As the Ontario Harness Racing Youth Camp celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the Hands On Horses Program has released details of some of its upcoming offerings.
The Hands On Horses Program (HOHP) is an umbrella program for the interactive initiatives of The Standardbred Revenue Allocation (SRA) Marketing Committee. The SRA is responsible for administering funding from the Pari-Mutuel Tax Reduction Program, to be used for initiatives that create new racing fans and new horse owners while promoting Ontario harness racing.
HOHP initiatives include:
• Ontario Harness Racing Youth Camps
• Standardbred Xtreme Adult Harness Racing Camps
• Project iDrive
• So, You Think You Can Drive!
• Showtime Racetrack Staff Training
• Racetrack Open Houses
• Industry representation at equine events
These education initiatives rely on a stable of retired Standardbred racehorses, double-seated jog carts, and the support of industry participants who volunteer their time and expertise to assist in promoting Ontario harness racing.
The Ontario Harness Racing Youth Camp was the flagship initiative of the Hands On Horses Program, one decade ago. Additional projects have blossomed over the years, and initiatives under the Hands On Horses Program have introduced thousands of children and adults to the exciting world of harness racing.
Dates have been confirmed for Youth Camps at Clinton Raceway (June 27 - July 1), Grand River Raceway (July 10-13), Flamboro Downs (July 18-21) and Georgian Downs (August 22-25). The camps are for children ages 10-13, last three to four days, and feature two exhibition races on the final day of camp.
An Adult Camp has also been slated for September 8-10 at Grand River Raceway.
Here is the remainder of this year's scheduled events:
June 15 - So, You Think You Can Drive! - Lemington Fair
June 23 - Open House - Kawartha Downs
July 7 - So, You Think You Can Drive! - Kawartha Downs
July 8 - Open House - Hanover Raceway
July 15 - So, You Think You Can Drive! - Clinton Raceway
August 4 - Project iDrive - Kawartha Downs
The HOHP has released a helmet-cam video filmed during the 2011 Youth Camp at Grand River Raceway, which captures the action, and emotion, of the exhibition races. The video is below:
A short promotional video about the HOHP can be seen below:
Complete details of HOHP programs can be found at www.handsonhorsesprogram.com or by contacting HOHP Coordinator Stacey Reinsma at [email protected].