Harness: Shawn Wiles voted USHWA's Member of the Year

Shawn Wiles, the Executive Director of Racing and Facilities at Monticello Raceway, has been recognized for his efforts on behalf of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), the sport’s leading media organization, by being voted USHWA’s Member of the Year in a polling of past winners of the award.

In 1972 Wiles started working as a caretaker on the backstretch of the very track at which he holds among the highest positions today, working his way through the horsemen’s ranks until becoming the first American to be a second trainer for the Continental Stable, one of the earliest operations to “invade” North America and be a powerful force, especially in the trotting ranks, starting in the 1980s.

A graduate of the Ohio State University ATI program, Wiles went from the backstretch to the Monticello frontstretch in 1994, and climbed up the management ladder as quickly as he ascended working as a horseman, resulting in the supervisory position he holds today.

A member of USHWA for 35 years and approaching his 20th year as a member of the Board Of Directors, Wiles served as President of the Association during 2018-2020, and today continues in an extremely important role as Chairman of the Sponsorship Committee. The work of Wiles and this committee in partnering with the sport’s top horsemen and organizations allows USHWA to continue to present its leading lights on as electric a stage as possible, culminating annually with the Dan Patch Awards Banquet in the honoring of the Standardbred sport’s stars, both equine and human. And Wiles doesn’t just “sit in the management box” – in addition to his sponsorship selling, on Banquet night you can find him setting up the trophy table display, selling raffle tickets, or doing any number of other jobs. "This kind of constant, pervasive work is what made Shawn attractive to the voters," said Debbie Little, immediate past USHWAn of the Year.

Shawn Wiles will be honored at USHWA’s Dan Patch Awards Banquet, presented by Caesars Entertainment, set for Sunday evening, February 25, 2024 at Rosen Centre on International Drive in Orlando FL. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the Dan Patch weekend, contact Mr. Wiles at swiles@rwcatskills.com or USHWA President Barry Lefkowitz at barryl22@aol.com. A room reservation link appears on the USHWA website www.usharnesswriters.com; those wishing to advertise in the USHWA Dan Patch Souvenir Journal should contact Kim Rinker at trotrink@aol.com. Information on purchasing Banquet dinner tickets will appear on the USHWA website as procedure becomes finalized.

-edited release (United States Harness Writers Association)