Not only is it Breeders Crown time, it’s also time to start booking rooms for the U.S. Harness Writers Association’s 2019 Dan Patch Awards banquet.

USHWA’s annual Dan Patch Awards banquet will return to Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday, February 24, and room reservations are now available. The USHWA link to the hotel’s reservation page is available by clicking here.

The 2018 Dan Patch Awards banquet was held for the first time at Rosen Shingle Creek and because of the tremendous positive response to the site and overall experience, USHWA decided to return for an unprecedented second year in a row.

“Last year’s event was so well received by many of the attendees and USHWA members that it was an easy decision to return for another year,” said USHWA President Shawn Wiles. “Rosen Shingle Creek is a first-class venue that offers many amenities for its guests. We look forward to another excellent event.”

Located just off Universal Boulevard, within 10 minutes of the Orlando International Airport and minutes from the many area attractions, the 1,500-room Rosen Shingle Creek is a five-star property that is ranked a top-20 U.S. meeting hotel by Cvent.

The stunning 230-acre property includes four swimming pools, two lighted tennis courts, sand volleyball, basketball, a spa that includes nine treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an 18-hole Arnold Palmer-redesigned golf course. There are also 15 restaurants/lounges, including the upscale steakhouse A Land Remembered, the fine-dining bistro Cala Bella, Café Osceola, Tobias Burgers and Brews, Banrai Sushi, Mi Casa Tequila and Taquiera, and a 24-hour deli.

Dinner ticket prices and menu will be announced later, with a reduced price available for children 12 and under. All attendees will receive a 10 per cent discount at all of the above-mentioned restaurants, a 10 per cent discount at the Spa at Shingle Creek, and a green fees discount at the Shingle Creek Golf Club.

Rosen Shingle Creek offers complimentary shuttles to area theme parks and Orlando Premium Outlets.

The Dan Patch Awards banquet annually honours the best and brightest performers, both human and equine, of the previous season. The award winners are selected by USHWA, with all winners announced in advance except for Pacer of the Year, Trotter of the Year, and Horse of the Year, which will be revealed at the conclusion of the banquet. USHWA will hold its annual directors meeting on Saturday, February 23, and its general membership meeting the morning of the banquet.

All standard rooms under the USHWA block are $199 nightly (plus applicable taxes). For room reservations, please click here for USHWA’s dedicated link. More details will be announced as they become available.

To inquire about several sponsorship opportunities for the weekend, including live video streaming, the Red Carpet reception and live feed hosted by Heather Vitale and Heather Wilder, please contact USHWA President Wiles at [email protected].

(USHWA)