The Defiance County Area Horsemen Association (DCAHA) will be presented the 2019 Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Dick Brandt Sr. Extra Effort Award at the 2019 Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and United States Trotting Association’s District 1 Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday (Jan. 18).
The DCAHA was formed in 2010 to save harness racing at the Defiance County Fair in Hicksville, Ohio. The Association was responsible for conducting harness racing at the fair from 2011 through 2016. In 2017, the Defiance County Fair Board took over operation of the program. The board has managed racing the past three years with the assistance of the Defiance County Area Horsemen Association.
The Defiance County Area Horsemen Association is active in all aspects of the program at the Defiance County Fair which included running a silent stallion auction. The auction provides a service for small breeders and is a fundraiser for the DCAHA. The Association sponsored a matinee racing program in May that offered horsemen in the tri-state area of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan the opportunity to school their two-year-olds behind a starting gate. They also contributed to the purses for the races at the Defiance County Fair.
The DCAHA believes being active in all aspects of harness racing in cooperation with the Defiance County Fair Board shows a “team effort” is the best way to display county fair racing to the public.
The award is named for Dick Brandt Sr., who served as President of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association in 1984 and 1985. He was a past Chairman of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Health and Retirement Fund and Treasurer of P.A.C.E.R. (Political Action Committee for Equine Racing). He also served a member of the United States Trotting Association’s Board of Director and Treasurer.
The Dick Brandt Sr. Extra Effort Award is awarded to local horsemen’s associations and matinee clubs who have made a commitment to county fair racing. The award is based on involvement with their local fair board, local matinees, community involvement, improvements to racing and barn areas and assistance with racing programs during the fair week.
The award in its 18th year and will be presented at the 2019 Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and United States Trotting Association’s District 1 Annual Awards Banquet January 18, 2020 at the University Area Marriott in Columbus, Ohio. Tickets are available by contacting the OHHA office at 614-221-2650. Reservation forms are also available on the OHHA website at ohha.com.
The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association (OHHA) is a non-profit organization serving Standardbred horse owners, breeders, trainers, drivers and fans who participate in the sport of harness racing in the Buckeye State.
OHHA was founded in 1953. The mission of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association is to preserve, protect, promote and serve the entire Standardbred industry in Ohio and beyond.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association)