Meet the Staff

Recently, Katie Vermilyea, the Education Coordinator here at the Museum, was profiled on the College of St. Rose English Department Blog. Learn about her day-to-day responsibilities and her alma mater here.

Harness Racing Hits Newsstands!

Orange Magazine is the complimentary publication available throughout Orange County, NY that highlights the diverse people and towns that make it such a unique place to live. The October/November issue just hit our tourism information kiosk and we were very excited to see the feature article devoted to harness racing! Read about two drivers who, in the face of the tough economy, have turned to harness racing to provide them with new career opportunities. The article also features some great photographs of Goshen's Historic Track, located just behind the Museum!

Read an excerpt and explore images from the article on their website. You can pick up a copy of Orange Magazine at the Museum or tourist information kiosks around the county.

Now on Twitter!

The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame is now on Twitter! Follow our daily operations by visiting http://twitter.com/harnessmuseum.

Also, if you haven't found us on Facebook, what are you waiting for?

"Drive to Win" Travelling Exhibit appearing in Delaware, OH

Don't forget to stop by and say hello to the Harness Racing Museum's representatives, who will be at the Delaware, OH fair during Grand Circuit Week!

Harness Racing’s Hall of Fame traveling exhibit “A Drive To Win” will be on display in the Jugette Barn throughout the Delaware, OH Grand Circuit Week (September 20-24).

The display, which has been made possible by the sponsorship of Hanover Shoe Farms, features 27 trainers and drivers which through circumstance, choice, design or fate, did not rise to stardom.

Among the 27 featured horsemen are six from the Buckeye State of Ohio: Hugh Bell (Delaware), Joe Lighthill (Deshler), Ervin Samples (Willshire), Forrest Short (Circleville), Colby Turner (Wilmington) and Lew Williams (Cadiz).

Lew Williams became the first African-American to be inducted into the Peter Haughton Hall of Immortals in 2008 at Goshen, NY. He was just sixteen when he scored his first two career victories with the gelding Dugo Silver Girl on the Ohio county fair circuit. In 1989, when he died from injuries suffered in a tractor accident while helping a neighbor, Lew had accumulated 2,023 winning drives, 19 1:55 miles and earned $8,834 million in purses. He was only 42 years old.

Williams won driving titles at The Meadowlands and Northfield Park where he was a Wall of Fame inductee in 1990. He also drove two horses in the Little Brown Jug, Whata Baron (1975) and Barr’s Robert D (1977).

Innovative and creative, Lew modernized the sport by introducing a new way to race. Lew’s strategy focussed on making moves early, which forced other drivers to make bad decisions.

Delaware native Hugh Bell was the son of a horse trainer and he won his first race at age fourteen behind Gypsy Girl in 1916 at the Delaware County Fair in Powell. At eighteen, he drove at the Ohio State Fair against such notable horsemen as Doc Parshall. In the 1950’s Bell was a much sought after catch driver, winning driving titles at Yonkers and Roosevelt Raceway. Bell had 1,684 lifetime wins and career winnings of more than $3.5 million.

Joe Lighthill was called “the best catch-driver in the sport” by Delvin Miller and “the best conditioner of young trotters in harness racing “by Frank Ervin. His career began in 1943 when he became the youngest professional driver in Ohio at age fifteen. He won his first race the following year at Ottawa, OH. After serving in the Army from 1946-48, Lighthill returned home and opened his own stable. He won with such great horses as Meadow Skipper, Countess Adios, Kerry Way, Tender Loving Care and Peter Lobell. He finished his career with 2,272 wins and $6.98 lifetime winnings.

Ervin Samples had been a farmer and truck driver early in his life until, at the age of 41, he turned to harness racing and became an expert catch driver, earning the nickname “Speedy Samples.” He also developed into an active harness horse owner and breeder. He was named top driver at Lebanon Raceway, Washington Park and Scioto Downs. He became a member of the 1,000 Win Club in 1970.

Forrest Short’s career in horses actually began during World War 1 when eh served as his captain’s mounted orderly. He later became a member of the Pickaway County Fair Board andwas a member of the fair’s speed committee for many years. He won the first race ever held at Scioto Downs’ opening night in 1959 and was one of the track’s leading percentage drivers for many years. In 1958 and 1959 he trained the well-known double-gaited world champion Steamin’ Demon. He also competed regularly at The Meadows, Buffalo Raceway and The Red Mile.

Wilmington native Colby Turner, who was born in 1880, began working with horses at an early age. Tragedy struck when he was only nine years old when he lost both arms (to the elbow) in a terrible accident involving a horse-drawn mower. In order to drive, Turner would use his teeth to wrap the reins around what remained of his arm and then hooked his whip between those lines. In the mid-1940’s, Turner was hired as a trainer-driver for Hall of Fame Immortal McKinley Kirk. Together they developed outstanding horses including world champion Amortizor

Below is the complete list of Drive To Win drivers and trainers, including the birth and death dates and their place of birth.

Angus Allen--Halifax, Nova Scotia (1916-2004)
Richard Baker--Hanover, PA (1904-1989)
Hugh Allison Bell--Delaware, OH ((1902-1975)
Edwin Bither--Maine (1851-1923)
Harry Burright--Oregon, IL (1916-1997)
Vernon Crank--Elizabeth City, NC (1931-1984)
Harold R. Dancer--Imlaystown, NJ (1912-1981)
Norman Dauplaise--Drummondville, Quebec (1940-2003)
Alfred (Bucky) Day--Danville, NH (1929-1985)
Bea Farber Erdman--Emmett, MI (1940-)
George Forshey--Ford Edward, NY (1924-1989)
Hilda Heydt--Germany (1926-)
Maxie Ervin Lee--Hoffman, NC (1930-2001)
Joe Lighthill--Deshler, OH 1928-2006)
Howard Parker--Windsor, VT (1903-1983)
George Phalen--Plaistow, NH (1922-1991)
James A. “Jimmy” Rankin--St. Catherines, Ontario (1949-1983)
Robert D. “Robbie” Rankin--St. Catherines, Ontario (1958-1990)
Ervin Samples--Willshire, OH (1909-1975)
Forrest Short--Circleville, OH (1894-1975)
Phyllis Smith Page--Gardiner, ME
Harold Snodgrass--Muncie, IN (1911-1998)
Colby Turner--Wilmington, OH (1880-1975)
Siegfried Sacher “Satch” Warner--Austria (1898-1983)
John (Tic) Wilcutts--Magnolia, DE (1919-1984)
Lew Williams--Cadiz, OH (1947-1989)
Mildred Williams--Ameliasburg, Ontario (1916-2008)

2009 Goshen Firemen's Parade

High wheel sulkies went the way of the Dodo Bird in 1892, making way for the smaller, more efficient and safer smaller-wheeled bicycle sulky. However, after Saturday’s Firemen’s Parade in downtown Goshen, New York, it appeared to onlookers that this cumbersome-looking vehicle may be making a comeback, or was it the ghost of drivers past?

Amateur driver George Casale, of the Brooklyn Cowboy Stable, driving Masters Light, a 7 year old Standardbred who had raced the previous night at Pocono Downs for the Mark Ford Stable, proudly trundled down Goshen’s Main Street, following in the hoof prints of the stars of the racetrack, the farmers and the swells of a century or more ago; George wearing the old-style driving jacket, doffing his cap and waving to onlookers and Masters Light basking in the limelight – it was better than the Winner’s Circle! They were followed by amateur driver Gerry Fielding of the Snowflake Stable, driving Up Front Todd, a never-raced but impeccably behaved 2-year-old. They were turned out in modern-style with the latest in race bikes, the quick hitch, and the safety helmet.

Completing the entourage were marshals Kelly Ford and John Capriotti of the Mark Ford Stable and banner’s identifying the Museum and the Horse Adoption Fair on October 17^th which were carried by Museum docents Jenah George and Leah Freeman. Bringing up the rear (aptly) was Hall of Fame Harry (volunteer Ryan Ulrich) who, with his docent friend and guide (because he couldn’t see where he was going) Cassie Graves, freely dispensed candies to everyone!

“Harness Racing Then & Now,” The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame’s parade entry was a major crowd pleaser and obviously drew a nod from the parade judges who presented leader George Casale with a parade trophy.

Gerry Fielding


Cassie, one of our Museum docents, and our very own Hall of Fame Harry


The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame


George Casale


George Casale holding the 2009 Parade Participant trophy

Racing Breeds Adoption Fair October 17, 2009

The USTA and the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame will team up to present an adoption fair, featuring race horses and greyhounds, on Saturday, October 17. The event will be held at the Museum, on 240 Main Street in Goshen, N.Y., from noon to 3 p.m.

About a dozen Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds, ready for adoption, will be housed as guests of adjacent Historic Track, located behind the Museum. The horses can be viewed by prospective adopters at the track and learn more about the groups offering them for adoption at booths in the Museum. Both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred Retirement Foundations will send horses looking for a home, along with Equine Rescue Resource, located near the Museum in neighboring Pine Bush, N.Y.

Also joining the adoption fair will be a few greyhounds seeking a permanent home through Greyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation, of Cross River, N.Y. Since horse owners must also have a barn cat to keep rodents out of horse’s grain, the Goshen Animal Shelter will have cats in need of a job on display for potential adopters. The greyhounds and cats will be on hand to greet prospective adopters in the Museum, as only horses will be at Historic Track. All groups will have booths at the Museum.

Those who cannot adopt a horse, dog or cat, can find out about other ways to help the equine, canine and feline adoption groups, including volunteering, providing foster care or providing a donation.

“As part of our mission to present the best about racing, we’re happy to educate visitors about the many terrific horses and dogs off the track and looking for a new job,” said Museum President Ebby Gerry. “After Saratoga County, there are more horses in Orange County than anywhere else in New York. The Museum is in a good position to help put together people looking for a horse with the right animal for them and we’re happy to provide the venue.”

There is no charge to attend the adoption fair. The Museum will donate a portion of the day’s gift shop proceeds to each of the groups in attendance.

Traveling Exhibit Schedule

"A Drive To Win" on display at the Saratoga Harness Hall of Fame

The traveling exhibit “A Drive To Win” continues its successful journey across country. Having been enjoyed by large crowds at the Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa, Canada in the spring, it traveled to the Saratoga Harness Racing Hall of Fame for the month of June. Cobleskill Fair, Cobleskill, NY welcomed the presentation for several weeks in August after which it went to the Miami County Fair, Troy, OH. It is now set to appear, for the next two weeks, at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs in New York State. It will then journey to The Little Brown Jugette Barn at the Delaware County Fair, OH for Jug week, September 15 through 24 before The Red Mile’s Stable of Memories welcomes it from September 29 through October 9. The current final date scheduled for 2009 will find it at Scarborough Downs, Scarborough, ME where it can be seen from October 17 through October 24.

The presentation, which has been made possible by the sponsorship of Hanover Shoe Farms, Hanover, PA, and is a production of The Harness Racing Museum in Goshen, NY, is dedicated to harness racing drivers and trainers who make every race possible but through circumstance, choice, design or fate, do not rise to stardom. Because of its success, the sponsor, Hanover Shoe Farms of Hanover, PA, has provided a regrant which will allow the very popular exhibit to accept applications for engagements in 2010.

“The Story of Harness Racing by Currier & Ives” continues to delight all. One of the three available components, consisting of more than thirty original Currier & Ives lithographs, has been in residence at the Nordiska TravMuseet, Arjang, Sweden since March. It is scheduled to travel to the Stockholms Travsallskap Solvalla race track in Sweden after November. A second component is currently on exhibit at the Hoyt Institute of Fine Art, New Castle PA. That engagement concludes on October 23. This free traveling exhibit is made possible by the CTW Foundation of Wilmington DE and Robert Tucker of Stonegate Standardbred Farms, Glen Gardiner, NJ. Applications are now being accepted for 2010 locations.

The museum’s Poster Series “What Is Harness Racing,” available free to fairs nationwide, has been enjoyed by harness racing fans at Monticello Raceway, NY in May, the Afton Fair, Afton, NY for two weeks in July and the Otsego County Fair, Morris, NY in the beginning of August. It will be seen at Richwood Independent Fair, Richwood, OH from September 2 through 7. This harness racing marketing tool is also provided, free of charge by the CTW Foundation and Robert Tucker’s Stonegate Standardbred Farms. Applications to host this informative promotional product are invited.

All the exhibits are available free of charge from The Harness Racing Museum, 240 Main Street, Goshen, NY; phone: 845.294.6330 or contact library@harnessmuseum.com for host applications and facility criteria.

New Exhibit: The Richard Stone Reeves Retrospective

A portion of the new exhibit currently featured in the Carriage Room

Richard Stone Reeves (1919-2005) will be inducted as a Harness Racing Hall of Fame Immortal on Sunday, July 4, 2010. To recognize his important work chronicling significant Standardbreds of the last century, for the next twelve months, the museum has installed, in The Carriage Room, a presentation of his oil paintings and prints.

Richard Stone Reeves, described as “one of the premier equine artists in the world” by The New York Times, introduced a unique perspective to the tradition of equine portraiture in the mid-1940s. This well-known equine painter added a lifelike dimension to otherwise two-dimensional canvases by placing equal emphasis on his subjects’ physical attributes and psychological characteristics. Not afraid to leave his studio, Reeves regularly traveled to tracks and training facilities to study his four-legged subjects and talk to their owners, trainers and drivers, to better understand the horses’ personalities. The result was a lifetime of stunning portraits that magnificently captured the character and individuality of each equine subject.

Although Reeves has become known primarily for his Thoroughbred portraiture, his roots were firmly embedded in the Standardbred community. Born in Manhattan on November 6, 1919, young Reeves indulged his passion for horses and art by spending his free time sketching Standardbreds at the nearby Mineola Fairgrounds, later the grounds of Roosevelt Raceway. It was there that he met Immortal Harry Pownall, who later became Arden Homestead Stables’ driver/trainer. Pownall was Reeves’ first patron in 1934 when he paid him $10 for a watercolor painting of Hanover Maid.

Reeves received his BA in Fine Arts from Syracuse University in 1941; however, he put his art career on hold to serve his country in World War II. It was during the four years he served in the US Navy, that Reeves fortuitously met fellow naval officer Robert G. Johnson, president of Roosevelt Raceway on Long Island, NY. Due to this fateful acquaintance Reeves obtained his first official commission: to paint portraits of the top trotters and pacers of 1946 for the flagship race track’s clubhouse.

Following Reeves’ Roosevelt experience, his fame spread rapidly within the Standardbred and Thoroughbred communities. He received commissions from prominent horsemen and art collectors that included the Aga Khan, Stanley Dancer, Elbridge T. Gerry, Sr., Harry Guggenheim, Roland Harriman, Paul Mellon, Delvin Miller and Ronald Reagan. His star subjects include Standardbreds Meadow Skipper, Nevele Pride, Adios, Speedy Somolli, and Cardigan Bay and Thoroughbreds Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and Nijinsky. In summing up his years at the easel Reeves reflected, “My painting career started with the trotters. They’ve been good to me.” Richard Stone Reeves passed away October 7, 2005 in Greenport, NY, at the age of eighty-five.