A great many horsemen and women got their start in the sport of harness racing at an early age. Winbak Farm of New York Farm Manager Noelle Duspiva was no different.

Duspiva started as a kid taking horseback riding lessons and horse showing. After graduating high school in 2000, she attended SUNY Morrisville College studying equine science and management.

"The summer of 2001, I decided to stay in Morrisville for the summer work program," Duspiva said. "I worked that summer in the breeding program, where I foaled-out my first mare, bred my first mare, collected my first stallion, and prepped my first set of yearlings for sale." At that point, Duspiva was hooked, she admits.

Duspiva went on to complete a 15-week internship at Winbak Farm of New York. Upon completing the internship, she was hired as the assistant manager. In 2010, she was promoted to farm manager.

As manager, Duspiva oversees the farm's daily chores, which includes working with the vet checking mares, working in the lab collecting stallions, foaling-out mares, sale- prepping yearlings, and more.

During her time at Winbak, Duspiva has had the opportunity to work with world champions such as Malabar Man, Muscles Yankee, Artiscape, Broad Bahn, Dream Vacation, and many others.

"Being here for 14 years, there are a lot of memorable moments," Duspiva said. "Having some of our stallions get inducted into the hall of fame as well as our broodmares means a lot."

At the present time, Duspiva is preparing for the 2019 breeding season. Getting the stallions working in the breeding shed, and the barren mares under lights are just a few of the processes Duspiva is working on. As with most breeding farm managers, Duspiva's goal is to have a high conception rate with her broodmares and stallions.

When asked what the future holds, her answer was that of a true lover of equine athletes. "I want to continue working with these great horses and watching their offspring do well in the future," Duspiva said.

Winbak Farm had 2,150 winners in 2018, with $21,965,100 in seasonal earnings. Winbak Farm has consistently been a top breeder in New York for Sire Stakes, Excelsior Series and County Fairs (2007-2013, 2015, 2016 and again in 2017). The farm is home to six stallions with three young millionaires; Bolt The Duer, Boston Red Rocks, and Mets Hall. The other three; Artiscape, CR Excalibur, and Muscles Yankee are all proven sires of stakes winners.

(Post Time with Mike and Mike)