Today (Jan. 2) is the final day to submit nominations for the Outstanding Groom Award, presented jointly by Standardbred Canada and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation at the O'Brien Awards.

This award has been embraced by the industry and each year Standardbred Canada receives many worthy submissions. Past winners include (pictured L-R): Cindy Acton (2015), Teesha Symes (2016) and Chantel Gillis (2017).

Do you know someone who has worked in the industry for over five years, someone who treats their horses with kindness and outstanding care, regardless of the horse or its ability? The candidate should have a strong work ethic, be dependable, a good sportsman and be based in Canada. Candidates must be over the age of 19. If you know or work with someone with these qualities, consider nominating him or her for this award.

Grooms are the unsung heroes of harness racing and are critical to the success of any horse in any stable. Their relationship with the horse is by far the closest. Grooms provide the daily care and attention to the equine athletes. They keep the horses physically healthy and mentally happy, sometimes working seven days a week to make sure the horses are properly cared for.

SC launched National Caretaker Appreciation Day this past year, another program to recognize and reward caretakers. It was hosted at 18 tracks across the country.

The deadline for submissions is today (Jan. 2, 2019). Please click here for a nomination form.

A selection committee will review the submissions and two finalists will be announced on Jan. 8 and the presentation to the winner will be made at the O’Brien Awards on Feb. 2.

Please email your submissions to Kathy Wade Vlaar at [email protected], or fax to (905) 858-3111.