While Cassidy Schneider has been involved with harness racing her entire life, the news that she was named as a finalist for Canada's 2022 Future Star Award is a far cry from the good news she received from Standardbred Canada some five years ago.
Back in 2017, Schneider was a 15-year-old student at Wellington District High School who helped out at the family farm and snapped selfies with horses. Fast forward five years, and she's headed to the O'Brien Awards as one of the nation's up-and-coming talents.
"I am honoured to be nominated for the Future Star Award," Schneider told Trot Insider. "Hard work and dedication pays off and I couldn’t be more thankful to be given this opportunity! I want to thank my parents for always standing behind me and encouraging me to chase my dreams."
Schneider, 21, races at tracks across southwestern Ontario but topped all trainers at Leamington Raceway in both wins and earnings and garnered Trainer of the Year honours at The Raceway at the Western Fair District with horses earning more than $320,000 in the Forest City this past season. In 2022 — her second year as a full-time trainer — Schneider posted a 87-84-73 summary from 621 starts with more than $632,000 in purses and a 0.254 UTRS.
"My goal for 2022 was to get my 100th training win and to have a more successful year than the last," Schneider continued. "My goal for 2023 is to strive to be the best I can."
There is certainly no triskaidekaphobia for Schneider & Co. Her stable is off to a strong start in 2023, winning three races at Western Fair on Friday the 13th. Her seasonal training average (as of press time) stands at 0.374. That success isn't viewed by Schneider as an individual accomplishment.
"I owe my seasonal success to my staff, my family, my owners, and my horses, not to mention the drivers who make this dream a reality," said Schneider on her award-nominated season. "I wouldn’t be in this position today without any of the above! It’s not always easy working in this industry, but I know it’s always worth it and I’m proud of my accomplishments thus far in my career.
"My successful year has made a positive impact on our stable and it’s brought on many new achievements. A big thank you to my staff who puts in a lot of hard work every day and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Whether that’s in the barn or at the races, I can’t thank them enough for that."
Based out of Arthur, Ontario, Schneider was born into the industry as the daughter of longtime horseman Colonel Schneider Jr., whose father and grandfather also raced horses. She jogged her first horse — PL Dangerous — at the age of eight and she's been hooked on harness racing ever since.
Her first win came in 2020 at Leamington Raceway with veteran trotter Yoooukilis, and she's picked up 123 more tallies to this point.
"Schneider stables started out as a father / daughter duo but it quickly grew to a team and with a bigger team meant more horses — more quality horses — and for that I want to thank my dad and owners," stated Schneider. "My owners put their trust in me. Thank you for allowing me to work with your horses and I can’t wait to see what this year brings for all of us!"
A finalist for the 2022 Future Star Award along with Samuel Filion, Schneider hasn't stepped off the Cloud Nine provided by the call from Standardbred Canada just before Christmas. That news carried substantially more weight than the news that her photo was voted as a SC website contest winner in 2017.
"When I got the call that I was an O’Brien Award finalist I felt all the emotions and I’m still feeling them," she admitted. "It’s put a lot into perspective for me and I’m truly grateful to even be nominated for such an award. This is a huge highlight in my career!
"I have never been to the O’Brien Awards before, but I’m counting down the days! I’m excited, nervous, and I feel like it will be an emotional experience. I’m truly honoured for this nomination and regardless of the outcome, I will be grateful to have been nominated in the first place."
The O’Brien Awards Black Tie Gala is Canadian harness racing’s most prestigious event and Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that the 2022 awards will be a ‘live’ event at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale Hotel on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.
(Photos: Tiffany Chantel Photography, Lauzon Looks Photography, New Image Media)