from the Harness Horse Youth Foundation

Westfield, IN — Nineteen children between the ages of 10 and 14 got a hands-on lesson in horsemanship at Tuesday’s (July 2) Harness Horse Youth Foundation camp at Scioto Downs.

HHYF summer programs instructors Mollie Fenwick and Kathi Auer introduced the campers to barn safety, grooming techniques and harnessing equipment. The campers then harnessed and unharnessed the HHYF Trottingbreds CD’s Miss M, Little Hick Town and Sweet Karen, before enjoying a lunch sponsored by the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.

HHYF photo

Myles Linderman assists an HHYF camper while jogging Trottingbred Sweet Karen.

After lunch, the group, along with facilitator Jessica Schroeder of the United States Trotting Association, harnessed their horses and hit the racetrack, which each camper jogging one lap of the five-eighths-mile oval, assisted by professional horsemen.

It was a reunion of sorts for one of the assisting adults. Myles Linderman, formerly an assistant trainer for the Burke Stable and now a Scioto Downs press box employee, assisted campers with the HHYF Facebook diva, Sweet Karen. In 2001, Linderman attended an HHYF camp at Hoosier Park and jogged the mare for the first time. Twelve years later, he again sat behind the trotter, now 18.

“Yep, I specifically asked for Karen,” Linderman explained. “I jogged her at camp when I was a kid and I really enjoyed being able to help out today. These camps are a great opportunity for the kids.”