The Maine Harness Horsemen's Association held its Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 23 at the Le Club Calumet in Augusta
, and a packed house filled the cozy banquet hall and a very exuberant and celebratory mood filled the room.
The annual meeting of the membership was held earlier in the day in a smaller room that was overflowing with members discussing the business end of the MHHA. Among the various topics discussed were proposed by-law changes, the 2010 budget and reports on the scholarship fund, sulky insurance and the 2009 financial report.
Also discussed was a proposal for Laura Searway to marshall at Scarborough Downs for a limited amount of race days during the season. Numerous members pointed out the value of an having an outrider present during the racing cards. The MHHA Board of Directors will discuss the topic of an outrider at Scarborough and Bangor in the near future with the parties involved coming to an agreement on funding this.
Three seats on the board of directors were up for election this year. Michael Hitchcock and Scott MacKenzie were the only two candidates for the positions. The third position will be filled at the next board of directors meeting in February.
Officers on the board of directors were then elected. Tim Powers was re-elected as President, Mike Hitchcock was elected Vice President, Wally Watson was elected Secretary, and Wendy Ireland was elected Treasurer.
A lively social hour and dinner followed the annual meeting. MHHA President Tim Powers started the ceremony in presenting appreciation awards to Scott Dillon and Fran Hanley, who are retiring from the board of directors
Mike Tanner, executive director of the USTA gave the keynote address. He discussed some humorous and memorable experiences that he has had during the first year holding the position. He also discussed how the harness racing market needs to face the future by grasping what we have to present to our customer base without relying on the past to succeed.
In dedicating the 2010 MHHA Yearbook to Ival Cianchette, Chandler Woodcock, executive director of the MHHA, reminded the crowd of the numerous accomplishments that "Bud" completed that benefitted the Maine harness racing industry. The MHHA was honored that Bud's widow, Pricilla and his daughter Susan were in the crowd.
Chandler Woodcock spoke on the decision to rename the distinguished service award to the Sheridan Smith Distinguished Service Award. In accepting this honor, Sheridan Smith told the crowd that he was appreciative of the honour. "Usually this happens when someone dies, but I plan on being around for a long time" said Smith.
Smith then gave a heartfelt speech in awarding the Sheridan Smith Distinguished Service Award to Willard and Olive Henderson, accompanied by a standing ovation to the couple to have served the industry for over 29 years. The Hendersons, in their quiet manner, have worked a number of positions within the industry, including blacksmith, numbers, patrol judge, equipment and horse identifier, security, equipment rental and repair all while having a public stable of horses over the years.
The Horse of the Year award was won by Rodeo Du Ruisseau while Pacer of the Year was a tie between Neutral Court and Gracie Gracie.
Bad Boy Billy took the Trotter of the Year award and five awards were given out for Senior Citizen Honours. Par One won the Outstanding Dash Winner Award with 15 wins. Thirty three horses were honoured for picking up 10 or more wins.
Drew Campbell won Driver of the Year for the second straight year, and Michael Hitchcock took Trainer of the Year honours. Brian Blanchard was awarded the Rising Star Award for 2009
The ceremony was ended with the 50/50 drawing, door prizes and an auction, with $1,800 raised for the MHHA Scholarship Fund.