Providing young people with the chance to develop a relationship with harness horses is one of many opportunities the Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF) offers.
The HHYF began in 1976 and is based in Westfield, Ind. Foundation representatives spend the summer traveling to different states, teaching others how to work with the versatile animals and providing educational materials.
HHYF travels to Monmouth County frequently and works with organizations such as the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, according to Jennifer Eick, who is the mother of an HHYF volunteer.
According to its website, the primary mission of HHYF is “to provide young people and their families information and experiences with harness horses in order to foster the next generation of fans and participants.”
The HHYF offers a racetrack and training center program, which consists of either a one-day event, a two-day camp, a five-day camp or a leadership camp that lasts for five days. Each racetrack and training center program allows attendees to interact with raceoffice personnel, and features activities that are performed in a racing stable.
Katie Eick, 14, of Howell, has been volunteering with the organization for two years and teaches children her age how to interact with harness horses.
“In 2012, I started getting involved with the organization because I learned about them through Girl Scouts,” Katie said. In July, Katie visited Gaitway Farms in Manalapan as part of a two-day camp and volunteering experience with HHYF.
“The camp was a lot of fun, and I worked with other counselors and volunteers to teach people how to harness a horse, and I think teaching others taught me how to be a leader,” the young woman said.
The HHYF has been represented at the Monmouth County Fair and has worked with other local organizations.
In 2013, Katie participated in the Open Space Pace with the HHYF at Freehold Raceway. The Open Space Pace highlights the connection between horses and open space in New Jersey, according to its website.
Volunteering her time and teaching others about harness horses is rewarding to Katie.
“It makes me feel really excited and happy to see how the kids are while I am volunteering,” she said.
The HHYF is represented at Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford on the day when the Hambletonian is held.
“Hambletonian Day is similar to the Kentucky Derby, and is a very important race where they select three kids to go to the Meadowlands and participate in an expo,” Katie said.
Katie said young people would have fun participating with the HHYF. For more information about the organization, visit www.hhyf.org.