from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — West Virginia horseman Kelly Staten, 71, died July 23, 2017, after a brief illness.

Mr. Staten, who learned to work with plow horses as a young child, got his first glimpse of harness racing after sneaking off to the West Virginia State Fair when he was just 8 years old.

Though he served in the U.S. Army and worked for many years as a machinist, Mr. Staten bought his first racehorse in 1969. He went on to spend much of his life in the horse business, training and driving his own Standardbreds as well as those for outside owners.

Mr. Staten, who raced in Ohio and Pennsylvania as well as on the East Coast, was known for his success with problem horses. Horses that went on to become family favorites included Grace Of Hearts, Samsliptoneldorado and Satin Maple.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that anyone interested make a donation to a horse rescue of their choice in Mr. Staten’s name.