The Harness Horse Youth Foundation has released its 2015 summer event schedule and once again Vernon Downs is on the itinerary.
Vernon will host a five-day overnight horsemanship camp from July 14-18. Camp registration fee, which includes all materials, meals and lodging, is $150. Complete 2015 schedule information, along with applications for the Vernon Downs camp, is available here. For questions or more details, contact HHYF Executive Director Ellen Taylor at 317-867-5877 or by email, [email protected]. Application deadline is May 15.
HHYF’s popular five-day overnight camps, for students 12-14, are intense, hands-on introduction to horsemanship. Participants learn to care for horses including grooming, proper equipment and safety techniques, and how to drive a horse, assisted by licensed trainers and drivers. HHYF travels with its own stable of Trottingbreds, a slightly smaller breed of horse than the Standardbreds that normally race at the track. The Vernon camp culminates with a driving exhibition behind the starting gate in full racing colours, where one participant will be chosen to represent Vernon Downs on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands, Saturday, August 8, in a similar exhibition featuring representatives of other camps.
“We are pleased to again be presenting our horsemanship camp this summer at Vernon Downs. We are very fortunate to have supportive sponsors and volunteers who recognize our mission’s importance,” said Taylor. “We look forward to sharing with even more people the enthusiasm of the participants as they discover the fun of driving and caring for a racehorse.”
(Vernon Downs)