from the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association

Augusta, ME — It was a sunshine-filled morning and the smell of summer was in the air. The Hall Stable thought that Wednesday (June 10) would be a great day to return to school.

MHHA photo

Aaron Hall, Not My First Rodeo, Michael McGee and Ryan Hall went ‘back to school’ on Wednesday.

The patriarch of the stable, Craig Hall, was joined by Kirsi Bertolini, as well as Hall’s two sons, Aaron and Ryan. Michael McGee was also on hand at the Helen Thompson Elementary School in West Gardiner, Maine.

The school has 270 students from the grades of kindergarten through fifth grade. The horsemen were not there to study, but to teach. Josie Barrows (girlfriend of Aaron Hall) and first grade teacher Arenda LeBourdais spearheaded this event which became a school-wide presentation.

“It is crucial that the younger generations are educated about horses and what harness racing has to offer,” said Barrows.

Each classroom rotated outside where two other members of the Hall Stable, Not My First Rodeo and Fulla Fire, acted as great ambassadors of the sport. The children attended presentations and question and answer sessions on all aspects of harness racing by drivers Ryan Hall, Aaron Hall and Michael McGee. There were harnessing and equipment demonstrations which culminated into an opportunity for each student to interact with and feed the horses.

“You could see the excitement on all the young faces when the kids had their hands on the horses and were learning about harness racing,” said Aaron Hall.

Winny, the Maine Harness Racing Promotion Board mascot, attended this special occasion to distribute promotional and educational items and take pictures with the students and staff. It was truly a great learning experience for all.

A special thank you to Jessica Schroeder at the USTA and Ellen Taylor from the HHYF for providing age-appropriate material for the students!