All that is needed to nominate a groom for the 20th annual Caretaker of the Year award is a nominating letter from an individual or group to Harness Tracks of America detailing the skills and special qualities of the caretaker. The winning caretaker receives an oil painting of himself or herself with the horse of their choice. All individuals nominated for the award receive a certificate of excellence, and the first 50 grooms nominated also receive an embroidered jacket as a Caretaker of the Year nominee.
The Caretaker of the Year Award was founded in 1982 after Delvin Miller, addressing attendees at the annual HTA meeting as its Messenger Award winner for that year, noted the sport gave no recognition to its grooms, its unsung stars.
The 2000 Caretaker of the Year was Charlotte Hamilton of Letts, Iowa. Her granddaughters Tessa and Lean Roland wrote, “She cares for about a dozen horses on a 25-acre farm we all call ‘horse heaven.’ Any horse lucky enough to be under her care knows how true that description is.”
The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2001. All entries detailing why candidates are deserving of the honor as Caretaker of the Year should be mailed to Harness Tracks of America, 4640 East Sunrise, Suite 200, Tucson, AZ 85718. Nominations also may be submitted by fax, at: (520) 529-2325, or by e-mail at: harness@azstarnet.com. Letters must contain the name, address, telephone number, and jacket size of the nominated groom, along with the name, address, and telephone number of the nominator.
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