A few spots remain in a second Youth Camp to be staged at Grand River Raceway from August 7 – 10.
The Elora, Ont. track added the second camp after the quick response to its initial camp, which starts next week.
This exciting program offers eight local youngsters between the ages of 10-13 the chance to learn about harness racing in a hands-on environment. Each participant will work in pairs with a retired standardbred racehorse. The camp includes special guests such as veterinarians and blacksmiths, and includes a classroom component.
At the end of camp, participants will race against one another in two exhibition races staged during the Friday race night on August 10.
The cost per child is $150 and registrations are accepted on a first-come, first served basis. For more info and the application form, click here.
An Adult Camp has also been slated for September 8-10 at Grand River Raceway at a cost of $300/person. More info and application, click here.
The Ontario Harness Racing Youth Camp celebrates its 10th birthday in 2012. It’s the flagship initiative of the Hands On Horses Program. Additional initiatives have blossomed over the years, and programs under the Hands On Horses Program have introduced thousands of children and adults to the exciting world of harness racing.
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.
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.
(GRR)