Longtime Virginia horsewoman Betsy Brown was recently recognized by the Virginia House of Delegates for her accomplishments on the track as an owner, trainer and driver.
The resolution, sponsored by representatives Reid, Adams, D.M., Carr, Delaney, Heretick, Hope, Rasoul, Simonds and Ware, appears in its entirety below.
WHEREAS, Betsy Brown, an esteemed harness racing driver from Woodstock, won her 500th race as part of the Virginia Harness Horse Association’s Matinee Meet at the Shenandoah County Fair on September 2, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Brown won the race with the horse Believe In Him in the $2,000 Free For All Trot event, marking the second year in a row that she won with the horse at the Shenandoah County Fair; and
WHEREAS, after jumping out to an early lead, Betsy Brown and Believe In Him fell behind briefly but regained the top position before the halfway mark and held it until the end, finishing with a time of 2:02; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Brown started riding at the age of five and has been racing for more than four decades; she won her first race in 1979 and has enjoyed an illustrious career as both a driver and a trainer ever since; and
WHEREAS, as a driver, Betsy Brown has appeared in 3,869 races and her horses have earned $1,153,596 in purse money, while as a trainer, her horses have made 5,646 starts and reached the winner’s circle 826 times; and
WHEREAS, harness racing is a unique and time-honored tradition at the Shenandoah County Fair that has been a cherished part of the community event for more than a century; with a farm located near the fairgrounds, Betsy Brown has long been a local favorite at the races; and
WHEREAS, Betsy Brown demonstrated extraordinary talent and determination in reaching this remarkable racing milestone and is an inspiration to all Virginians; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Betsy Brown, an accomplished harness racing driver from Woodstock, hereby be commended for winning her 500th race; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Betsy Brown as an expression of House of Delegates’ profound admiration for her noteworthy accomplishments.
(Virginia Equine Alliance)