Indiana's Equine Industry Profiled

With champions the likes of Always B Miki, Freaky Feet Pete, Hannelore Hanover and Wiggle It Jiggleit emerging from Indiana over the last decade, the Hoosier state has certainly raised its profile on an international stage in recent years. But success in harness racing is certainly not a new phenomenon for the Hoosier State.

Last year, WTIU, the public access television station based in Bloomington, Ind., put together a documentary on horses and horse racing in the state of Indiana. The hour and a half show initially aired several times through the station’s channel in December 2019. For a limited time, WTIU is providing access to the online documentary, “Horsepower: Indiana’s Equine Industry.”

The version of the documentary that's available online is the director’s cut, which contains more Standardbred racing clips than the program that aired on television. The special explores the development of harness racing in the Hoosier State and begins with the birthplace of Dan Patch and shifts to Single G in Cambridge City.

The documentary goes on to cover the Standardbred industry from breeding to sales to the racetrack. The program talks to several participants in the current racing landscape. Those participating in the Standardbred section of the documentary include Nat Hill, longtime owner and breeder based out of Bloomington, Ellen Taylor, executive director of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Jeff Edwards, owner-trainer-breeder, Dwayne Miller, breeder, Scott Peine, director of racing and Rick Moore, vice president and general manager of racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

Horsepower: Indiana’s Equine Industry reveals Indiana’s rich history with horses and horse racing. A stalwart in Indiana, Standardbred racing dates back to the mid-1800s, with events occurring at many county fairs across the state. In exploring this tradition, the program looks into the Hoosier experiences which have produced some of the most famous and celebrated horses in history.

(ISA)