by Stacey Ruddick, Hoosier Hoofprints
Kenneth D. “Dave” Stohler, of Markleville, Ind., passed away on Thursday (Nov. 17) after battling medical issues.
Following his father, Leo, and father-in-law, Sam Pate, into the Standardbred industry, Stohler became a member of the United States Trotting Association in 1979. It was a trip to the county fair in Connersville, where he and his brother became horse owners, as they purchased Range Pat and Red Wing Ranger from veteran horseman Ralph Wilfong.
While working full time at his regular job, Stohler trained and raced horses on the side. Training horses also led to him and his family deciding to breed some of their own stock. The Stohlers saw something special in the third horse they purchased, who also became their foundation mare, Hasty Grand Slam. Although from a humble pedigree and performance on the track, she produced the winners of $1,420,905.
One of the mare’s early foals was former world record holder Smartdecision (p,1:53.3; $216,475). However, her best performer was the mare Extreme Velocity, referred to by the Stohler’s as “EV”, who won the 1997 Breeders Crown for older pacing mares in 1:50.3 at the Meadowlands with Hall of Fame Driver, John Campbell, aboard. Over the course of her racing career, Extreme Velocity made 79 starts, resulting in 40 wins, 10 seconds, and 14 thirds, with lifetime earnings totaling $856,070.
Extreme Velocity also proved to be a successful broodmare for the Stohler family, with her offspring earning $1,204,631 to date. Her foals include; Continual Velocity p, 3,1:54; 4,1:50.2f ($558,980) and the ill-fated Ultimate Velocity p, 3,1:53; 4,1:51.1 ($254,373).
For Stohler, the best thing about the Standardbred industry was it is so family oriented. He was able to share his passion for harness racing with his family and friends. His son, Trent, is an active trainer based in Indiana, who has driven the winners of $6,353,290 and trained the winners of $7,439,202.
Helping at his son’s training center and watching his horses compete on the racetrack filled Stohler’s life with much joy and satisfaction, as he was proud of his achievements.
To read the full obituary please click this link.
The family would like to give a special “thank you” to the friends and relatives helping care for Stohler during this difficult time.
Visitation will be held Monday (Nov. 21) at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, 200 West 53rd St., Anderson, Ind.
Services will be Tuesday, November 22, 2016, 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Ned Clark officiating.
Burial will take place in Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, Ind.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Harness Horse Youth Foundation, 16575 Carey Road, Westfield, Ind. 46074, or New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, 3293 Wright Road, Laura, Ohio, 45337.