Tioga Strong will receive the 2023 January Davies Humanitarian Award from the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), the sport's largest organization of communicators.
The award was created in 2008 by U.S. Harness Writers Association member Callie Davies-Gooch in memory of her daughter to recognize contributions beyond harness racing, and it is given annually at the Dan Patch Awards Banquet.
After the devastating tragedy on Nov. 9 at Tioga Downs when an arsonist set fire to a barn, leading to 30 horses perishing and an overwhelming loss to the horsepeople, there was a following of immense support by everyone in and out of the racing community in the aftermath. Donations poured in through GoFundMe by people around the world. Major breeders and farms auctioned off breedings with all funds going to support the "Tioga Strong" cause. Events, photos, artwork and stories were created in tribute to the horses that lost their lives and to the horsepeople that lost their worlds. Multiple horse trailers filled with equipment made their way across the country in every direction, headed for the final destination of the racetrack in Nichols, New York. The equipment and supplies filled an entire barn and were accompanied by donated racehorses. Altogether, more than $800,000 was raised to go to those that lost everything in the early hours of Nov. 9.
The Tioga Strong movement displayed the greatest facets in humankind, with people rallying around the Tioga horses and horsepeople, giving anything they could think of to show their support to the victims. An unthinkable tragedy and an unforgettable day in the history of harness racing was met with the unity of all. Though competitive on the racetrack, Tioga Strong was one demonstration of how horsepeople come together like no other occupation and no other population to help one another in a time of need.
“January loved horses and gave a lot of herself to our industry," said Davies-Gooch, January’s mother and the award’s originator and administrator. "I know she would be very pleased to have this award go to Tioga Strong, knowing that it would help the horsemen and women to recover."
Tioga Strong will be recognized at the 2023 Dan Patch Awards Banquet, presented by Caesars Entertainment, which will honour the best of the best of harness racing, both human and equine. Jessica Hallett, a two-time award winner at the banquet due in no small part to her efforts in helping the massive relief campaign, will accept the award on behalf of the Tioga Strong movement.
The banquet will take place on Sunday, Feb. 25 at the Rosen Centre on International Drive in Orlando, Florida.
Room reservations at Rosen Centre for the star-studded Dan Patch Awards weekend can be made at the USHWA website at usharnesswriters.com. Sponsorship opportunities for the event can be procured from sponsorship chairman Shawn Wiles at [email protected]. Advertisements in the souvenir journal can be arranged with journal chairman Kim Rinker at [email protected]. The advertising deadline is Jan. 31. Tickets for the banquet can be procured from ticket chairman Judy Davis-Wilson at [email protected] or Liz Cheesman at [email protected].
(With files from United States Harness Writers Association)