by Jason Turner, the U.S. Trotting Association

Columbus, OH — The Marie Hill Youth Writing Contest is back and we want to hear from you! All USTA Youth Members are eligible to enter, and cash prizes will be awarded to first- through third-place winners in each age group — 12 and under and 13-16.

We’re looking for the best essays, fiction and nonfiction stories about Standardbreds, and submitting is easy. To participate in the 2012 Marie Hill Youth Writing Contest send your name, age, grade, mailing address, e-mail address (if applicable) and phone number to Youth Beats editor Jason Turner at 750 Michigan Ave., Columbus, OH 43215, or e-mail jason.turner@ustrotting.com. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Entries will be judged on content, accurate industry references, spelling and grammar. Cash prizes will be awarded to all winners and the entrant with the highest overall score will have their story featured in the December issue of Youth Beats magazine. Youth members who have previously won the contest on more than one occasion are not eligible.

The deadline to submit your entry is Monday, Aug. 20. But don’t wait too long, because we’re looking forward to reading your stories!