Four talented and dedicated young ladies have been selected to compete in this year’s Harness Horse Youth Foundation driving demonstration at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day, Saturday, August 8.
This year's participants are: Katilee Dunn of Honesdale, Penn.; Alexandra Urbanski of Jackson, N.J.; Hayley Halloran of Lewes, Del.; and Emily Clemons of Holland Patent, N.Y. The non-wagering event is a one-half mile dash, the standard Trottingbred distance, from behind the mobile starting gate, and is set for post just prior to the 12:00 Hambletonian card.
Dunn, age 12, has drawn the rail and will drive Imas Hit, assisted by Yannick Gingras. The daughter of Brian and Tracy Dunn, she attends Wayne Highlands Middle School. She represents the camp that was held at The Downs at Mohegan Sun.
Urbanski, the “senior citizen” of the group at 14 has post two. Aaron Merriman will be her co-pilot behind I Want Another, who is completing his first season as an HHYF Trottingbred. Alexandria attends Jackson Memorial High School and is the daughter of John and Alisa Urbanski. She represents the camp that was held at Gaitway Farm.
Hayley Halloran, who turned 13 in mid-July leaves from post three with Royal Attire and assistant driver Andy Miller. Representing Harrington Raceway’s camp, Hayley is a student at Beacon Middle School. She is the daughter of Lee Halloran.
Drawing the outside post four and assisted by HHYF Trustee Corey Callahan, twelve-year-old Emily Clemons will pilot L R Trixie. Emily lives in Holland Patent, N.Y. and represents the HHYF Vernon Downs camp. The daughter of Bob and Lisa Clemons, she attends Holland Patent Central School.
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation has been making a difference in young people’s lives since 1976, and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs, and creation and distribution of educational materials. For more information on opportunities through HHYF, or to support its mission, go to www.hhyf.org or find them on Facebook.
(HHYF)