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CHRISTIAN HARNESS HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

John Klark, Director of Activities

239 Joy-Klark Park, Wells river, VT 05081

Ph 802-429-2841

E-mail: klarkjx3@pivot.net

A fellowship for those who know Jesus Christ as Savior.

A ministry to those who do not.

 

“In God We Trust”

 

Directors Page

Director of Activities- John Klark  239 Joy-Klark Park, Wells River, VT  05081  802-429-2841  klarkjx3@pivot.net

 

It’s For Your Own Good

Confine, conform, submit, obey – things we all enjoy, correct? Consider yourself the teamster of a six-horse hitch pulling a stagecoach that needs an immediate undercarriage repair requiring lying under the coach wheels. At this time, do you wish for safe, sound horses or flashy, flighty horses? To compound this situation, imagine two yearling colts racing up to the adjacent fence screaming a challenge to race and run free in tall green feed where cool clear streams flow by shade trees. The colts scream, “Tired, weak, solemn, afraid!” at the teams without reply.

Not long after, the colts learn the feel of a lariat during the annual roundup. Soon after capture they are subjected to a dirty dusty round pen with tall plank fencing. Bits, bridles, girths and whips follow. The colts scream, “Torture, death and bondage!” The more rebellious colt is able to leap over the pen wall and flee to its old ways and freedom. The remaining colt submits his will and finds his trainer to be fair, firm, patient and quiet with a pleasant voice. But soon a harness, shoes, hopples, boots and other restraints and burdens are making the colt wish he had escaped to freedom also.

In a few months the colt is making orderly, efficient speed when hooked to a jog cart on the road. A drought and famine soon spread over the farmland and the grass turns brown and brittle while the streams dry up to only mud puddles. The free colt runs in circles on weak wobbly legs in search of his next meal and is amazed to see his brother jogging, looking fit and plump with rippling muscles and a beautiful polished coat! His master has a full mow of hay and elevators holding grain and corn.

Our Master has to pass over many of us as not fit for greater responsibilities in His Kingdom if we will not trust and obey Him and submit to His training program. We are still His people and exceedingly loved by Him, but if we rebel, His chastening may be grievous and hard to endure. Fear not His training and correction, nor the constraints of His bit and harness, for the results and glory are worth it all! He will keep us well fed and spiritually nourished. He will make us fit for His Kingdom work. Abide in His house. It’s for your own good!

            Parts of this message were inspired by a tract, “The Harness of the Lord,” written by Bill Britton and obtained from Pinecrest Bible Training Center, Salisbury Center, NY.

 

Travel News: I’ve been to Rockingham five times this summer: visited with many, set up our display once, sponsored one race cooler and done some volunteer work. Been to Bangor twice and also to the Hambletonian. We will be at Plainridge on Labor Day and Delaware, OH during Jug Week. Hope to see you! God bless, JK

 

Been Thinking-----Weldon Stockwell

“To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice” I Samuel 15:22

    Webster’s definition of “obey” is- 1--- “To carry out the demands of:” 2--- “To comply with a command, order, or request.”

    I’m sure the most familiar commands of the Bible are- The 10 Commandants. Probably most of us can’t repeat all 10 of them, let alone obey them. So I got to thinking about that and decided I would do a little research on the word-“obey”. Since I’m not a Hebrew or Greek student I decided I would get on the internet and see what some of the language scholars had to say about, ‘obey”. Here are some of my conclusions-

    When the Old and New Testaments urge us to “obey” God, the first meaning of the original Hebrew and Greek words is often “to listen” or “to give attention to.” For instance, the same Hebrew word that frequently shows up as “obey” in our English Bibles is translated “hear” in the famous, (Deuteronomy 6:4).“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, is one Lord :” KJV

    In the New Testament, the Greek word translated “obey” means to be persuaded, according to Vine’s Dictionary, the emphasis is not on submission to authority, but on action resulting from being convinced by reason and truth.  Would it make a difference if, instead of saying, “Obey Me,” Jesus said, “Listen to Me. For your sake, I want your attention. I don’t just want your dutiful compliance. I want you to love me because I love you“. What if we asked Him to help us hear more than our moral obligation to Him? What if we stopped talking long enough to hear Him whisper, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Would we be more likely to hear Jesus say, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27)

    When we listen carefully to His voice in Scripture, we don’t hear someone consumed by authority and control. Instead, we hear a love that says, “Come to me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)

     Even though Jesus has every right to demand our immediate and unqualified obedience, He approaches us gently, appealing not only to our will but to our minds and hearts. In the last chapters of the Bible, He is still saying to a lost and dying world, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20 KJV)

 

Memorials

There were no memorial contributions this past month.

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS to these outstanding and deserving young people who have been chosen to receive CHHA scholarships.

 

KRISTIN BURNS of Milford Center, OH, is the daughter of Roy and Melissa Burns.  Kristin will attend her first year of college at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH, to focus on sports medicine with a goal of a degree in Physical Therapy.  She has been involved with harness racing throughout her life on her family farm where her dad raises, trains and races.  Throughout high school she has been a leader serving as class president, vice president of FFA, treasurer of National Honor Society, Student Council and was an Honor/Merit Roll student.  She lettered in three sports each year and was a scholar athlete.  She was in 4-H, Junior Fair Board, CIA Youth Group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visited nursing homes and participated in Dance for the Cure fundraiser.  In addition to working on the farm, she is an Abercrombie model and also has cared for children.  She is active in her church Sunday school, CIA youth group, plays, dinners and fundraisers.  Her goal is to share her faith with others and grow with them as well. 

 

CORY DEYERMAND of Jefferson, OH, is the son of Larry and Patricia DeyErmand.  Cory plans to attend Ohio State University in Lima, OH, where he will study Biology/Pre-dentistry.  Cory has been involved with harness racing for his entire life.  He is a third generation horseman earning his grooms license at fourteen and recently was licensed as a qualifying/fair driver. Cory has been active in little league, bowling, Boy Scouts, FFA, chorus, track, football, basketball and in baseball, his specialty.  He received numerous awards and maintained a high GPA.  Cory's work history has been centered around raising and racing harness horses on the family farm.  During the school year he works at Steiner Stock Farm as a stable manager.  He was raised in a Catholic family and credits the church for his humble attitude that he feels is his greatest characteristic in terms of reaching his overall goals.  He is also active in a Nazarene youth group involved in numerous activities such as Sports Blast at Mount Vernon Nazarene.  Events such as this have greatly inspired him.  His ultimate life goal is to find the right balance between family, work and God.

 

ANDREW DIDONATO of Bridgeville, PA, is the son of Reverend Joseph and Marcella DiDonato.  Andrew will be attending his third year at Grove City College in Grove City, PA, continuing his studies in Business Management.  Andrew's involvement with harness racing has been through his father, Rev. Joe DiDonato, chaplain at the Meadows.  He has been going to the track with his dad since he was five years old.  He assists his dad teaching Children's Church and Vacation Bible School.  In high school he received many awards as a four-year letterman on football and basketball teams, was a National Honor Society member, Who's Who Among H.S. Students, Who's Who Among H.S. Athletes, Congressional Leadership Conference Invitee.  His community service included youth basketball camp instructor, umpire and referee; youth football instructor; early childhood development helper; fundraising for charities and non-profit groups; helping his father in ministry for community outreach.  In college he is a Bible Study leader, member of the Academic Integrity Committee, Dean's List and President's Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll.   He became the all-time passer leader in Grove City College history.  During Spring Break he attended a mission trip to Guatemala where they ministered at an orphanage.  This summer he is an intern with the Pittsburgh Steelers in their management/marketing department.  His goal is to work with children or have a career as a high school or college football coach.           

 

MELISSA LANDIS of Decatur, IN, is the daughter of Randy and Debbie Landis. She is a third year student and will continue her education at Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN, pursuing a Bachelors in Nursing with the hope of specializing in pediatrics.  This would allow her to combine her love of children and her desire to help others.  Missy's background in horses evolved through her parents as 4-H volunteers.  She finished ten years in the Adams County 4-H Horse & Pony Club and was elected president for four years.  She is in her second year as the Mini Horse & Pony Leader for Adams County and is excited to give back to a club that gave so much to her.  Her interest in harness horses is through her uncle who raises trotters.  She spent many hours helping with the breeding, foaling and sales preparation   She is a member of the Indiana Horse Council, Indiana Standardbred Association and CHHA.  Missy was a student council representative and class officer during her four years in high school, a member of the Sunshine Society which raises money for a local hospital, National Honor Society, teachers aid and cadet teacher helping an autistic child, Club International, Students Making A Difference, FFA and Who's Who of American High School Students.  She was also a student in the vocational Health Occupations Education class, has walked in the Hope Center Walk For Life and  participated in numerous fundraising events.  She works every other weekend as a Unit Secretary on the Medical/Surgery unit of a hospital and during breaks as a CAN.  She has worked on a dairy farm and at an express photo center.  During high school Missy was a member of Campus Life Student Leaders, spreading the news of Jesus Christ.  She chose Indiana Wesleyan University because of the spiritual atmosphere on campus.  She attends Chapel and Bible Study and says she is learning more about Him and the plans He has for her life.

 

CHELSEA MASSIE of Sycamore, OH, is the daughter of Curtis and Jeanne Massie.  She will attend her first year of college at The University of Findlay in Findlay, OH, studying Pre-veterinary Medicine.  She is the fourth generation of her family involved with harness racing.  She has groomed for her parents and uncle and has worked several summers at Brian Brown Stables.  She owns and shows Quarter and Paint horses through 4-H where she has been a member for ten years.  In FFA, where she has been a member for four years, she received her Greenhand, Chapter and State degrees and was chaplain and student advisor.  She is in Who's Who Among American

Students, received the Governor's Award of Excellence in Material Science, member of National Honor Society and Art Club.  She also played high school softball.  She was involved with the Nursery Barn at the Wyandot County Fair and Apple Butter Days teaching second graders the importance of farm animals and crops.  She helped clubs clean community highways and take animals to retirement homes.  She dressed as a cartoon character for The Fantasy Of Lights that raises money for local charities.  She helped with the 5K run during Family Fest and donated sports equipment to Project Tanzania where her school was teamed with another school that was building a house for underprivileged children and families.  During her years of FFA as chaplain, she conducted many invocations and gave students spiritual advice. 

 

JACOB MURPHY of Sunbury, OH, is the son of Matt and Lisa Murphy.  He plans to continue at Ohio University in Athens, OH.  His course of study is Middle Childhood Education.  His goal is to become a middle-childhood science teacher and to help inner-city children with learning disabilities reach their full potential in science.   Jake's plan to become a teacher was influenced by the teachers, mentors and role models (parents, 4-H advisors, coaches, neighbors, friends, youth group leaders) in his life.  Jake was raised on Success Acres Standardbred Farm where he proudly became a paid employee and worked full time the summer he was eleven.  His involvement is with the breeding of  harness horses, but he enjoys the races and follows the careers of the horses raised by his family.  After Jake becomes a teacher he plans to work summers on the farm.  He is a volunteer at the Beacon School for handicapped children, volunteer as a reading tutor at Coolville Elementary School, is a member of the OU Boxing Club Team and, with his family, has raised pilot dogs for the blind.  When he is not in school or working, Jake enjoys fishing, hiking, camping and mountain biking.  In addition to working as a farm laborer, he has registered patients in the emergency room at a local hospital, held multiple jobs in the OU dining hall, and washed dishes in a pizza facility.  Jake says his greatest role models outside of home were his youth group leaders from St. John Neumann Catholic Church.  He went on many retreats and missions in youth group including trips to Washington D.C. for the March For Life, trips to Appalachia to work on houses for the poor, and a trip to Canada to see Pope John Paull II for World Youth Day.  He says the group leaders helped open his eyes to the importance of faith is our lives.

 

BRITTANY SCHWARTZ of Strasburg, PA, is the daughter of Paul and Priscilla Schwartz.  She will return to Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA, where she will continue in Equine Studies with a minor in business.  Her goal is to own a training facility where she could breed, train and board horses.  Brittany became interested in harness horses when she started working as a stable hand at Groff's Training Stable.  She obtained a Groom's License.  As she gained experience doing the basic barn chores, she moved on to driving horses and helping with the yearlings.  At Delaware Valley College she has been working in the Standardbred breeding facility that includes breeding, training, barn management and business management.  She was an intern at Hanover Shoe Farm during 2008 spring break and will intern at Nandi Farms this summer.  During high school she was in National Honor Society, served as class president, was on the student advisory committee, a member of several clubs.  She participated in track & field, cross country, indoor track and soccer receiving numerous awards.  She continues to excel in academics and athletics at DVC.  Her volunteer work includes Adopt A Highway, mission trip to the Dominican Republic, Landis Homes Retirement Community, Christ's Home for Children, and tutoring.   In addition to working at Groff's Training Stable, she works at Cherry Crest Farm in Paradise, PA, where she was a cashier and also in entertainment and maintenance.  Brittany says that through having Christian parents, attending Christian schools, being actively involved in youth groups, and attending church regularly, her walk with Christ has grown significantly over the years.  Her recent trip to the Dominican Republic opened her eyes to the need for world ministry.  After college she plans to continue doing the Lord's work taking additional mission trips.

 

KELLEY SMITH of Trenton, OH, is the son of Randall Smith and Kathy Adams-Smith.  He will begin his first year of college at Michigan State University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources located in East Lansing, MI.  He plans to major in Fisheries and Wildlife with an emphasis in ecology and conservation.  His goal is to help educate others about how our actions affect the planet and to shift our way of living to be more environmentally sensible.  His equine interest is in harness racing as a spectator.  He often visited his uncle, Joe Essig, Sr, at his training barn and observed the respect, patience and firm but gentle kindness that he offered the horses.  Kelley often helped around the barn loading and unloading straw and hay.  During high school, Kelley was a member of National Honor Society (President senior year), Drinking & Drug Free Prom, Spanish Honor Society, Concert Band, Marching Band, physical education aid for mentally and physically challenged, Cincinnati Junior Olympians/Archery, Honor Roll four years and volunteer four years at Hueston Woods State Park.  He became interested in archery at a young age and continues to be very involved today.  He and his parents have worked together to plan and finance his competition trips throughout the country that rewarded him not only with medals but also with many life lessons.  He currently works at a pizzeria as cook/dishwasher and has been a farmhand, mowed and done odd jobs for neighbors and had various duties working at a local IGA.  His parents began his spiritual journey by having him baptized as a baby.  They attend church regularly, assist in fundraisers and dinners and teach Vacation Bible School.  Kelley grew up knowing the importance of faith and prayer and in sixth grade made his personal decision to be baptized.  He looks forward to participating in a mission program in college.

 

JENNIFER STOCKWELL of Sunbury, OH, is the daughter of Mark Stockwell and Wendy Stockwell.  She plans to continue her studies in English and Theater at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.  Her goal is to get a masters degree in education and become a teacher and a director of a theater program.  She hopes to teach at Big Walnut in Sunbury, OH.  Jennifer was raised as a child of a harness racing family spending her early years at the Delaware County Fairgrounds before her family moved to a farm in the country.  She traveled to races and fairs and was a helper at races and around the farm.  During elementary school and through high school, Jennifer was actively involved in 4-H and Girl Scouts.  She was in National Honor Society, History Honors Society, theater, drama club, band and choir.  She has worked at OSU Stores and currently at OSU Childcare.  Jennifer is a member of Xenos Christian Fellowship and says that through this group she has become educated in theology and has received leadership training and experience.  She hopes to learn to serve her brothers and sisters selflessly and give the good news to others.  She has taken mission trips to Tennessee and Ecuador and would like to do short-term mission trips to South America, eventually leading a student trip there.

 

    (The CHHA scholarship committee, Beth Cain Coordinator, was able to share $ 8,000.00 with these 9 recipients. $5,000.00 of that came from the stallion auction proceeds and $3,000.00 from interest on the Rambling Willie Memorial CD.)

 

 

 

Email---responses:

    On 6/30/08 I sent out the following email to all 209 email addresses on the CHHA email list. In return I got a lot of nice responses and several sent email cards. Also a nice number of regular mail cards. Thanks to all who responded and I’ll share just a couple as examples-- ( decided I would not use names)

Email sent-

This is being sent to all 209 addresses we have on the CHHA email list. This will probably be the last email that I will send to this general list. This is my last day as Director of CHHA- tomorrow John Klark takes over and I will in turn share this list of addresses with him. Most of these addresses have been compiled by your contact with me- a few I have gotten from other sources.
Most of you I have also met personally over my 25 years of service with CHHA and I thank you for the help and friendship you have shown to me.
If you would like your address removed from this list before I send it to John Klark- just hit the reply button and put remove in the subject. If you would be interested in membership in CHHA or like to be on our newsletter mailing list  send me your name and address.
In Jesus’ Love,  Weldon Stockwell

Responses-

    Thank you Weldon - I have appreciated being on your list and feeling a part of the Harness Horseman's organization (as a thoroughbred owner/worker).

Bless you as you enjoy the future which will be more than filled.

 

    Weldon I just wanted to let you know what a blessing you have been in our lives. You were more than a friend to mom and dad. Although at the time when they were back in their younger days as people surrounded them at the fairs with them serving others with food and "drink" they thought those were their friends. As dad has told me some of them had true interest in them most were there for the good times. You however came into their lives and became a true friend who became as the Bible says closer than a brother. Thank you for your spiritual guidance in their life. I believe that both came to a saving knowledge in Christ by not only your words but the witness of your life. I pray that God will give you rest from your ministry but I'm sure you will be like Paul continuing to run the good race to the finish and not limping across the finish line but breaking the tape in full stride. May God continue to bless you

 

    I did get one very negative response and what made it really hurt was that I thought we at CHHA had bent over backwards to be of help to that family, but perhaps they just forgot those times..

 

USTA Newsroom: From an article-Free-legged by Dean Hoffman

    Oft times people have asked me about whipping. Whipping is different in the Thoroughbred game than in our sport, but whipping an animal under any circumstances is pretty hard to justify. Would you use a whip on your dog?

    Yes, we can tell people that the driver is whipping the saddle pad or the sulky shaft, but often the listener rolls his or her eyes in disbelief. They know what they see, and they see a driver with a long whip lashing out at the horse in front of him.

    This problem isn’t new and it isn’t going to go away. I think that some judges and some jurisdictions have tightened controls on whipping, but last year I saw the most egregious example of excessive whipping I’ve ever witnessed at the Meadowlands on Hambletonian Day.

    (When I used to set up the CHHA display at Scioto Downs on Family Day a number of people new to horse racing would ask me if whipping the horse hurt them? My answer was- if you whip your child does it hurt them? As far as I’m concerned they ought to burn the whips- maybe even more so for horses than kids.)

 

Our Log Cabin House:

    Well- it’s not really ours but it is here on Ross Rd. A couple of years ago one of the 7 farms that was on the road when I was a kid sold and the new owner started to tear the house down- to his surprise he uncovered a log cabin. It wasn’t a surprise to me because one of my classmates in school was the son of Willie Clark  and they knew when they purchased the farm that a log cabin had been covered over by the front part of the new house built in the early 1900’s.

    Anyway the present owner has left the log cabin standing and chinked in the logs. I stopped and talked to the guy doing the work one time and I asked what kind of chinking he was using. As it turned out it was just something he bought in a can- I got on the internet to see what the original builder might have used- the internet said, ”clay, straw, paper, cloth, and even dried animal dung was often used. for chinking. The latter might be a little hard to find on our road now, because I only know of a few horses on our road. Our daughter Kathy does have a goat and I think that’s it- for animals on this road of what used to be 7 farms- all with draft horses, cows, and other farm animals..

   Kind of nostalgic to drive by the log cabin- but I’m always real glad we don’t have to live in it on below 0 nights. The little building out behind is long gone but it wasn’t so nice on a 0 morning either.

 

Finances:

    The CHHA regular checking account balance as of 7/21/08 was $3,695.33. Contributions for April totaled $1,090.00. 22 members contributed $1,090.00 There were no non-member contributions. No fundraising items sold.

 

A sign of the times:

     At least in Ohio. I have been informed that an October date has been set for the auction sale of the Success Acres Standardbred breeding farm of Sunbury, Oh.. It’s my understanding that longtime managers Matt and Lisa Murphy will be moving to another Success Acres farm near Mt Gilead, Oh. ( I guess that means Lisa will not be riding her bicycle on Ross Rd. much longer.) I well remember when that farm was a Thoroughbred farm and remember it even before that when it was just an ordinary livestock farm like the others of the community. The next farm east is still a dairy with a nice herd of jersey cows. ( I always liked jerseys. The only purebred cows Nancy and I ever owned were jerseys.) With the Success Acres Farm being in Delaware County we can probably look for houses popping up on it in the near future. 

 

Blooded Horse Sale:

    Lord willing, I will have the CHHA display at the August 26- 27-- Blooded Horse Sale in Delaware, Oh. I have kind of lost track of how many years I have been there- but I well remember the first one. A young couple in Delaware, Oh. had called me and said they were from a standardbred family and wanted to talk to me about being members of CHHA. I met with Jack and Cindy Hay in their home. While there I told them about setting up displays in different places and Cindy wanted to know if I did one at the Blooded horse sale? When I told her I had never been there she said, her father was, Bob Thomas, one of the staff of the sale and she would go with me to introduce me to her father and others. The next sale coming up was the August sale and Cindy went with me. As we walked in the front door the first person we saw was her Dad. She introduced us- told him about CHHA and that we would like to set up a display. Bob seemed a little reluctant- but we were just inside the door and there was an empty table right there. Cindy said why can’t we use that one? I don’t remember Bob really giving a reply, but I guess he didn’t say no- So we have been at that same table now for what has to be at least 20 years. Others will be doing most of the sales from now on- but I hope to be able to do the August sale and the OHHA sale at Sunbury, Oh. for at least a few more.

 

In Closing:  

 We have been using this portion of the newsletter to share with you about CHHA finances- I’m going to change it a little to share with you from the nice things that are sent to me by email This months comes from CHHA member Joyce Hollingsworth of  Queen Anne, Md. Nancy and I have worked on it now for quite a little while and we have found 29- that last one eludes us. Let us know when you have found all 30.

 

    There are thirty books of the Bible in this paragraph. Can you find them? This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his johnboat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, the Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, the books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight. Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle of the names are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus. There really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found!