by Wendy Ireland, executive director, MHHA

Augusta, ME — Maine horsemen and women turned out for the annual dinner and awards gala of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association at the Calumet Club in Augusta on Saturday (Jan. 21).

Derek Davis photo

Maxine Ball (right) and Bo Sowers (left) accept the Horse of the Year award from MHHA president Dr. Timothy Powers.

In the afternoon and before the evening festivities, the annual meeting of the MHHA and the USTA District 9 meetings were held. With two positions open on the MHHA board, the membership elected David Crochere and Robert Marston to one year terms.

At the conclusion of the meeting, nominations were held for the officers on the board. All of the officers were re-elected for a one year term: Dr. Timothy Powers, President; Wallace Watson, Vice-President; Amy Taggart, Secretary; and Patricia Varnum, Treasurer.

The Board of Directors handed out 14 scholarships totaling $7,500 to deserving students continuing on with their secondary education.

The highlight of the evening was acknowledging the top individuals and horses in Maine in 2011. Some of the individuals who were honored with top awards included:

• MHHA Trainer of the Year, Steven Vafiades
• Driver of the Year, Kevin Switzer, Jr.
• Rising Star Award, Dan Deslandes
• Distinguished Service Award, Ernie Lowell

The top horse awards of the evening included:

• Outstanding Pacer, Thunder’s Toy
• Outstanding Trotter, Share Your Dreams
• Claimer of the Year, Texas Shootout
• Outstanding Dash Winner with 15 wins, Misfit Warrior

The most prestigious award of the evening was awarded to Malek Hanover, the 2011 Horse of the Year. Malek Hanover is owned by the Estate of Allison Derrah of Arnprior, Ontario, and trained by Philip “Bo” Sowers.

Throughout the 2011 racing season, Malek Hanover ruled the winners over class all over the state. He won the Windsor Fair Invitational in the mud on Labor Day, the Mountain Skipper Invitational at the Fryeburg Fair, and the Paul Bunyan Classic at Bangor Raceway in a time of 1:55.2.

He had a seasonal best mark of 1:53.3 taken at Scarborough Downs on June 4, winning by over 11 lengths. This 8-year-old gelding pacer by Western Hanover ended the racing season with 14 wins and earnings of more than $70,000.