by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — As a young child, Mary Birkhold regularly attended the harness races at the Darke County Fair in Greenville, Ohio. She probably never imagined someday winning races there.

It happened last year, though. The 45-year-old Birkhold won as a trainer-driver with Mary Gator and as a trainer with Gator Slamsthedoor. The victory with Mary Gator was particularly gratifying because it was Birkhold’s first driving triumph.

“It was the perfect win; it was overwhelming,” Birkhold said. “I was ecstatic. I’m embarrassed by my (win) picture. I wasn’t ready and I look awfully giddy. I was so thrilled to get it at the Darke County Fair. It was just perfect.”

Birkhold was a graduate of the 2006 U.S. Trotting Association Driving School, which this year will be held May 14-17 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio. The school is open to anyone 16 years or older. Each participant gets the chance to jog a horse on the famed half-mile oval at the fairgrounds, which is home to the Little Brown Jug, one of harness racing’s Pacing Triple Crown events.

Topics covered in the general sessions include care and conditioning, stable management, driving and racing strategy, amateur driving, veterinary care, and shoeing. Speakers will include Dr. Ian Moore, the trainer and co-owner of Little Brown Jug winner Shadow Play, plus trainers Virgil Morgan Jr., Jim Arledge Jr. and Dan Ater along with drivers Aaron Merriman and Ryan Stahl.

“The quality of the instructors was tremendous,” Birkhold said. “I learned a great deal from them and gained more confidence in my abilities to actually go out in the field and do the work. It gave me the boost I needed and after that I was encouraged to get my driving license.”

Birkhold, who has 11 wins as a trainer to her credit, found a discussion led by top amateur drivers Joe Faraldo and Lon Frocione to be most helpful.

“They were very good speakers and the information they put out was solid,” Birkhold said. “They gave me the biggest boost of confidence to feel like I could go drive. When it came time for me to drive at the fairs, I felt completely ready to do so.”

Birkhold grew up in Plain City, Ohio, but ended up in Florida following a stint as a K-9 handler in the Army. She attended school at the University of Florida — hence the “Gator” name in her horses — and recently retired as a K-9 sergeant in the Gainesville Police Department. She is training 10 horses and returns to Ohio each summer to race at the fairs.

“I consider it a second career. I take it very seriously,” Birkhold said. “A lot of people have helped me out along the way. It started with the school and finding there was no reason not to go out and try to do the thing I wanted to do.”

The cost of the USTA Driving School is $300 and includes most meals, but not lodging. For more information, call the USTA at 877-800-8782, ext. 3281; e-mail Jennifer.daniels@ustrotting.com; or visit the USTA’s Driving School Web site.