A few spots remain in a second Youth Camp to be staged at Grand River Raceway from Aug. 7 to 10.
The raceway added the second week of Ontario Harness Racing Youth Camp after the quick response to its initial camp which ran July 10 to 13.
The program offers eight youths, between the ages of 10 and 13, the chance to learn about harness racing in a hands-on environment.
The camp celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2012. It’s the flagship initiative of the Hands On Horses Program (HOHP).
Each camp participant works in pairs with a retired Standardbred racehorse. The camp includes special guests such as veterinarians and blacksmiths, and includes a classroom component.
At the end of camp, participants will race against one another in two exhibition races staged during the Friday race night on Aug. 10.
The cost per child is $150 and registrations are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. For more information and the application form, visit http://handsonhorsesprogram.com.
The HOHP has released a helmet-cam video filmed during the 2011 Youth Camp at the track, which captures the action and emotion of the exhibition races.http://youtu.be/9GXq4jldpqc.
An adult camp has also been slated for Sept. 8 to 10 at Grand River Raceway at a cost of $300 per person. For more information and an application form visit http://handsonhorsesprogram.com.
The HOHP is an umbrella program for the interactive initiatives of The Standardbred Revenue Allocation (SRA) Marketing Committee. The SRA is responsible for administering funding from the Pari-Mutuel Tax Reduction Program, to be used for initiatives that create new racing fans and new horse owners while promoting Ontario harness racing.
