by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Williamsport, PA — She hasn’t won a Dan Patch award but to her connections, One Vine Lady is a champion.

Since 2001, the 10-year-old pacer has amassed $30,633 in earnings from 106 starts for the University of Maine, but the mare’s most significant role is as an emissary of the blossoming relationship between the University’s equine program and the Maine harness racing industry.

“All her earnings pay for her training costs and go back into the program,” said Dr. Robert Causey, a veterinarian specializing in equine reproductive research, and an associate professor for the program. “She gives students an opportunity to get involved in the harness racing industry.”

When One Vine Lady’s racing days end, she will return to the University’s J.F. Witter Center to be retrained as a pleasure horse. The Witter Center is a 400-acre working farm where students gain hands-on experience in equine management and reproduction. About 30 students a semester care and retrain 15 retired racehorses.

The program has fairly strict requirements. Donated racehorses must be mares, from 3-10 years of age and sound for riding. All the animals are retrained as riding and/or show animals and then sold. All proceeds are funneled directly back into the program.

University of Maine photo

Dr. Robert Causey is an associate professor for the University of Maine equine program.

“Standardbreds are very athletic, versatile and intelligent,” Causey said. “If they are given a fair shake they can do anything just as well if not better than, a lot of other breeds can do.”

Causey established connections with the local harness racing industry for several reasons: the racing community was a source of quality animals for the program; the promotion of racing and retraining the horses could develop a core for the equine program in a major industry; and all the parties involved benefit from the alliance.

“The horses win because they receive a second chance,” Causey said. “The students win because they get very good animals to work with. It’s good for the horse owning public because it provides them with a source of really good horses and it helps the harness industry because it increases the value of a retired racehorse by creating a market for them as pleasure animals.”

One Vine Lady is not the only link between the program and the racing industry. The Maine Harness Racing Commission trains students on how to harness and paddock horses so they can help trainers on race days. The Harness Commission also schedules performances of the university’s Standardbred drill team at Bangor Raceway and Scarborough Downs.

In Causey’s opinion, the program’s success is based upon its relationship with the local community.

“The UMaine students are very fortunate to have an array of choices as they include horses in their education,” Causey said. “The donation of retired racehorses, the support of the industry leaders and the support of the local equine industry has made this program possible.”

If you are interested in donating a horse or funds to the program, please contact the University of Maine Foundation at www.umainefoundation.org or at (800) 982-8503.