by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — To help spread positive awareness of our sport, the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association has donated a copy of the book Standardbred Old Friends to 132 schools in 52 counties across Pennsylvania.

The book portrays, in the photos of renowned equine photographer Barbara Livingston and the words of Ellen Harvey, the lives of 43 senior Standardbreds of distinction. The subjects are primarily Hall of Fame racehorses and broodmares, now in the twilight of their lives and aging with dignity from Sweden to southern California and Maine to Florida.

“There is a lot of very good news in harness racing, and we want to do whatever we can to bring attention to that news. This book highlights the lifelong responsible care and attention given by so many owners throughout our sport, whether the horse is a financial windfall or not,” said Sam Beegle, president of the PHHA. “Young people in high schools and colleges throughout Pennsylvania are our future fans and in some cases, our horsemen and women.”

The PHHA is a trade group whose member tracks include Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack and Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

The books were donated to high school libraries and colleges with an equine program in areas where there is a fair meet, a pari-mutuel track or breeding farm.

For information about Standardbred Old Friends, view this video, order it from www.harnessmuseum.com, 845.294.6330 or e-mail oldfriendsbook@hotmail.com.