Columbus, OH — For the first time, the U.S. Trotting Association is conducting an Outrider Clinic at Eldorado Scioto Downs and Virgil Morgan Jr.’s Winner Circle Training Center from Thursday (Aug. 31) through Saturday (Sept. 2).

USTA Social Media Content Manager and On-Air Talent Wendy Ross opened up the Outrider Clinic Thursday morning. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

The inaugural Outrider Clinic is a way for the USTA to contribute to an important need of the harness racing industry that will assist in the training of potential new outriders, who are critical to the safety of the horses and drivers in the sport.

“This is an exciting, new event that will be a valuable asset to harness racing as well as a great opportunity for the students to become involved in our sport,” said USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Tanner in a welcome message to the participants and current outriders who have volunteered to assist with the clinic.

The curriculum for the USTA Outrider Clinic includes classroom instruction, on-track training at Winner Circle and Saturday morning at the track, as well as two nights attending the races at Eldorado Scioto Downs. The clinic will conclude with an awards luncheon Saturday at noon.

The training will be conducted by the USTA Social Media Content Manager and On-Air Talent Wendy Ross, who began her training as an outrider in 2003 at Northfield Park, was the regular outrider at Tioga Downs and The Meadows and has filled in at all three of the current central/southwest Ohio harness tracks. Her career highlights include outriding at the 2010 Breeders Crown, the 2011 and 2012 Hambletonian and the 2016 and 2017 prestigious Elitloppet in Sweden.

Current outriders who have volunteered to assist at the Outrider Clinic are Nadine Habke, Ashley Holliday, Missy Rothfuss, and Neil Stalhiem.

There are nine students, who have a wide range of riding experience, signed up to participate. They are Marie Adams, Carlee Comer, Shania Ehret, Katie Hartman, Jessica Johnson, Bella Knecht, Danielle Legault, Rachel Leonard, and Lexi Sarkine.