Harness: USHWA Youth Membership opens to applicants

Nathan Bain is becoming well known as a guest racecaller, and as regular racing commentator at Ontario’s Dresden and Leamington Raceways. He’s also one of the original USHWA Youth members, and wants to encourage new applicants for USHWA Youth Membership in 2020/21.

"As an aspiring journalist and broadcast announcer in the harness racing industry, I have been fortunate to have been given an opportunity to join the USHWA Canadian chapter as a Youth member. Now this opportunity is once again available for other youth to gain the same experience with their local USHWA chapter," said Bain. "It was 2018 when I was recruited by Melissa Keith to join as a Youth member, and USHWA has helped me promote my work in the industry and help get my name out there, as that was challenging to do living in Southwestern Ontario."

Also joining the organization in 2018 were Ryder Skinner (Delaware Valley chapter) and Jessica Hallett (Florida chapter). All of these participants renewed their memberships the following year and continue to participate in racing related activities. In 2019, the Canadian Chapter welcomed the newest Youth member, Nicholas Barnsdale of Toronto, Ontario.

The nomination deadline is June 1, 2020, and any potential youth members can self-nominate, or be nominated by anyone who is familiar with their contributions to harness racing. The youth (under 21 years of age) nominated must be a harness racing writer, photographer, video producer, or other contributor to the sport.

2018 was the first year USHWA Youth recruitment began, thanks to the generosity of continued sponsor Tim Konkle, editor of Midwest Harness Report. He has sponsored the first year of dues of dues for all Youth members approved to join, and will continue to do so in 2020/21. Konkle is also the founder of USHWA's newest chapter, the Indiana chapter. Although circumstances have forced him to move from the Hoosier State, he continues to be the Director of the At-Large membership, as he was before temporarily being Indiana Director.

In 2017, Konkle was named USHWA's Member of the Year for his steady recruitment and encouragement of new members and his willingness to volunteer for any and all manner of activities. His Midwest Harness Report is a monthly magazine which primarily gives in-depth coverage of harness racing in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois; it began as the Hoosier Horse Review to chronicle racing, breeding and sales in Indiana.

Nathan Bain says he is thankful that he became an USHWA Youth member. "It has been so much fun being involved and getting to write nomination biographies for the Dan Patch Awards. I encourage more young people in the harness racing industry to get involved and make a difference."

Please send nominations/questions to USHWA Youth Membership Committee chair Melissa Keith (mkeith71@gmail.com).

-edited release (Melissa Keith for USHWA)