The world of harness horse racing is ready to add a new breeder to its ranks. The newcomers to standardbred horse breeding are none other than the students of the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences
. Through the efforts of Dennis Pietranduono and Scott Nelson, this high school will begin raising standardbred horses on their 48-acre farm outside of Chicago.
“They will take the mare from conception to raising and weaning the foal and then onto training and the sale,” Pietranduono said. “We will also have seminars from local breeders and trainers.”
An existing facility on the grounds will be used for the operation. Cameras have been set up to provide video streaming of the mares on the internet when it is time to foal.
The program has had tremendous support from the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
“The most important part of this program is that it is centered around the special education department and will be carried out with special needs children,” Pietranduono said. “Horses are great, therapeutic animals, which makes this a very positive program.”
The Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences purchased its standardbred breeding stock at a sale this past Sunday. Peitranduono was present at the Illinois State Fair Ag Day with 28 students and a group of staff members.
(State of Illinois)