Lake Worth, FL — Although the United States Harness Driver’s Club (USHDC) is just beginning to race back in action after a summer hiatus, it hasn’t stopped them from adding to their vast contributions to worthy causes far and wide totaling over $320,000 since its inception.
UDHDC President Dein Spriggs has announced that the club has taken a Platinum Sponsorship in the upcoming National Standardbred Horse Show, which will be held Sept. 20-22 at The Horse Park of New Jersey, located in Allentown.
About the USHDC participation with a Platinum Sponsorship, Spriggs said, “This is one of the greatest events honoring and showcasing our great Standardbred breed and it truly is an honor to be involved. It’s just an amazing showcase and the versatility of our breed is on full display in the many different classes of competition.”
Helene Gregory is the Sponsorship Chairperson and reminisced about how she became involved with the show over 20 years ago.
“The first time I saw this show,” she said, “a horse by the name of Red Bow Tie was competing. He was a world champion that was before his time and, as you can imagine, I was hooked right then and there.”
Red Bow Tie had a mark of 1:48.2 before the turn of the new century on his way to lifetime earnings of $2,673,920.
Helene continued, “I really got involved with one of my horses, Taurmade. He was a really great looking horse that had ‘million dollar’ looks, but he was slower than a snail, hardly could trot in 2:11.
“But he was a champion in the show ring and won all kinds of awards…a champion in my eyes and heart.”
This year is the 30th anniversary of the National Standardbred Horse Show and features well over 300 different categories of competition over the three day extravaganza, including Western Dressage, Obstacle Driving, Open Roadster, Pleasure Driving Reinsmanship, Walk/Trot Flag Race, Puddle Jumper and Showmanship and, to further prove the versatility and agility of the Standardbred breed, a barrel race.
There are four separate age groupings ranging from the 13-18 age group to those age 50 and over.
USHDC Treasurer Tom Eichas explained, “Our USHDC is focusing on the all-important youth participation to bolster the future of the Standardbred breed and the importance of our youth to be involved.
“This is exactly why the USHDC is so proud to take a Platinum Sponsorship one stride further and pay for all entry fees in our sponsored events in a continuing effort supporting the Standardbred breed in all stages of their lives and careers.”