Aaron Lehman has been named the 2023 Caretaker of the Year by Minnesota Harness Racing Inc. (MHRI) and will be presented with his award at the upcoming MHRI Banquet at Running Aces this coming Saturday, Feb. 17.
Lehman was selected from three nominees for this year's award, and in addition to his award, will receive a prize package including accomodations at the banquet, an official MHRI Caretaker of the Year jacket and a $100 gift certificate to St. Croix Saddlery of Willernie, Minnesota.
Lehman was nominated by MHRI members Robin Becklin and Scott Peifer, who are Standardbred owners and breeders who have had horses in training with QKS Racing, Lehman's employers. The pair quickly recognized his strong work ethic and pleasant temperament around the barn and have been impressed with him ever since.
Becklin noted, "We have watched Aaron for the last couple years ... and have been impressed with his work attitude ... rain or shine, hot or cold or any adverse conditions, he is always upbeat and smiling. We’ve enjoyed working with him on race nights as we like to help paddock our horses, and he’s very attentive to their needs and having them ready to race.
"We are also happy to see him driving and wanting to become a driver as he seems to be a natural at this as well and I know our horses are doing well with him jogging and training them ... He is a real asset to team QKS and the harness racing community needs more dedicated people like Aaron."
Lehman, 21, is from Medford, Wisconsin and was introduced to harness racing through his friend Mel Mullet, who has owned horses in QKS Racing Stable for several years. QKS is operated by the husband and wife team of Quentin and Kimberly Schneider.
Not long after the introduction to the sport and to the trainers, Lehman found himself interested in both the horses and the sport and subsequently went to work for the Schneider barn as a groom. This summer will mark three years as part of the QKS team for Lehman. He joined the U.S. Trotting Association in 2021 and obtained his Qualifying/Fair driving license in 2023. In addition to the requisite barn work, he helps ship horses to race at Running Aces from the team's summer base in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, does paddocks and helps warm horses up on the track. He also travels with the team back to their fall/winter home base in Sacramento, California where they train and compete at Cal-Expo.
Kimberly Schneider shared the following about Lehman and his work with QKS Racing: "It feels like we've always been in the barn together ... He's been a great addition to our team. We have a great family dynamic in the barn and it's a really fun environment.
"Aaron has gone from not knowing any of the equipment, to successfully driving [and winning] in fair races in Wisconsin this past summer and he has also picked up qualifying drives," she added.
Schneider also shared that, "Aaron has proven to be capable and reliable both on the track and in the barn and we are very lucky to have found him ... He will be successful and a good asset to our industry long term. We are just so incredibly proud of him and excited to watch him continue to excel."
When asked what his favourite things about his work in harness racing are, Lehman said, "Jogging and training are my favourite things; I really enjoy the track work."
Speaking about his future goals in the sport, he said, "I would love to become a trainer and driver and have my own stable one day."
Lehman has also been recognized twice over the past two seasons as a groom of the month at Running Aces.
(With files from Minnesota Harness Racing)