by Regina Mayhugh, communications director, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association

Columbus, OH — The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association held its annual membership meetings and awards banquet this past Saturday (Jan. 27) at the Columbus Marriott Northwest in Dublin, Ohio.

The 2015 OHHA Board members retained or elected include: Breeders Section, Senena Esty, Betty Shaw and Brad Wallace. Owners Section, John Ryan Melsheimer in District 2, Dayle Roof in District 5 and Emily Hay in District 8. Trainer/Driver representatives are Virgil Morgan Jr., Rick Martindale and Mark Winters Sr. Steve Bateson was added as Vice President and Kevin Greenfield was elected as the new OHHA President replacing outgoing President Steve McCoy.

More than 300 members and guests attended the banquet including, honorable Representatives Robert Hackett (R-London) and Margaret Ann Ruhl (R-Mount Vernon), Ohio State Racing Commission Chairman Robert Schmitz, as well as several representatives from other Ohio agricultural and equine organizations.

Awards for the evening included:

Stevens Award-Dean Davis
Richard S. Brandt “Extra Effort Award”-Mercer County Harness Horsemen’s Association
Special Recognition Awards-Joyce McClelland; Bob, Billie, Tom and Charlie Wingfield; Bruce Trogdon; Leonard Buckner; and Larry Richard
Special Scioto Downs Award-Larry Richard
Signature Series Pacer Award-Draft Bunny, Owner, Dale Decker
Signature Series Trotter Award-Can’t Lose, Owner, Thomas Stubbs
2014 H.M. Parshall Memorial Two-Year-Old Trotter-Calvinedna, Owners, Lorna Roach and William Dillon
2014 H.M. Parshall Memorial Two-Year-Old Pacer-Allstar Energy, Owners, Constance Polhamus and Mike Polhamus
Peter Haughton Award for up and coming young driver-Hunter Myers
Winner’ Circle Award for contributions to Ohio racing over the past year-Brian Brown Stable
Rambling Willie Award for contributions to Ohio racing over the past two decades-Dr. Robert Schwartz
Ohio Standardbred Hall of Fame-Buck I St Pat
Immortal Hall of Fame-George Aber
Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame-Jerry Knappenberger
Jerry Kaltenbach Memorial Award-Chris Page
2014 Ohio Horse of the Year-Neely’s Messenger, Owners, Dale Sweet and Julie Ann Sweet. Bred by Albert Yoder

Congratulations to all of the winners.

More details and photos can be found at www.ohha.com.