by Chris Tully, President, U.S. Harness Writers Assn.

Goshen, NY — Ellen Taylor, executive director of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation for the past 25 years, and the 2009 Proximity Award winner, has been selected for recognition by the media organization as its 2015 “Alan Prince USHWA Member of the Year.”

USHWA photo

Ellen Taylor will receive the 2015 Alan Prince USHWA Member of the Year award.

Tara Ellen Taylor, a native of the Indiana heartland of harness racing, was named after the only mare to ever beat Greyhound in a race. She received her first horse, an orphan foal, in 1969 and has participated as an owner, breeder and caretaker ever since.

Focusing exclusively on trotters, foals bred and owned by Taylor have gone on to become Indiana and Illinois award-winning 2-year-old champions.

Undoubtedly, it is Taylor’s lifelong commitment to HHYF that has garnered “Miss Ellen” the widest range of industry accolades and recognition. In addition to the Proximity Award, Taylor has also received the HTA Special Achievement Medal in 2002, USTA President’s Award in 2015, Indiana Standardbred Association Special Achievement Award in 2015, and the Indiana State Fair Grand Circuit Appreciation Award in 2002.

Taylor noted, “I am honored to receive the USHWAn of the year award. I enjoy serving the industry which has given, and continues to give, me so many valuable life lessons and much happiness. USHWA represents individuals working behind the pen, camera, and computer who care about improving harness racing awareness — a worthy goal for each of us.”

An “At-Large” director of the organization for the past 12 years, it is through her dynamic and tireless efforts that the annual silent auction has been such a successful fundraising mechanism for USHWA and its partner HHYF.

Taylor travels thousands of miles each year to ensure that the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, is effectively fostering the next generation of participants and fans.

Prior to being named the executive director of HHYF, Taylor served as the camp coordinator since age 16. The Foundation has been making a difference in young people’s lives since 1976, and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs, and the creation and distribution of educational materials.

Taylor’s award, along with the Dan Patch Horse of the Year and additional human award trophies will be presented on Sunday (March 6) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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.

The deadline for the Dan Patch Awards journal is Wednesday (Feb. 10). To advertise in the souvenir journal, please contact Chris Tully by calling 845.807.7538 or e-mail: tullytrot@yahoo.com.

Savings on hotel rooms can be attained for this event, which is being held at the luxury resort of Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six. A special rate can be reserved by calling 888.421.1442 before Feb. 11 and mentioning code: DAN PATCH or by clicking this link.

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