Nominations for the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) award for 2024 Caretaker of the Year are due on Friday, Dec. 6.

The award, sponsored by Art Zubrod and Leah Cheverie’s Fair Island Farm in conjunction with USHWA, recognizes the unsung heroes of the sport: the caretakers who maintain the health and welfare of the horses on a daily basis.

Any caretaker working for any stable or farm in North America is eligible to be the Fair Island Farm Caretaker of the Year. All that is needed to nominate is an email or letter, 200 words minimum, from an individual or group detailing the skills and special qualities of the caretaker.

The Fair Island Farm Caretaker of the Year will receive a cash prize of $2,500 USD as well as transportation costs to the USHWA Dan Patch Awards banquet in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, where he or she will be recognized and presented with a trophy. The winner will also enjoy a two-night stay at Rosen Centre, host hotel for the USHWA activities, as well as two complimentary dinner tickets. All nominated caretakers will receive a certificate recognizing their accomplishments.

"Leah and I are honoured to continue the tradition of recognizing caretakers and the hard work they do on a daily basis," said Zubrod. "And it is especially gratifying to honour one most-deserving person as the Caretaker of the Year."

The winner will be chosen by an eight-person selection committee comprised of USHWA members, all of whom are former caretakers: Tim Bojarski (chair), Kim Rinker, Tom Charters, Moira Fanning, Jessica Hallett, Dean Hoffman, Mary McDermott and Shawn Wiles.

All nomination letters and emails must be received and/or postmarked by Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, and sent to chairman Bojarski at [email protected] or mailed to Tim Bojarski, 7523 Maple Road, Akron, N.Y. 14001.

(With files from USHWA)