On Friday, May 15, driver Simon Allard delighted children and workers at a Pennsylvania daycare when he arrived with a Standardbred. He took the time to speak with Trot Insider about it. "The kids and the teachers all went nuts,” he said.
Allard visited the Building Blocks Learning Center, which is located at 1082 Highway 315, Plains, PA, on Friday morning for Career Day.
“They absolutely loved the horse and listened intently to everything I told them,” said Allard. “I even got the teacher to sit in the bike and took her for a ride in the parking lot.”
Allard, who is one of the leading drivers at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, wore his colours to the daycare. He spent the morning explaining all about harness racing, complete with all equipment, feed and bales of hay and straw.
The horseman told Trot Insider that the industry has implemented rules to make racing more appealing to women and kids, “but we still don't promote the horse like this very often, and I don't know why.”
When the horse trailer with Priceless Edition pulled up at the daycare on Friday morning, the children cheered in delight. One by one, each age group were led out to listen to Allard describe what he does for a living, and to meet the very friendly horse. The kids were also allowed to feed Priceless Edition carrots and apples, and Allard even showed them a race on his laptop so they could see how he drives during a race.
“People love horses,” he told Trot Insider, “we need to get out there and promote ourselves more."
(With files from The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono and Curtis Salonick)
Priceless.
Priceless.
Simon that is great of you to
Simon that is great of you to spend some of your time with these school children and explain some parts of the industry to them. Not many people would do this and the children seemed so happy to be around you and the horse. Hope to talk to you soon. Take care
Benbar Stables
Great job Simon, young
Great job Simon, young parents are always looking for new activities for their children. Many of us started out hanging on the fence at the track with our parents, and 50 years later we still have a love for the sport.
Open up training centres to school day trips and weekend events for families. Maybe mom and dad will buy them a horse instead of an Xbox
We can do all the studies we
We can do all the studies we want but at the end of the day it is events like this and the genorosity of Simon Allard in giving his time that bring our horses and our sport to tomorrow's fans. Great job Simon. Hope the kids had a chance to tow each other around on the bike. One very happy girl on the horse for the group photo.
Positive Mohegan Sun had hand in this as well. They deserve a big shout out.
In reply to We can do all the studies we by Meridian Farms
Getting back to basics wins
Getting back to basics wins the day when combined with the advances in technology. Kudos to Simon Allard and as you suggest Bill, Mohegan Sun, for for advancing the cause of harness racing in a most positive and memorable way. Those kids will never forget the experience! The future of harness racing looks better with every initiative like this one.
Need more of this; way to go
Need more of this; way to go Simon.
Simon I hope you see this
Simon I hope you see this because what you did here is just wonderful!! Love it!! You commented that the horse does not get promoted like it should and you definitely did do that. I enjoy the races for their beauty and personally know how loving they can be. This is ironic too because Rene is now training the first Standardbred I had personal connections with from birth until she went racing. It is one you are back driving and had drove her to victory when she was in the Grassroots at 3 yrs. old. McTaylor. The sweetest girl I know and I worked hard to teach her proper manners and hope she is still golden. Take care and keep up the good work on and off the track :0)
A top driver taking
A top driver taking promotional initiative. Would like to see more drivers follow suit.