Teague speaks as USTA Driving School opens
May 16, 2008,by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications
Delaware, OH — George Teague, Jr. was the keynote speaker on Thursday night (May 15) as the 10th annual U.S. Trotting Association Driving School got underway at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, home of the Little Brown Jug.
A total of 50 participants from 16 states enrolled in this year’s school, which is open to anyone 16 or older. “Instructors” for the program include Jim Arledge, Jr., Dan Ater, Sandy Beatty, Aaron Merriman, Virgil Morgan, Jr., and Ryan Stahl.
Each participant gets the chance to jog a horse on the famed half-mile oval at Delaware, which is home to the Little Brown Jug, one of harness racing’s Pacing Triple Crown events. Topics covered in the general sessions include care and conditioning, stable management, driving and racing strategy, amateur driving, veterinary care, and shoeing.
USTA/Mark Hall photo
George Teague, Jr. presents Kyt Eubanks of Amarillo, Texas a gift card for being the participant to make the longest journey to the school.
“I think all of us when given an opportunity should give back to our industry as a whole,” said Teague, who addressed the participants after a welcome reception and dinner. “I’m honored whenever people ask me to do something like this.”
Following a few opening remarks, Teague spent an hour answering questions from the attendees.
“Have a good time and learn your way; develop your own skills,” Teague said. “If you’ve got it, you’ve got it; if you don’t, you don’t. You’ll find out soon enough.
“Try to pick up advice along the way. Don’t be afraid to take advice from people you believe in.”
Trial and error is a key part of the learning process.
“If you’re not making mistakes in this business, you’re not trying hard enough,” Teague said with a laugh. “I’ve never been too scared of that.”
Ohio led the way with the most attendees, 14, followed by New Jersey and New York (five each) and Delaware and Michigan (four apiece). Kyt Eubanks of Amarillo, Texas, got a gift card for being the participant to make the longest journey to the school.