It's not often you see a top trotter and pacer face off but this past Sunday, June 27 two of harness racing’s greats did just that at Orono Fairgrounds.

Double millionaires Goodtimes and Admirals Express rocked the Standardrama horse show for standardbreds on Sunday as they went head-to-head in multiple classes along with other s-breds who have been adopted through the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.

Goodtimes and Julie Kangas earned top honours in showmanship and also competed in the halter (second), English pleasure (fourth) and English equitation (fourth) classes. Admirals Express and Wellington Charles won the costume class and also took part in the showmanship (fifth) and halter (seventh) classes. For full results from the show, click here.

“Standardrama was a huge success! Lots of horses and riders and horsemen came out to see what it was all about,” Tammi Hughes, event coordinator, told Trot Insider. “I think we picked up some fans along the way.”

The show captured the attention of over 150 horse enthusiasts in attendance, who were introduced to standardbreds under saddle, and Kawartha Downs' Dave Gilders was on hand to answer any questions they had about harness racing.

“We want to thank all our sponsors as well as everyone who came out with horses or to [watch],” added Hughes.

Hughes told Trot Insider that work has already begun to make Standardrama 2011 even bigger and better.

Standardrama is one of five Standardbred Show Series running from June to September. The next event is the Standardbred Showcase.

The third annual Standardbred Showcase for registered standardbred horses is scheduled for Sunday, August 1 during the Industry Day weekend at Grand River Raceway. Showtime begins promptly at 9 a.m.

The show will offer participants a wide range of classes, including halter, English pleasure and equitation, western pleasure and equitation, jumping, dressage, pleasure driving and games. Ribbons and prizes to sixth place will add fun to the day.

The following shows in the series will be held by the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (venue to be determined) on August 29, SW Ontario Standardbred Horse Show at London’s Highland Green Stable on September 12 and Oxer Stables on September 26.

Designated class point-tallies will be kept for participants of at least three of the five shows in the Standardbred Show Series. Top achievers in many categories will be honoured at the year-end awards banquet. Banquet details will be posted on the Standardbred Showcase website later in the season.

Standardbred Showcase welcomes participants and their horses, spectators and supporters. For safety around the horses, dogs are not permitted on the show grounds. Proof of current liability insurance for competing horses is required as a condition of registration and participation.

For further information contact Kelly McLaughlin, President, at 905 335-8115 or [email protected]. Details, updates and entry forms are available from www.standardbredshowcase.com.

Click here to view a photo gallery of Standardrama 2010.

(With files from Standardbred Showcase)