sized fiberglass horse, and people will be able to sit in the racebike and see what it’s like to sit that close behind a horse.

Other features of the booth will include logo wear for sale, information on racing and the use of Standardbreds in other careers after racing.

The OHHA will also be debuting their 2017 Ohio Harness Racing Fantasy League, a no cost endeavor for fans to become more involved in racing by selecting their own team of racehorses to follow for the summer and fall, with prizes at the end of the year.

The New Vocations booth will be right around the corner from the USTA/OHHA booth, providing a block of racehorse information.

HorsePlay Racing Stable and New Vocations are providing horses in the Horse & Farm Exhibit (Gilligan Complex). New Vocations horses will be used for demonstrations that will be held throughout the weekend:

Friday (April 7) – 4:45 p.m. – Equine Fundamentals Forum (Celeste Center)
Saturday (April 8) – 11:15 a.m. – Rod’s Covered Arena Demonstration
Saturday (April 8) – 12:45 p.m. – Equine Fundamentals Forum (Celeste Center)
Saturday (April 8) – 4:45 p.m. – Breed Demonstration (Voinovich Arena)
Sunday (April 9) – 12:30 p.m. – Breed Demonstration (Voinovich Arena)

Brewster, the Eldorado Scioto Downs mascot, will be making appearances at the booth and at some of the demonstrations on Friday and Saturday.

Equine Affaire hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday (April 6), Friday (April 7) and Saturday (April 8); show hours on Sunday (April 9) are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Single day admission tickets are $15 for adults. For more information, visit www.equineaffaire.com.

Since 1996, the Standardbred Equine Program has worked with owners of off-the-track Standardbreds to educate the general public about the many disciplines Standardbreds excel at once they are retired from racing. For more information about the SEP at the USTA, visit LifeAfterRacing.ustrotting.com, or send e-mail inquiries to sep@ustrotting.com.