Ken Weingartner

Harrisburg, PA — Andrey Lyashchuk knows little about horses, but nonetheless was active at the Standardbred Horse Sale. A native of Belarus who now lives in York, Pa., Lyashchuk was busy assisting a group of Russian horsemen buying yearlings and broodmares.

“I try to help as much as possible, from the time they arrive until they receive their horse over there,” said Lyashchuk, who has lived in Pennsylvania for 14 years and owns a construction company that does commercial and residential development. “I take care of all the detail work and arrangements, so they can be comfortable with what they’re doing.”

Last year was Lyashchuk’s first at the sale, where he assisted eight buyers. This year, he worked with 11 buyers, all from Moscow. The group purchased eight yearlings and was looking for a couple broodmares on Friday.

USTA photo

Andrey Lyashchuk

“My father’s friend recommended me,” Lyashchuk said. “They brought a group of people and needed someone who could do this type of work. I liked it.”

Lyashchuk’s group was active in buying trotters.

“They race in Moscow,” he said. “It’s growing. This is a future step they are interested in. They are interested in fillies; that’s a new bloodline. When their stakes get higher, they want to prepare for the next step.”

In the future, Lyashchuk himself might become active as an owner.

“I know nothing about the horses,” Lyashchuk said. “All I’m doing is the paperwork. But I’m thinking about (owning a horse). Maybe not the whole horse, but a percent. I think it would be fun.”