by Jeff Zidek, for the MSOA

Washington, PA — The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association, will be hosting a seminar for potential new horse owners on Saturday (Oct. 31) at 2 p.m. at The Meadows.

The event is free to attend, and will be held in Delvin’s Banquet Room on the ground floor of the casino, next to the Racebook.

Several local trainers will make presentations, including Robert Barnard, Brad Buxton, Spencer Kahrig, Marcus Marashian and Tim Twaddle.

Barnard, who currently trains a stable of 10, has been in the business for 20 years. His stable works with all types of horses, from babies to claimers to conditioned horses. He has raced at many tracks across the U.S. and Canada.

“We are a family operation,” says Barnard. “We do a little Standardbred breeding and we are very hands-on with the horses we train. The welfare of our horses is our first priority.”

Brad Buxton, the son of longtime Ohio horseman Dick Buxton, was born on Little Brown Jug day in 1956 and says that he has been in the business since that day. He keeps his stable between eight and 12 horses. When asked what type of horses he prefers, he jokes, “fast ones.”

Kahrig has also been in the business his entire life and has been actively training on his own for 10 years. He currently trains a stable along with Dana Mock. They currently have 11 horses in training, in a wide variety of classes, including both older and younger horses. They are always looking to take on horses of any class level to produce results for both the owner as well as themselves.

“We are some of the younger generation in the business,” says Kahrig, “but we have both worked for and with many experienced trainers and grooms over the years.”

Marashian graduated from the University of Morrisville in 1994 with a degree in equine science and has operated his own stable for more than 20 years. With 12 horses currently in training, he races everything from babies to lower-priced claimers to upper level horses. He has raced in the Adios, Adioo Volo, and the Breeders Crown, and trained the 2012 Mare of the Year at The Meadows, My Drag Queen.

Tim Twaddle has been in the business since 1980 and was once one of the top catch-drivers in Canada. He now trains a stable of 23 at The Meadows, including both younger and older horses in various classes. When asked what type of horses he prefers to train, he replied, “Winners.” Twaddle is very active with the MSOA, serving as a member of the Board of Directors.

The trainers will be present at the seminar on Oct. 31 and then accompany interested owners to the Harrisburg Sale on Nov. 6, where the owners will be given the opportunity to purchase a racehorse with the trainer they have selected.

Walk-ins to the seminar are welcome, but advance signups are encouraged. Visit http://shop.ustrotting.com/MeadowsSeminar.aspx to sign up.