Seniors from eight Goshen, New York-area schools competed in a special race on June 6 at Historic Track
. The event was organized by Ray Schnittker, who trained and drove last season's Trotter of the Year Deweycheatumnhowe and is stabled at Historic Track.
Local horsemen raised nearly $40,000 for scholarships for the students and their respective schools. Each student that participated received $1,000 while the schools got money based upon the finish of the race. The students competed in double-seated carts and were accompanied by professional drivers.
Shannon Mingall of Chester Free Academy, who teamed with pro George Brennan, won the race in 2:07 and earned $9,000 for her school. Shawn Griffin of Goshen High School, accompanied by Larry Stalbaum, was second while Washingtonville High School's Robert Burbridge, with co-pilot Mike Kimelman, was third.
Other schools that participated were Middletown High School, S.S. Seward Institute, Monroe-Woodbury High School, Port Jervis High School, and Monticello High School. The second-place finisher received $6,000 and third place got $4,500. The remaining schools picked up $2,400 apiece for their scholarship funds.
The remaining pros in the race were Schnittker, Stephane Bouchard, Jordan Stratton, Gareth Dowse and Greg Merton.
"We really got the community involved and we introduced the kids to harness racing," Schnittker said. "It was a great day and everyone that participated enjoyed themselves."
Schnittker spent time working with the students in preparation for the race.
"The kids have all been here once or twice," Schnittker said. "They all have been pretty good. Some had never been around a horse before. I thought they would be more scared, but they don't care.
"I guess when I was that age I didn't care either," he added with a laugh.
(Harness Racing Communications)