by Ken Weingartner, Media relations, Harness Racing Communications

Delaware, OH — The 13th annual U.S. Trotting Association Driving School got under way with a welcome dinner Thursday night at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

A total of 45 “students” from 14 different states are attending the school, which runs through Sunday. Ohio led the way with 10 participants, followed by New Jersey with nine and New York with eight. The other states with participants are Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

Mike Tanner presents Richard Nicometi with a USTA bag for being the Driving School participant to travel the greatest distance to the school.

Richard Nicometi, from Rainier, Washington, was recognized for being the student who traveled the farthest distance to attend the school. He is attending the school with his daughter, Kayt Warnars, from Michigan.

Nicometi, who has lived in Washington for 38 years, is familiar with harness racing because he grew up in the Buffalo, New York area. Now, he watches harness racing on satellite television.

“I just wanted to get involved with it, get involved with the horses,” said Nicometi, a retired teamster. “My family has been involved in owning horses. I just want to gain more knowledge. You can always learn more.

“I’m interested in raising the horse. I’m more interested in the breeding than in the racing. You never know how a horse is going to do anyway, but lines do make a difference.”

The USTA Driving School is open to anyone 16 years or older. Each participant gets the chance to jog a horse on the famed half-mile oval at the fairgrounds, 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. At the end of the school, participants can take the written portions of the trainer’s or driver’s exams.

Mike Tanner, the USTA’s executive vice president/CEO, was the keynote speaker Thursday night.

Class resumes Friday morning with a tour of the Delaware County Fairgrounds and history of the Little Brown Jug, presented by Delaware County Fair Manager Phil Terry, before the students break into groups for general sessions.