from the U.S. Harness Writers Association

Harrisburg, PA — Gordon Waterstone, associate editor of the Horseman and Fair World magazine, former president of the United States Harness Writers Association, and two-time winner of a John Hervey Award for excellence in harness journalism, has been selected for recognition by the media organization as its 2014 “Alan Prince USHWA Member of the Year.”

Gordon Waterstone

Waterstone, a Michigander and proud product of Michigan State University, started his harness racing career at Detroit’s Hazel Park in 1979, and spent the better part of two decades working at that track and metro Detroit’s Northville Downs, mostly as publicity director.

In 1998 he had the opportunity to join the Proximity Award-winning Horseman and Fair World, with his time working in Kentucky quickly approaching the amount he posted in his native state. During the Lexington Grand Circuit meet, his “Backstretch With Gordon” column is a must-read for the latest stories behind the star horses and horsemen, where to eat after the races, and the price of gasoline in the area.

Gordon was a member of the officers of USHWA for six years, highlighted by his two years as president (2004-06), during which he made permanent the design of the Dan Patch Awards trophies which mark excellence in the harness sport. As a past president, he has served on the board of directors since the end of his presidential term. He has been president of the Kentucky Chapter since its start-of-the-century renaissance, and has added secretarial duties to his portmanteau the last few years.

But Waterstone earned his USHWAn of the Year award largely through his continuing efforts to serve the writers association on a national level, including giving constructive criticism, at times frequent, to keep the operation running at its finest.

Gordon is currently head of the tabled items committee, and has served on the site location committee, the dinner committee, the breeder/broodmare committee, and the Hall of Fame screening committee.

Waterstone’s Hervey writing awards came in two different categories, features (1999) and news/commentary (2008), making him one of only a few journalists to win a national award in more than one category. He was awarded the Allen J. Finkelson Golden Pen Award by the Harness Publicists Association in 1995 (an organization of which he was president in 1999), and the Clyde Hirt Media Award by Harness Horsemen International in 2002.

Waterstone’s award, along with the Dan Patch Horse of the Year and additional human award trophies, will be presented on Sunday (February 22) in Orlando, 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.

Substantial savings on hotel rooms can be attained for this event, which is being held at the DoubleTree by 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 by 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 www.USHWA.org.