Nominations are now being accepted for the 2004
"Caretaker of the Year" Award. The award, sponsored annually
since 1982 by Harness Tracks of America and in recent years by HTA
and Hanover Shoe Farms, recognizes the unsung heroes of the sport,
the caretakers who maintain the health and welfare of the sport’s
horses.
All that is needed to nominate a groom for the
23rd annual "Caretaker of the Year" award is a letter from an
individual or group to Harness Tracks of America detailing the
skills and special qualities of the caretaker. The winning caretaker
receives an oil painting of himself or herself with the horse of
their choice. All individuals nominated for the award receive a
certificate of excellence and the first 50 grooms nominated also
receive an embroidered jacket as a groom of the year nominee.
The "Caretaker of the Year" Award was founded in
1982 after Delvin Miller, addressing attendees at the annual HTA
meeting as its Messenger award winner for that year, noted the sport
gave no recognition to its grooms, its unsung stars. The 2003
"Caretaker of the Year" was Margaret Anderson of Beamsville,
Ontario. Margaret’s nominator, Dr. John Hayes, wrote, "For the
purest of reasons, Margaret is a caretaker…..she enjoys the horses.
It’s not always the good one that’s been her favorite. Some pretty
ordinary mugs have received her favored status over the years."
The deadline for nominations is December 31,
2004. All entries detailing why candidates are deserving of the
honor as caretaker of the year should be mailed to Harness Tracks of
America, 4640 East Sunrise Drive, Suite 200, Tucson, AZ, 85718.
Nominations also may be submitted by fax (520-529-3235) or by e-mail
(info@harnesstracks.com). Letters must contain the name, address,
telephone number and jacket size for the nominated groom, along with
the name, address and telephone number of the nominator. All
grooms nominated will receive a certificate of excellence and the
first 50 nominations will also receive an embroidered HTA/Hanover
Shoe Farms jacket. The winner will receive a painting with his or
her favorite horse.
