The Hands On Horses Program wrapped up a busy season with its final 2011 offering — a Standardbred Xtreme Adult Harness Racing Camp — at Grand River Raceway on Monday night

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The event also served as a retirement party for one of the four standardbreds in the HOHP stable.

Medway Factor has been with the Hands On Horses Program since the inception in 2003 of the HOHP's flagship initiative, the Ontario Harness Racing Youth Camp.

During his eight years in the HOHP, Medway Factor has had more than 5,000 inquisitive hands upon him, and has accommodated them all with the signature patience and gentle nature of the standardbred.

Nicknamed 'Buddy' in honour of his former owner, the late Buddy Wellwood, the pacer was donated to the program after a career which grossed $135,000 and 14 wins, including the 1997 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Championship.

Over the years, Buddy has been harnessed and driven by quite a collection of characters. Children and adults of all ages have had their first true taste of the sport from his bike, but his passengers have also included radio personalities, politicians, magazine columnists, hockey stars, mascots, tourism advisers, TV anchors, newspaper reporters, funeral directors, roadworks superintendents, musicians and drag queens.

Now 16, Buddy has a few remaining HOHP gigs on his dance card (including a demo at the Erin Fall Fair this Saturday) before moving to his new home and career. The pacer will become the riding companion of an 11-year-old girl in Arthur, Ont.

The staff and volunteers of the HOHP wish Buddy happy trails in his new adventures and thank him for his years of valuable service in promoting harness racing.

For more information about the HOHP, visit handsonhorsesprogram.com.

(HOHP)