The United States Harness Writers Association, the sport’s leading group of Standardbred journalists, has announced that it will be donating $2,500 to the unfortunate horsemen who lost more than two dozen horses and their associated equipment – basically, their means of livelihood -- in a barn fire at the Mount Hope Training Center in Otisville, Orange County NY during the morning of June 2.

“Even the mere mention of the word FIRE sends shivers down the spine of every horseman, every track executive, every shedrow in the world,” notes Shawn Wiles, president of USHWA, executive director of racing at New York’s Monticello Raceway, and a former caretaker. “Any loss of equine life is horrific.

“It is during catastrophes such as this that the industry comes together and rallies behind those who have lost everything. The U.S. Harness Writers Association makes this donation in an effort to help horsemen get back on their feet and get their lives together again.”

A GoFundMe page, for others who want to help these devastated horsemen, has been set up jointly by North American Harness Update Picks and Post Time with Mike & Mike, and it has now raised over $10,000. The website for making donations is www.gofundme.com/MtHopeFire.

(USHWA)