A pair of Elmira boys were among eight children selected to participate in the annual harness racing youth camp at Grand River Raceway last month.
The camp culminated with a pair of exhibition races, in which two fields of four kids made their harness racing debut, accompanied by experienced drivers in double-seated jog carts.
Family and friends cheered the youth on as they lined their retired racehorses up at the starting gate, then steer their Standardbreds around the half-mile track to the finish line.
The race concluded with with a group photo in the winner’s circle.
The highly-anticipated races were the highlight of the four-day camp, during which the kids spent action-packed days learning about harness racing. The Ontario Harness Horse Association has been running Harness Racing Youth Camps for the last eight years, hosting between eight and 10 free camps each year at various racetracks throughout the province.
Children wanting to attend the camp must write a short essay about why they want to drive a racehorse.
Ten-year-old Jacob Fulcher and Justin Read, 11, of Elmira were selected for the camp, along with six other youth from across southwestern Ontario.
Upon arriving at camp on the first day, the kids were split into four colour-coded teams of two and paired with one of four retired racehorses who are owned or leased by OHHA.
Fulcher and Read were matched with Medway Factor known as "Buddy," a 15-year-old gelding who won 14 races and over $130,000 during his career.
Each day began with an hour of classroom lessons taught by instructor Tasha Lyon, who taught the basics of caring for a racehorse from horse safety and anatomy, to feeding and nutrition. With a background in English riding and 15 years of experience working in Standardbred racing, Tasha shared her passion for all things horsey with the kids and was amazed at how quickly they soaked it up.
“It’s been really neat watching how fast they can progress in the four days,” she remarked, “Especially when you consider that most of them don’t have any horse experience at all coming into it.”
After spending time with Tasha, the kids would visit their horses in the barn and tend to their needs. With the help of Stacey Reinsma, the camp’s groom, the kids learned about all the work it takes to look after racehorses.
“I like watching the kids bond with the horses,” 21-year-old Reinsma said. “You can see the change in some of the kids, even just watching them get to know their horse. They really enjoy it.”
Cleaning out stalls, grooming and feeding were all part of the kid’s responsibilities.
After a lunch break, the horse were harnessed ant taken out on the track for exercise. Working together to tack up their horses, the kids put their new skills to the test as they assembled the many pieces of equipment worn by racehorses. What at first seemed like an intimidating task was soon mastered by the eight eager horse-lovers.
“I came here completely new to harness racing and I didn’t know anything about it. We were the new guys,” said Jacob Fulcher, as he worked with his partner Justin to get Buddy ready. “But now we can get Buddy harnessed up quickly and he’s starting to work together with us.”
With the help of volunteers, the kids each took turns jogging their horses around the racetrack in double-seated jog carts. It was the part of the day that all the kids looked forward to.
When each of the kids had jogged for three laps around the track, totaling one and a half miles, it was time to return to the barn and bathe the horses.
Since Liz Waples became the camp’s co-coordinator four years ago, she has made it part of her mandate to help connect the kids with local trainers after camp is over.
“I hook up the kids that are interested in continuing with trainers so that they have the opportunity to keep working with the horses,” explained Waples.
The girl that works full time for us this summer went to camp two years ago. She had no horse experience before camp, she just loved horses. Now she does everything, from cleaning stalls to jogging horses.”
And that’s just what many of the kids from this year’s camp are hoping to do.
“We got our groom licenses here,” explained Jacob Fulcher, “and I really want to continue with it.”
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Story submitted by Hilary Eastmure