Sacramento, CA — The California Harness Horsemen’s Association along with the California Sires Stakes had their annual banquet and awards ceremony in the clubhouse at Cal Expo this past Saturday (March 23).

Jim Perez, executive director for the CHHA, presided over the meeting along with Donna Newman, executive administrator for the Sires Stakes committee.

Give Me This Dance, with owner/breeder Cheryl Sandbulte, was named Horse of the Year.

Perez talked about such items as an increased new horse incentive for the future 2024-2025 Cal Expo meet, the solid horsemen’s agreement and contract with Watch and Wager through 2030, along with remembering horsemen and horses who had passed away in the past year.

Chris Schick, General Manager for Watch and Wager, also spoke about the current successful meet at Cal Expo and the promising future for Cal Expo horsemen.

Donna Newman also spoke of the Sires Stakes growth of foal crops since the program was revamped through legislation in 2017, along with the new policy of dropping the stallion registration fee starting with the breeding season of 2024. She then went on to present the Sires Stakes award winners.

Worthy Opponent was the 4-year-old horse divisional champion. By Hi Ho Silverheel’s out of Mistup Magic, he had 32 starts, four wins, three seconds and three thirds in 2023 and banked $39,085. He was owned by Wayne Knittel and trained by Bob Johnson.

Divine Art was the 4-year-old mare divisional champion. By Outrageous Art out of Keystone Divine, she had 35 starts, 12 wins, four seconds and four thirds, earning $120,634. She was owned and trained by Gerry Longo.

Longo also picked up the leading driver and trainer award in the Sires Stakes.

Jim Perez then went on to award the CHHA Horse of the Year award to a mare for the first time in 36 years. Give Me This Dance was a 4-year-old mare with 31 starts, 12 wins, seven seconds and one third while bankrolling $130,649. She was owned by Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and trained by Jose Castillo.