ORISKANY, N.Y. — The 4-H Program of Oneida County hosted an educational Standardbred racing industry event on August 12. Overall, 17 Youth and 11 4-H Parents and Volunteers participated from Oneida, Madison, and Onondaga counties.
The day began at the Morrisville Rehabilitation Center with demonstrations of their underwater treadmill and swimming pool and a tour of the facilities. Then the group met at Vernon Downs Harness Track to tour the track and the backside. Oneida County 4-H alum Sophie Norton greeted us. She talked about how she got interested in harness racing and her job at the track. The group also met a Hamiltonian winning driver, and met some of the horses he is training.
The next stop was Crawford Farms in Durhamville to learn about the care and breeding process for Standardbred mares and the foaling process and sale fitting of the yearlings. Heather Reese, a former Oneida County 4-H member, gave us a wonderful tour of the facilities including the Yearling and Training Barns and the Equine Spa; where we saw a variety of rehabilitation equipment. The 4-H members were also lucky enough to see some adorable foals, including a foal out of the Hamiltonian winning mare “ATLANTA”!
Back at the racetrack, the Oneida County Ag in the Classroom Educator Mikaela Dupuis-Cormier presented a lesson focusing on careers in the equine industry and various medications that can be found in equine first aid kits. The day ended with dinner at the Deli-Licious food truck.
The day offered a candid look at the racing industry from an insider’s perspective and set the stage before viewing a night of harness racing. The 3rd race of the night was the Oneida County 4-H Trophy Race (as titled in the race programs we received). Just before the start of the 3rd race, youth and their families made their way track side in preparation to present the winning horse and driver with the Oneida County 4-H Trophy. Each family received a copy of the Winner’s Circle photo as a memento of the trophy presentation.
The Vernon Downs Track Tour through Oneida County 4-H has been a staple program for youth and adults. This daylong tour helps youth understand horse health care, equine management, and the ethical standards required to be a part of the racing industry. “Thank You” to the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, which sponsors Standardbred and Harness Racing education opportunities! Making this successful and detailed experience for our 4-H families possible.
If you would like more information about 4-H and the 4-H Horse program at CCE Oneida County, please call Lisa Farney at 315-736-3394, Ext. 122 or email lb553@cornell.edu.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County