Freehold, New Jersey’s Tom Luchento was voted president of Harness Horsemen International (HHI) at the association’s annual meeting on March 1 at the Westin Beach & Spa Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Harness Horsemen International is a consortium of horsemen’s organizations from 16 states and provinces.

Luchento, president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ), fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Gene Oldford, 80, of St. Clair, Michigan, who has been president of HHI for five years.

"I appreciate the support of my fellow horsemen and look forward to representing them as their president," said Luchento.

The 67-year-old Luchento, a former harness driver-trainer and restaurateur, was the 2011 recipient of the Governor’s Trophy as Horseperson of the Year in New Jersey and saluted by the Monmouth County Freeholders with the proclamation of Thomas F. Luchento Day on April 27, 2011. He was presented with the HHI Appreciation Award, also in 2011.

In 2012, he received both the Man of the Year Award from the New Jersey Sportswriters Association and a President’s Award from the United States Harness Writers Association.

(SBOANJ)