Ellen Taylor – who is the executive director of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF) and has been for the past 25 years – has been selected for recognition by USHWA as its 2015 Alan Prince USHWA Member of the Year.
Tara Ellen Taylor, a native of the Indiana heartland of harness racing, was named after the only mare to ever beat Greyhound in a race. Taylor, who focused exclusively on trotters, received her first horse, an orphan foal, in 1969 and has participated as an owner, breeder and caretaker ever since.
Foals bred and owned by Taylor, who won the Proximity Award in 2009, have gone on to become Indiana and Illinois award-winning two-year-old champions.
Undoubtedly, it is Taylor’s lifelong commitment to HHYF that has garnered ‘Miss Ellen’ the widest range of industry accolades and recognition. In addition to the Proximity Award, Taylor has also received the HTA Special Achievement Medal in 2002, USTA President’s Award in 2015, Indiana Standardbred Association Special Achievement Award in 2015, and the Indiana State Fair Grand Circuit Appreciation Award in 2002.
“I am honoured to receive the USHWAn of the year award,” Taylor said. “I enjoy serving the industry which has given, and continues to give, me so many valuable life lessons and much happiness. USHWA represents individuals working behind the pen, camera, and computer who care about improving harness racing awareness – a worthy goal for each of us.”
An ‘At-Large’ director of the organization for the past 12 years, it is through her dynamic and tireless efforts that the annual silent auction has been such a successful fundraising mechanism for USHWA and its partner HHYF.
Taylor travels thousands of miles each year to ensure that the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, is effectively fostering the next generation of participants and fans.
Prior to being named the executive director of HHYF, Taylor served as the camp coordinator since age 16. The foundation has been making a difference in young people’s lives since 1976, and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs, and the creation and distribution of educational materials.
Taylor’s award, along with the Dan Patch Horse of the Year and additional human award trophies will be presented on Sunday, March 6 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Tickets for the gala event, the Dan Patch Awards Banquet – Night of Champions, are now available.
(With files from USHWA)