Fifteen-year-old Schae Kelly of Russell, Ont. may be the first person ever to ride a horse and drive a horse on the same program.
On Sunday, August 5, as part of the Night of Champions at Rideau Carleton Raceway, Kelly will ride in the trot-under-saddle event and she will also drive a pacer in a Future Stars dash.
Kelly, who recently drove two winners at the Riceville Fair, has her sights set on becoming a professional harness driver.
"I just love driving horses," the Grade 9 student explained. "I don't know what I am looking forward to more, driving or riding. I am pumped for both races."
On the program that features the Coville Cup driving tournament, champion reinsman Darrell Coville --- who recently recorded his 6,500th career driving win --- will take to the saddle and compete against Kelly and eight other girls in the under-saddle event.
"I know Darrell is a great driver and has won 6,500 times, but that doesn't intimidate me," Kelly added. "I know [how] to beat him. I will have to be at my best, so it only inspires me [to] practice harder to try to get the upper hand."
(NCRHHA)