by Ken Weingartner, for the U.S. Harness Writers Assn.

Freehold, NJ — Claus Andersen of the Canadian Sportsman magazine won the double in the 26th edition of the George Smallsreed Awards for excellence in harness racing photography, the U.S. Harness Writers Association announced today.

Andersen was awarded first place in both the feature photo and race photo categories of the competition. Mark Hall of Hoof Beats magazine received honorable mention in both categories.

George Smallsreed Awards feature winner

The contest was sponsored by harness racing executive Jeff Gural.

Andersen was recognized in the feature photo category for his photograph taken through the trees of a race at The Meadows. The photo was part of a feature photo essay by Andersen that appeared in the August 20 edition of Canadian Sportsman.

“The horses and drivers are carefully framed by summer leaves, and the unusual perspective results in a strong graphic appearance,” judge Barbara Livingston said.

Andersen also received first-place honors in the race photo category for his photograph of drivers John Campbell and Jody Jamieson racing side by side at Delaware, Ohio. The photo appeared in the April 16 issue of Canadian Sportsman.

“The drama and action of the sport are highlighted in this photo, showing the drivers leaning in ‘in battle’ as the horses stay straight and true,” Livingston said.

Hall received honorable mention for his feature photo of trainer Steve Elliott with 3-year-old pacer Well Said at the Jug Barn in Delaware, Ohio. He also received honorable mention for his race photo of If I Can Dream winning a heat of the Little Brown Jug. Both photos appeared in the October issue of Hoof Beats.

Smallsreed Awards race photo winner

Livingston is a multiple award-winning photographer, including two Eclipse Awards, with more than three decades experience photographing racing and horses. She is the author of several books and her photos have appeared in publications including People, Newsweek, Gentleman’s Quarterly, Sports Illustrated, Cigar Aficionado, Reader’s Digest, TV Guide and Vanity Fair.

Andersen will be honored for his accomplishments at USHWA’s annual awards dinner, to be held February 28 at Yonkers Raceway in New York. The dinner is in the Good Time Room and tickets are $100 per person. Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner an hour later. For tickets or advertising information, call Dave Little at 212-210-1691 or e-mail ushwajournal@hotmail.com.

Winners in the John Hervey Awards writing categories will be announced Wednesday, followed by the broadcast awards on Thursday.