by Ken Weingartner, Media relations, Harness Racing Communications

Goshen, NY — Kimberly Gilman’s father told her to put on a show.

She made it a winning one.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Kimberly Gilman accepts the trophy from Driving School Director ‘Chip’ Hastings.

Gilman teamed with professional driver Gareth Dowse to capture Sunday’s U.S. Trotting Association Driving School exhibition race at Historic Track. She defeated five fellow students in the 2:20 time-bar event, in which the competitor nearest 2:20 without being under the time was declared the winner.

“I kept telling myself not to go too fast,” said an elated Gilman, who is from Exeter, New Hampshire. “At the top of the stretch, it was all I could do (not to urge the horse on). I just held right onto her and had a nice, easy finish. We were keeping track of the time together. I felt like I was going fast, but Gareth said I was right on the money.”

Other participants in the race were (with pro driver): John Cimino (Ron Taubert), Jennifer Baranski (Ray Schnittker), Tom Pontone (Chuck Poynton), Adrien Synnott (Ryan Miller) and Derby Bolinger (Benny Eggers).

The exhibition race was the final event of the Driving School. Earlier in the day, students took the written portion of the trainer’s or driver’s exams. A total of 67 students from 15 states and Ontario participated in the 14th annual program, held for the first time in Goshen.

Gilman, whose family has been involved in harness racing for generations, was at the school to get her trainer’s license. She spoke to her father, Edward, on Sunday morning to get advice about the exhibition race.

“He told me to just go out there and give them a show,” Gilman said. “That’s what I tried to do.”

The win might be a good omen for Gilman, who in addition to working with horses is employed by a utilities company. She plans to return to Historic Track in July with two horses in the New York Sire Stakes fair division.

“Hopefully, this is a good sign,” she said.

The driving school is open to anyone 16 years or older. Participants spent three mornings working in the stables of local trainers and three afternoons in general sessions that covered care and conditioning, stable management, driving and racing strategy, amateur driving, veterinary care, and shoeing.

Trainers opening their stables to the students included Schnittker at Goshen Historic Track plus Mark Ford, Scott Blackler, Tyler and Amber Buter, Jean Drolet, Rob and Patty Harmon, and Brandon Simpson at the Mark Ford Training Center.

“I thought it went over real well,” Schnittker said. “I meet a lot of different people and they’re really up on the game and wanted to learn. I think we have a good idea here. They’re here doing it because they want to do it. It’s a good way to help the game grow by doing this.”

Even if she hadn’t won the exhibition race, Gilman would have been thrilled with the program.

“It’s been wonderful,” she said. “The people are great and very knowledgeable. I think they really promote harness racing. Ray is a wonderful guy. I’ve picked up some tidbits here and there from him. I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed meeting new people, new connections, and learning a lot from different trainers and drivers. I wouldn’t mind coming again.”