The United States Harness Writers Association today announced the winner of the 2009 John Hervey Award for excellence in harness racing broadcasting
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Horse Racing Alberta’s and Whiteiron Productions’ feature regarding fan favourite pacer Tajma Hall was named the winner.
Honourable mention was given to NBC’s Hambletonian Day feature on husband-and-wife driver/trainer team Andy and Julie Miller.
The contest was sponsored by harness racing executive Jeff Gural.
Tajma Hall, who set the track record of 1:50.3 at Northlands Park in Edmonton last season as a 10-year-old and has won 62 races during his career, was featured during a telecast on the Canadian Television Network (CTV) Alberta on August 8. The executive producers were Jeff Robillard of Horse Racing Alberta and Mike Little of Whiteiron Productions.
“This was a very well produced and informative video for such a short piece,” judge G.D. Hieronymus said. “Creative videographer covers the horse as well as providing interesting angles and the audio recording and editing is exceptional with use of on-location sound of horse either at the farm or on the track at races. I enjoyed the trainer/driver Jean Francois Gagne narrating the story.”
Andy and Julie Miller were featured in “Love & Marriage,” which appeared during NBC’s live coverage of the Hambletonian on August 8. It was produced by Bill Rappaport.
“Reporter Donna Brothers did a good job interacting with couple and telling a small part of Julie and Andy Miller’s story,” Hieronymus said. “Racing cannot produce enough of these real life stories that provide an inside look giving the fans something to identify with.”
Hieronymus is the director of broadcast services at Keeneland and an Eclipse Award-winning director and producer.
Robillard and Little will be honoured for their accomplishments at USHWA’s annual awards dinner, to be held February 28 at Yonkers Raceway in New York. The dinner is in the Good Time Room and tickets are $100 per person. Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner an hour later. For tickets or advertising information, call Dave Little at 212-210-1691 or e-mail [email protected].
(With files from USHWA)