by Kimberly Rinker, for Harness Horsemen International

Burlington, NJ — Harness Horsemen International will hold their annual meetings and awards luncheon beginning Sunday (March 2) at the Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa, Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Featured speakers include Jay Hickey, president of the American Horse Council; Phil Langley, president of the United States Trotting Association; and T.C. Lane, the USTA’s director of registry & member services.

Registration starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a welcome reception at 5:30 p.m., with general sessions to begin daily on March 3, 4 and 5. In addition, HHI committees will meet on Tuesday (March 4) to discuss pertinent industry issues and concerns.

As well, harness racing’s John Brennan, Don Marean and Robert Schmitz will be feted with HHI’s most prestigious awards for 2013 at the HHI awards luncheon on March 5. Brennan, a New Jersey-based writer, is the 2013 Clyde Hirt Media Award winner; Marean, a longtime Maine breeder, is the 2013 HHI Appreciation Award winner; while Schmitz, chairman of the Ohio State Racing Commission, is being honored as HHI’s 2013 Man of the Year.

The HHI annual meetings will conclude with a farewell breakfast on Thursday (March 6).

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.