by Jennifer Starr, for The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA — Driver Simon Allard visited Building Blocks Learning Center, 1082 Highway 315, Plains, Pa., on Friday morning (May 15) for their Career Day.

Curtis Salonick photo

Shown are the children ages 3-5, and seated on the horse is Allard’s daughter, Amelia.

One of the leading drivers at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, and wearing his colors, Allard spent the morning explaining all about harness racing, complete with all equipment; bales of hay and straw; feed; and even a real live horse!

When the horse trailer with Priceless Edition pulled up, the children cheered in delight. One by one, each age group were led out to listen to Allard describe what he does “for a living” and to meet the very friendly horse — and even feed him carrots and apples!

Allard even showed them a race on his laptop so they could see how he drives during a race.

Children were even treated to a seat on his sulky and Allard led them around to see what it felt like during a race.