On Saturday, April 19, 2008 at Kawartha Downs Race Track, members of the Kawartha Pony Club were treated to a Clinic on the Race Industry by Jim Huck, Race Secretary and a number of volunteer drivers, trainers and a blacksmith.

The members and parents were given a very thorough clinic on what happens at the race track with the following areas being covered:

1) A Day in the Life of a Racehorse

2) Harnessing a Standardbred

3) Tour of the Grandstand/Paddock

4) Ride in the two seater jog cart

5) Driver/Blacksmith/Groom sharing information

6) Rules and Regulations of Harness Racing

All the Pony club members had the opportunity to jog a horse out on the track in the two seater jog carts. A very special opportunity was to meet and drive with the youngest female trainer in Canada at 16 years old, Elaine Reid.

Kawartha Pony club would also like to thank the following people for volunteering their time to speak with our group:

Jim Huck, Race Secretary

Crystal O'Brien, Simulcast Manager

Doug Hie, Trainer / Driver

Art Balson, Trainer / Driver

Kyle Balson, Trainer / Driver

Jason Woodward, Trainer / Driver

Ted Reid, Trainer

Elaine Reid, Trainer

Ian McCardle, Blacksmith

Digital photos to accompany this story are available on request.

Pony Club is an international organization whose members in Canada range in age from six to 25. The main focus of pony club is on equine education but each region has its own competitive schedule as well for various riding disciplines. Kawartha Pony Club is a branch that resides within the larger Central Ontario Region of Pony Club whose boundaries stretch from Lake Ontario to James Bay and Hwy 27 to Napanee.

For more details e-mail Bob Inglis, Central Ontario Regional Communications Chair, or call him at 416-493-1223 (office) or 416-491-4230 (home).