Hambo Anyone?

It is hard to believe summer has flown by so quickly and the Hambletonian is just 1-1/2 weeks away. We have spent quite a bit of time planning for our coverage—especially now that we have added our video component with Media Manager Rich Johnston. Rich is an award-winning cameraman who has worked for several network affiliates around the country, most recently with Channel 10 here in Columbus. We are so lucky to have gotten him when he made a career change. He has done amazing work with our new “Eye on Harness Racing” and in the coverage of events already, so I know he will offer a great product from the Hambo as well.

In addition to Rich, photographer Mark Hall and managing editor T.J. Burkett will be making the trip with me, as well as one of our editorial interns, Jonathan Marsh, who is a member of the Clyde Hirt Media Workshop this year. Jonathan was a standout student of mine in the Magazine Writing class I teach every quarter at The Ohio State University, and he has been a great part of our staff for the past two quarters. I know it will be a great experience for him, and we are excited to have him there writing for Hoof Beats.

If you can’t be at the Hambo, I know our coverage will make you feel like you were there. But if you do want to attend, I have a special opportunity for you. We have two grandstand seats for the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day that I will make available to the first person who emails me at nkraft@ustrotting.com. But if you do take the tickets, you have to promise to stop by our 11:15-noon autograph session with the drivers in Paddock Park—I’d love to met you! In fact, I’d love to meet any and all of our readers and hope you will take a minute to stop by to say hello. It is for you that we come to work and do our best every day, and we thank you for sticking with us.

Have a great day,

Nicole