Deerfield Beach, FL — Harness Horsemen International (HHI) held their annual meetings from February 24-27, 2020 at the Embassy Suites Resort & Spa, Deerfield, Beach, Florida, capped off by feting three, well-deserving harness racing honorees.

Those in attendance witnessed informative and productive presentations by the American Horse Council, the United States Trotting Association, and the Standardbred Transition Alliance.  As well, featured speaker Dr. Clara Fenger enlightened attendees with the “Collision of Ultra-Sensitive Drug Testing and the Absolute Insurer Rule, time to bring back common sense.”

HHI committees gave updates on insurance, budget, dues, finance, legal, foundation and scholarship, with additional input on the status of racing in the various HHI jurisdictions.

In addition, HHI’s full body of delegates voted to form an ad hoc committee that will launch HHI’s new initiative “Buck A Horse,” which will generate significant revenue for the aftercare of retired Standardbreds as well as other racing industry projects such as the funding of equine medication research. HHI’s plan is to have their “Buck A Horse” project fully operational later this season. 

In other HHI business, four HHI members were elected to one-year terms as At-Large Directors.  They are: Mike Harant, Pennsylvania HHA; Aaron Hall, Maine HHA; Paul London, New England HHA; and Gabe Prewitt, Kentucky HH 

Finally, during HHI’s annual Awards Luncheon, Tony Somone of the IHHA was honored as the Dominic Frinzi Person of the Year.  Dot Morgan of New Vocations Racehorse Adoption was presented with the HHI Appreciation Award, and The MSOA’s Dawnelle Mock was the recipient of HHI’s Clyde Hirt Media Award.