The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association and the Florida Amateur Driving Club have teamed up to award a total of $8,000 in scholarships to five worthy recipients.
The five recipients, Sarah Birkhold, Jessica Hallett, Amber Cable, Ronald Huff and Ryan Huff, each received $1,600 from the F.A.D.C. and the F.S.B.O.A.’s Lester and Eunice Vance Scholarship Fund.
In a joint statement, the Associations stated, “We are proud to contribute to the higher and continuing education for our most deserving children of our horsemen and women.
“These times are very challenging financially and our goal to ease that burden so these recipients can achieve their lifetime goals.”
A spokesman for the F.A.D.C. added, “Of course, we thank the new ‘pro-racing’ management team at Pompano for the racing opportunities that enable us to make these donations and scholarship awards possible.”
Scholarship winner Jessica Hallett is the daughter of John and Michelle Hallett, well known in the harness racing industry. The multi-talented Jessica is entering her senior year at Nova Southeast University.
Not only an accomplished feature writer for our sport, Jessica is a pre-medical student with a double major in biology and behavioral neuroscience with a triple minor in trans-disciplinary studies, forensic studies and pre-health, with her ultimate goal being an ER doctor.
Sarah Birkhold, the daughter of George and Cindy Birkhold, is in her fourth year of veterinary school and will specialize in equine lameness and sports medicine.
“I will live by my veterinary oath,” she says, “helping owners and trainers reach their goals with their performance horses by providing quality medicine and education to my clients.”
Amber Marie Cable is the daughter of renowned farrier (blacksmith) Mike Cable and Kim Cable.
She attends the University of Central Florida, majoring in Pre-Nursing with a strong passion to help people in need--this after volunteering at Orlando Health.
“After volunteering there, I wanted to get people in need to feel there best all the time.”
Both Ronnie Huff and Ryan Huff are sons of two notable and longtime harness racing devotees -- Jake and Rosie Huff. Now beginning his junior year at Webber International University, Ronnie Huff has been known to excel in a number of sports over the years and is majoring in Law Enforcement. When he does get any respite from his studies, Ronnie is a very valuable asset to the Jake Huff Stable and plans to operate his own stable “sometime down the road.”
Ryan Huff is starting his sophomore year at Webber International University with a major is Business Management. Already with years of experience working with the Jake Huff Stable, he sees the necessity for solid management in the harness racing industry to maximize profits for horse owners.
Racing is scheduled to resume at Pompano Park on November 8 with complimentary stall rent for the 2020-2021 season.
(FSBOA / FADC)