"It was really nice to be on stage with my dad and just be apart of this awesome event, and it was just even a privilege to be nominated for such an outstanding award."

After a runner-up finish in the Future Star category a year ago, Cassidy Schneider took home the hardware at the 2023 O'Brien Awards, which were held last weekend on Saturday, Feb. 3 in Charlottetown, P.E.I. 

Schneider had a successful season in 2023 building on her achievements from 2022. In 611 starts, the young trainer from Arthur, Ont. accumulated 83 wins, with earnings of $521,886. Doing most of her racing across Ontario’s B tracks, Schneider topped the 2023 trainer standings at Hanover Raceway and The Raceway at the Western Fair District.

Speaking about what the award means to her, Schneider said, "It just means that our dedication and our hard work and everything that we do all year round has paid off."

In an interview with Standardbred Canada's John Rallis and Jeff Porchak, Schneider discussed the development of her stable of 40-plus horses and the support and influence of her "biggest fan" -- her father and longtime horseman Colonel Schneider. She also spoke about the decisions that go into operating a successful stable racing on Ontario's B circuit, including driver choices and the selection of horses that fit half-mile track racing styles and classes. The post-O'Brien Awards interview, the seventh and final O'Briens interview sponsored by Horse Racing Alberta, appears below.

(Standardbred Canada)