by Jamie Rucker, USTA Outreach Administrator

Columbus, OH — The 2007 Marie Hill Youth Writing Contest was a great success, as the changes implemented in this year’s competition were changes well accepted. The 2007 contest was the first year it was divided into two age groups; there was a 12 and under age category and a 13–16 age category. There were almost 40 entries combined!

Emily Murphy, 14, of Lambertville, N.J., was named the winner of the 13–16 age category and will receive a $500 grand prize.

Murphy’s fictional story, “Spirit,” will be published in the October issue of Youth Beats. The story is about the foaling and racing of a beautiful roan filly named “Wildfire.” Wildfire’s trainer says she needs “spirit and time to make it to the races,” and spirit she has, as she goes on to win her first lifetime start!

Branden McDaniel, 10, of Utica, Ohio, was named the winner of the 12 and under age group and will receive a $250 purse check.

Branden’s true story is about cleaning stalls, shining his boots and attending horse sales, seeing colts and fillies being born, broke and sold, and realizing he was a part of something very special — harness racing. Branden’s story will also be published in the October issue of Youth Beats.

Second-place honors went to 13-year-old Nicole Fattore of East Windsor, N.J., for her story “Nicole’s Promise” and 12-year-old Cara Schaadt of Monroeville, Ind., for her story “Excellence Continues.” Each second-place winner will receive a $100 purse check. Third-place winners are Narine Wandrey of Auburn Township, Ohio, and 10-year-old Andrew Gerard of Plymouth, Ind.; they will each receive $75.

Six honorable mentions will also be awarded to (in alphabetical order): Ann Carpenter, Arlington, Va.; Danielle Couture, Dowling, Ontario; Shawni DeyErmand, Jefferson, Ohio; Casey Hite, Rincon, Ga.; Kathyrn Johnson-Monfort, Mahomet, Ill.; and Olivia McCormick, Grant Park, Ill. Each honorable mention will receive $25.

All entrants will receive a certificate of participation and a goody bag of horse books and videos to encourage them to keep reading and writing about horses. The contest is sponsored by the USTA, Marie Hill and Christopher and Virginia Schick, Standardbred owners from California. Additionally, the goody bags are sponsored by the Hambletonian Society, Farlink Satellite Services, and the New Jersey Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association.

The youth writing award was created by and named in honor of harness racing author Marie Hill. Hill, a native of New Brunswick, Canada, is the author of books on Adios, Single G, Delvin Miller and Joe O’Brien. The contest was created to encourage young people to write about her beloved sport and its heroes.

Murphy and McDaniel will join USTA Executive Vice-President, Eric Sharbaugh, and Director of Communications, Nicole Kraft, in the winner’s circle at the Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio, on September 20 for their award presentation.