from Harness Horsemen International

Deerfield Beach, FL — Harness Horsemen International’s annual meetings continued March 8 and 9 at the Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa, Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Keynote speaker Dr. Mary Robinson, of the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, Chester, Pa., enlightened members in attendance on Tuesday (March 8) about medication issues facing horsemen, followed by Mike Tanner, USTA Executive Vice President, commenting on the state of the industry.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

PHHA’s retiring Executive Director Ron Battoni (right) accepts his award from HHI President Tom Luchento.

HHI association members then continued discussions on issues pertaining to insurance, finance, legal, convention and scholarship.

Wednesday morning’s (March 9) general session featured speaker Joe Pennacchio, President & Executive Director of Florida’s SBOA, discussing the issue of “de-coupling” that has plagued the Sunshine State’s harness horsemen for the past

Wednesday’s annual awards luncheon honors USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner, PHHA’s retiring Executive Director Ron Battoni and Harness Racing Communications’ Ken Weingartner with HHI’s top awards.

The HHI annual meetings will conclude with a farewell breakfast on Thursday (March 10).

HHI is comprised of horsemen’s associations from the United States and Canada who collectively represent the agriculture based industry of harness racing in North America. HHI’s governing body consists of representatives from its member associations.