The Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF) presented its annual Service To Youth Award to Vicky Rouch during the Indiana Standardbred Association’s recent Crystal Celebration dinner and banquet.
The Service To Youth Award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies the ideal of helping youth in harness racing. From Royal Center, Indiana, Rouch was selected by the HHYF board of trustees as the 2023 recipient. While many may know Rouch as a dedicated caretaker and owner/trainer of Star City Hero, what many might not know is her willingness to serve in nearly any capacity for the betterment of harness racing.
For several years, Rouch has volunteered for HHYF. She has conditioned horses, helped staff promotional booths, fixed broken equipment, mentored kids and travelled many miles with HHYF to help with the summer programs. She currently cares for HHYF stable member CDs Miss M at her farm in the off season.
HHYF Executive Director Ellen Taylor summarized Rouch's service by saying, “I cannot think of one example of Vicky saying ‘no, I'm too busy’ or ‘I can't’ which says a lot about her heart and love of the industry.”
She also plans to assist HHYF again with programming throughout the upcoming year.
The award has been presented each year since 1979 and Rouch joins a long list of distinguished recipients of the award, including Stan Bergstein, Leah Cheverie and Dr. Patty Hogan.
(HHYF)