by Kimberly Rinker, for Harness Horsemen’s International

Chicago, IL — Harness Horsemen International’s annual meeting began Thursday (Dec. 1) with members of horsemen’s associations and organizations convening at the Embassy Suites Resort and Spa in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Registration took place from 2-5 p.m., during which time both the executive and credentials committees met to discuss various issues concerning horsemen.

Friday morning keynote speakers include HHI President Gene Oldford; USTA President Phil Langley and USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner; Jay Hickey of the American Horse Council; and Illinois lobbyist Steve Brubaker.

Bill Whitman and Tony Romano (insurance); Mike Izzo (budget, dues, finance); Gabe Prewitt (scholarship); Sal DiMario (legal); and Ron Battoni (convention), will all give talks during Friday’s afternoon sessions.

Saturday’s general session agenda features Ellen Taylor of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, and elections, association updates, committee reports and new business will all be discussed as well.

HHI’s annual awards banquet begins Saturday at 7 p.m., honoring a quartet of harness racing’s most outstanding personalities for 2011.

Jeff Gural is the recipient of the Dominic Frinzi Person of the Year Award, while Tom Luchento and Gerry Connors are being honored with the HHI Appreciation Awards, and Sam McKee with the Clyde Hirt Media Award.