by Gabe Wand, for USTA District 4B

Madison, WI — USTA District 4B, representing Minnesota and Wisconsin, met Saturday (Jan. 24) at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Madison, Wis.

The day started with Dr. Chelsea Luedke, from the Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic, presenting a racehorse injury prevention and treatment seminar.

After a lunch break, the Wisconsin Harness Horse Association held its 2014 annual meeting. Directors Jeanne Marquis, Patty Strand and Sara Weaver were re-elected to three year terms. Topics such as representation at the Midwest Horse Fair, marketing and fundraising initiatives for the 2015 racing season, state of the treasury and discussion of past and future annual meetings were discussed.

Marilyn Therrian photo

Robert and Carol Yohn were inducted into the Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame. Mr. Yohn accepted on behalf of himself and Carol.

A lengthy race secretary forum detailed the 2015 racing season, including hearing that the 2015 race schedule was losing two dates of fair racing, with a possible third date. Lively discussion followed, with members voicing concern over the shortened racing season, how to partner with surrounding states and further marketing initiatives to attract fans and horsemen to race at the fairs.

The USTA District 4B meeting was then held, with the Wisconsin Harness Racing’s newest Hall of Fame member, Robert Yohn, and newly elected USTA District 4 Chairman, Gabe Wand, presiding.

Jessica Schroeder from the USTA discussed the milestones of the USTA during the past year, including the moving of offices, an update on Online Entry and the social media initiative, as well as projects for the upcoming year, including the 2015 Matching Funds Grant program, getting information from the previously printed Sires & Dams online and the upcoming World Driving Championship/World Trotting Conference.

USTA President Phil Langley addressed the crowd, telling stories of when he used to travel the Wisconsin fairs as well as other news from the USTA, including the funding of medication testing.

Discussion of the rule change proposals resulted in the following:

• Passing proposals #9 and #10
• Rejecting proposals #1, #2, #4, and #7
• Tabling the Racing Under Saddles proposals (#3, #5, #6, #8)

Following a cocktail hour, the WHHA membership and guests sat down for a buffet dinner. The awards presentations for the 2014 racing season divisional winners included:

• Pacer of the Year – Super Son Of Sandy (owned by Robert Larkey, trained by Scott Douglas and driven by Gabe Wand)
• Trotter of the Year – Chester B (owned by Peter Casagranda, trained and driven by Chris Frenzel)
• Driver of the Year – Gabe Wand
• Service Awards – TJ Barnes, Sally and Russ Barrington, Richland County Horsemen and Dave and Tammy Hofacker
• Lifetime Appreciation Award – Koch/Wesenick Family
• James Laird Memorial Award for Excellence – John DeLong
• Wisconsin Horseperson of the Year – Scott Douglas
• Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame – Bob and Carol Yohn and One Bad Hombre

For more information about Wisconsin harness racing, visit the WHHA website or Facebook page. To view a video with highlights of the 2014 racing season and award winners, visit this Vimeo page. The WHHA would like to thank Nichole Glynn for putting together the video, as well as the Harness Racing Fan Zone for allowing the use of audio.