from the Harness Horse Youth Foundation

Westfield, IN — For the first time since 2005, the Harness Horse Youth Foundation has named two winners of its Service to Youth Award, the highest accolade the organization offers. The “horse-racing professor,” Chris Wittstruck was honored for his generosity to the Foundation, while former President and Trustee Callie Davies-Gooch was selected for her long-term commitment to HHYF.

HHYF photo

Callie Davies-Gooch

In announcing the award, HHYF Executive Director Ellen Taylor said, “Callie’s efforts on behalf of HHYF were tireless and creative. She never lacked the willingness to try new ideas or the determination to get them done. When HTA’s Stan Bergstein approached HHYF about developing the curriculum for the Harness Racing Youth League, Callie ensured that every aspect of the program was comprehensively implemented. She even traveled on the first road trip to northern Indiana and personally assisted with the original horse purchases including our beloved Sweet Karen.”

“Chris simply took the Board’s collective breath away with his kindness. His bigheartedness is already allowing HHYF to seriously think about ways to make improvements in several areas” explained Ellen Taylor. A full profile of Chris Wittstruck will be released when he is presented with his award at the HHYF 40th anniversary celebration on June 5, 2016 at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y.

HHYF photo

Chris Wittstruck

Callie Davies-Gooch served as Trustee for nearly 25 years and HHYF President for 14 years. She was the driving force behind many groundbreaking HHYF projects including the creation and distribution of 50,000 harness racing career guides to high school guidance counselors across North America. Not only did she secure the mailing lists and organize the entire process, she provided valuable input as the guide was compiled.

The Foundation’s end-of-summer celebration of its campers at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day has always been one of Callie’s favorite activities. Each year, she made sure that the volunteer professional drivers were ready and other logistics under control.

Callie, who will receive her award at the Dan Patch Awards Dinner in Ft. Lauderdale on March 6, remarked, “It is a great honor to have been selected along with my fellow award winner, Chris Wittstruck. I can only hope that the 23 years of service to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, has helped to foster a new generation of horse lovers and future owners, trainers, drivers, caretakers and fans. The future of harness racing is youth.”