by Chris Tully, president, USHWA

Goshen, NY — The Dan Patch Horse of the Year trophies will be presented on Sunday (February 22) in Orlando, Fla. Tickets for this gala event, the Dan Patch Awards Banquet–Night of Champions, are now available.

In addition to equine divisional honors, a host of the industry’s biggest and brightest will be feted at the annual awards ceremony, including this year’s inductees to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame (Joe Thomson) and Communicators Hall of Fame (Bob Marks and Kathy Parker).

The U.S. Harness Writers list of human awards also includes the Stan Bergstein Proximity Award winner, Russell Williams, as well as the Owner, Trainer, Driver, and Breeder of the Year, Rising Star, Breakthrough, Good Guy and a host of others, which are listed below and available on the www.USHWA.org website.

Adding to the festivities will be the popular souvenir red carpet photo shoot during the cocktail hour followed by a main course dinner.

Tickets for the Dan Patch Awards Banquet are now available and can be reserved via telephone or e-mail by contacting Judy Davis-Wilson at 302.359.3630 or e-mail zoe8874@aol.com or Steve Wolf at 954.654.3757 or e-mail stevenwolf1956@gmail.com.

Substantial savings on hotel rooms can be obtained for this event, which is being held at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld. A special rate of $115 can be reserved by calling 407.352.1100 before Jan. 25, 2015, and mentioning code: Dan Patch or clicking this link.

The deadline for the Dan Patch Awards journal is Monday (Jan. 26). To advertise in the souvenir journal, please contact Chris Tully by calling 845.807.7538 or e-mail tullytrot@yahoo.com.

All of this information and applicable advertising forms can be accessed via internet link at www.USHWA.org.

Dan Patch Horse Awards – 2014 Champions
Harness Horse of the Year: JK She’salady
Trotter of the Year: Shake It Cerry
Pacer of the Year: Sweet Lou
2-Year-Old Trotting Colt: Pinkman
2-Year-Old Trotting Filly: Mission Brief
2-Year-Old Pacing Colt: Artspeak
2-Year-Old Pacing Filly: JK She’salady
3-Year-Old Trotting Colt: Father Patrick
3-Year-Old Trotting Filly: Shake It Cerry
3-Year-Old Pacing Filly: Color’s A Virgin
3-Year-Old Pacing Colt: McWicked
Trotting Horse: Sebastian K
Trotting Mare: Classic Martine
Pacing Horse: Sweet Lou
Pacing Mares: Anndrovette, Rocklamation (tie)

United States Harness Writers Association – Awards and Honorees
Harness Racing Hall of Fame: Joe Thomson
Communicators Hall of Fame: Bob Marks and Kathy Parker
Stan Bergstein–Proximity Award: Russell Williams

Dan Patch Human Awards 2014
Owner of the Year: 3 Brothers Stables and John Fielding (tie)
Trainer of the Year: Jimmy Takter
Driver of the Year: Yannick Gingras
Breeder of the Year: 3 Brothers Stables
Breakthrough Award: Emily Gaskin
Rising Star: Nancy Johansson
President’s Award: Carl Howard
Good Guy: Jack Darling
USHWAn of the Year: Gordon Waterstone
Unsung Hero: Jack Darling
Amateur Driver of the Year: Robert Krivelin

Other Awards
Trotting Broodmare of the Year: Solveig
Pacing Broodmare of the Year: Presidential Lady
Humanitarian Award: Robbie Siegelman

Grand Circuit Awards
Owner: Burke Racing
Trainer: Ron Burke
Driver: Yannick Gingras

USTA & USHWA Railbird Recognition Awards
Horse Person: Verlin Yoder
Racing Moment: Sebastian K

Hervey & Smallsreed Awards: click here.