by Keith Gisser, Project Manager, Harness Horse Youth Foundation

Carey, IN — The Harness Horse Youth Foundation kicked off its summer series of equine education programs with a tour for home-schooled students and their parents at Eash Racing Stable in Greenfield, Indiana (Don and Rosie Eash) on May 18. Nearly 40 participants met racehorses, broodmares and foals up close, and were tutored by the Eash’s and HHYF Executive Director Ellen Taylor about harnesses and equipment, equine careers including blacksmithing, and the differences between trotting and pacing. Participants took home gift bags, made by Mrs. Eash, that were stuffed full of HHYF t-shirts, Youth Beats Magazine, HARNESS HEROES Trading Card AND other equine information.

The next HHYF program takes place at Hoosier Park on Memorial Day, May 30 as part of the Charity Chariots promotion, with Taylor and Project Manager Keith Gisser on hand to educate families on the sport of harness racing with a number of interactive activities and educational materials.

HHYF has several one-day opportunities available this summer for free programs at museums, libraries, racetracks or for youth groups (4H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.) in New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Contact Ellen Taylor at 317-867-5877 or ellen@hhyf.org, or Keith Gisser at 216-374-1392 or keith@hhyf.orgto discuss possible dates and programs.

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.