Lexington, KY – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Caretaker of the Year. The award, sponsored by Art Zubrod and Leah Cheverie’s Fair Island Farm in partnership with the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), recognizes the sport’s unsung heroes: the caregivers who maintain the health and well-being of the horses every day.
Any caretaker who works for a stable or farm in North America is eligible to be honored as a Fair Island Farm Caretaker of the Year. All that is required to nominate is an email of at least 200 WORDS from an individual or group, describing the caregiver’s skills and special qualities.
The Fair Island Farm Caretaker of the Year will receive a cash prize of $2,500, as well as transportation expenses to the USHWA Dan Patch Awards Banquet in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday evening, February 22, 2026, where he or she will be recognized and receive a trophy. The winner will also enjoy a two-night stay at Rosen Shingle Creek, host hotel for the USHWA activities, as well as two complimentary dinner tickets.
“Leah and I are honored to continue the tradition of recognizing caregivers and the hard work they do every day,” said Zubrod. “And it is especially satisfying to honor one most deserving person as Manager of the Year.”
Initially titled the Groom of the Year Award when it was first presented in 1982, the honor was established as a result of a suggestion by Delvin Miller at the annual Harness Tracks of America meeting when he received the Stanley F. Bergstein Messenger Award from HTA. The tradition was previously sponsored annually by HTA and Hanover Shoe Farms, but was continued in 2015 by MGM Northfield Park and USHWA, with Fair Island Farm in 2019.
“The US Harness Writers Association is once again pleased to honor the Caretaker of the Year during our Dan Patch Awards presentation,” said USHWA President Michael Carter. “Many thanks to Art and Leah for sponsoring this award through their Fair Island Farm. The keepers are so important to this sport, and it is extremely gratifying to be able to work with Fair Island Farm in recognizing these outstanding individuals.”
The winner will be chosen by an eight-member selection committee made up of USHWA members, all of whom are former caregivers: Tim Bojarski (chairman), Kim Rinker, Tom Charters, Moira Fanning, Jessica Hallett, Dean Hoffman, Mary McDermott and Shawn Wiles.
All nomination emails should be sent to Committee Chair Bojarski at a159star@gmail.com and received before Sunday December 7, 2025.
Through Ken Weingartnerfor the USTA
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