The newest chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) is pleased to announce the election of its 2016 officers.
Melissa Keith replaces inaugural chapter president Dave Briggs as president. Keith is the winner of the 2015 O’Brien Media Excellence Award for print journalism and a frequent contributor to Atlantic Post Calls, TROT Magazine and HoofBeats. Darryl Kaplan retains the position of chapter vice-president. Kaplan is manager and editor of TROT Magazine, as well as the co-producer of the 2015 Media Sovereign Award-nominated video “So God Made a Racehorse.”
Replacing Keith as chapter secretary is Sydney Weaver. The youngest member to ever join the United States Harness Writers Association is a columnist with the Harnesslink website and won the 2012 Marie Hill Youth Writing Contest, in addition to being a finalist for the 2014 O’Brien Media Excellence Award for print journalism.
Garnet Barnsdale has also established a social media presence for the Canadian chapter by starting a Twitter account (@USHWACanada) to be updated by various chapter members. The account features general harness racing news tweets, particularly those with a Canadian focus, and offers a venue for wider distribution of chapter members’ published work. Barnsdale freelances for several publications including Down The Stretch and TROT Magazine, plus he handicaps Woodbine and Mohawk Racetracks for the Daily Racing Form.
The United States Harness Writers Association is a group of more than 220 members committed to the chronicling of harness racing through the print and electronic media. It was founded in 1947 by New York City area sportswriters who were covering harness racing at Roosevelt Raceway. It remains the only media organization in harness racing with a membership of newspaper, magazine, radio and TV, ad agency, publicists and others involved in racing communications. With most of USHWA's members allied to one of 12 regional chapters, the association strives to bring about a closer relationship among the media, racetracks and horsemen to promote a centuries-old (North) American-bred sport.
The Canadian USHWA Chapter invites individuals working in harness racing journalism, broadcasting, promotions and publicity, and related endeavours to contact us about membership. It is our goal to improve the profile of the sport across all media and bring visibility to the work of our members.
(with files from USHWA)