2007 Michigan Youth Horse Racing
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
“Bringing yesterday’s tradition of horse racing back to our youth”
Established in 2001, the Michigan Youth Horse Racing Program enables youth, ages 10 – 19 (as of Jan 1st of current year), to participate in the thrill and excitement of Michigan’s horse racing industry. The Michigan Department of Agriculture, Horse Racing Industry, and Great Lakes Quarter Horse Association partner to make the Youth Horse Racing Program possible for our Michigan Youth. The program was founded around the importance of skillful, high-quality horsemanship, and the tradition of horse racing. Through this program, youth serve as representatives of Michigan’s horse racing industry and play a key role in showing community members, government officials, and industry people the importance of racing to our State. Youth races are held at county fairs throughout the State of Michigan. Winners are eligible to participate for the overall championship. The championship race is hosted at a premier Michigan race track. The program has awarded over $35,830 in purse money and prizes to 467 participants since 2001. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Stimulate interest in Michigan Horse Racing Educate youth about the horse racing industry Enhance youth involvement with livestock RACING OVERVIEW Youth races are held at fairs throughout the State Winners are eligible to participate for the championship Championship races are hosted at a premier Michigan race track RACING SPECIFICS 5 or less riders per race heat Walking start Races are held on the straight-away in front of the grandstand ELIGIBILITY Participants must be certified Youth must be between 10 and 19 years of age – as of Jan 1st Two years of riding experience is required SAFETY EQUIPMENT Helmets and rider safety vests must be worn by participants
www.michigan.gov/yhr
2007 Michigan Youth Horse Racing
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
“Bringing yesterday’s tradition of horse racing back to our youth”
Safety equipment is provided by the State of Michigan CERTIFICATION CLINICS Certification clinics are held prior to the race Each race participant and horse team must be certified in the current race year Riders are certified on their ability to safely handle their horse ENTRY PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS Complete Participant Information & Emergency Form and Sign Liability Waiver Pay entry fee ($15.00) Provide current negative Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins) test papers Provide certification card RACE LOCATIONS IN 2007 Gladwin County Fair - Gladwin June 18, 2007 - Certification Clinic @ 9:00 am June 18, 2007 - Youth Horse Race @ 3:00 pm Lake Odessa Civic & Agricultural Association fair– Lake Odessa June 24, 2007 - Certification Clinic @ 2:00 am June 24, 2007 - Youth Horse Race @ 4:00 pm Isabella County Youth & Farm Fair – Mt. Pleasant August 4, 2007 - Certification Clinic @ 3:00 pm August 4, 2007 - Youth Horse Race @ 5:30 pm (Following Live Racing) Iosco County Agricultural Society fair – Hale July 26, 2007 - Certification Clinic @ 10:00 am July 26, 2007 - Youth Horse Race @ 4:00 pm Marquette County Fair – Marquette August 9, 2007 - Certification Clinic @ 5:30 pm August 9, 2007 - Youth Horse Race @ 7:00 pm Dickinson County Fair – Norway August 29, 2007 - Certification Clinic @ 4:00 pm
www.michigan.gov/yhr
2007 Michigan Youth Horse Racing
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
“Bringing yesterday’s tradition of horse racing back to our youth”
August 29, 2007 - Youth Horse Race @ 6:00 pm Championship Race – Mt. Pleasant Meadows September 15, 2007 Registration @ 7:00 am – Racing @ 9:00 am
PURSE BREAKDOWN At the individual county races, the championship race for each division will be paid $75 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, $25 for 3rd. If qualifying heats are needed to get to the championship race of each division, the qualifying heats will be paid $25 for 1st, $20 for 2nd and $15 for 3rd. o Example, if there is only enough participants in the pony division to have one heat, a qualifying heat is not needed, and the championship race will be paid out at $75 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, $25 for 3rd. o However, if there is enough participants in the pony division to have two or more heats, each qualifying heat will be paid at $25 for 1st, $20 for 2nd and $15 for 3rd with the championship race paying $75 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, $25 for 3rd.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deb Holton Michigan Department of Agriculture Fairs, Exhibitions and Racing Division P.O. Box 30017 Lansing, MI 48909 517-373-9775 (Ph) 517-241-4217 (Fax) Holtond@michigan.gov (Email)
Or
Tammy Lewis Great Lakes Quarter Horse Association 616-696-1032 TammyLewis@LWR.com
www.michigan.gov/yhr