by Keith Gisser, project manager, Harness Horse Youth Foundation

Westfield, IN — The 15-year-old trotter Sweet Karen has created her own Facebook page and will be commenting on her travels as part of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation Stable this summer and beyond. Facebook members can “like” the athlete by clicking here.

HHYF photo

Sweet Karen has her own Facebook page.

Karen, whose nicknames include Chubby and Butter Tub, is one of seven Trottingbreds who travel with HHYF Executive Director Ellen Taylor and her staff, teaching youngsters about harness racing.

Trottingbreds were developed in the early 1960s by crossing ponies with Standardbreds. Most are one-half to seven-eighths Standardbreds and are officially recognized as a breed. To qualify for racing, Trottingbreds may not measure more than 51-1/2 inches (shod), or just under 13 hands. They typically race half-mile dashes and are classified by time. Trottingbreds can trot or pace and the HHYF Stable currently numbers five pacers and two trotters.

Sweet Karen was prepared for her HHYF racing campaign by trainer Julie Miller.

The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation has been making a difference in young people’s lives since 1976, and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs, and creation and distribution of educational materials. For more information on opportunities through HHYF, or to support its mission, go to www.hhyf.org.