from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Results are in from the balloting, which was conducted from April 4 through April 24, for the selection of the United States’ submissions to the 2017 International Media Awards.

Only one entry from each country is accepted for consideration in each of the nine media categories by Standardbred Canada (or a committee appointed by them) that will select three finalists in each category. The finalists will be submitted to International Trotting Association members who will vote for the winners online. The balloting period is from July 24 through Aug. 15 and the winners will be announced at the World Trotting Conference in Charlottetown, PEI, Canada.

U.S. entries were submitted to the USTA from March 10-31 and the winners selected through online voting from April 4-24.

Following are the winners for the U.S. entries into the 2017 International Media Awards:

Best News Article: Suspicious Texts Cause Jug Controversy; Pena Presence Leads to Jugette Scratch, by Gordon Waterstone. (only entry in category).

Best Magazine Article: Breana Carsey: You Gotta Have Faith, by Steve Montemarano for Hoof Beats (60% of votes)

Best Photograph: “Hey There!” by Mark Hall for Hoof Beats (33% of votes)

Best Advertisement: “Ohio Sires Stakes Championship” by Kimberly Rinker, for Ohio Sires Stakes (24% of votes)

Best Video or Film Advertisement: “Roosevelt Raceway Documentary Trailer,” submitted by Freddie Hudson and Trade Martin (64% of votes)

Best Television Program or Documentary: Wiggle It Jiggleit: The People’s Horse, submitted by Robert Faust and Heather Vitale (50% of votes)

Best Poster: Wiggle It Jiggleit, created by Jason Turner for Hoof Beats (40% of votes)

Best Website: www.ustrotting.com (69% of votes)

Best Social Media: The Harness Racing Fan Zone (62% of votes)