| arness horse racing dates back to many centuries | | | | found. |
| ago, the history of modern harness racing began in | | | | According to the Goshen Historic Track’s |
| America during the later 1700’s and, by the | | | | website, the track itself was established in 1838, and |
| beginning of the 19th century, this sport became a | | | | is not only the oldest active trotting track in the |
| huge and notorious crowd-pleasing pastime | | | | world, it’s also a National Historic Landmark. It |
| throughout the country. Originally taking place over | | | | was the home of The Hambletonian Stakes from |
| country dirt roads, race tracks were constructed | | | | 1930 through 1956. Referred to as Historic |
| during the mid 1800’s, soon making harness | | | | Track, 2010 will mark its 100th year of Grand |
| racing the sweeping focal point of nationwide country | | | | Circuit Racing, as well as the 49th year of Matinee |
| fairs in the years immediately following. The fact that | | | | Racing. On their own track to a professional career in |
| there is a current following of millions of fans and | | | | the harness racing industry, many young drivers use |
| spectators, in more than 30 countries, is a true | | | | this program to gain experience on their way up. |
| testament to the continued popularity of harness | | | | Goshen Historic Track, Inc. is a non-profit organization |
| horse racing. More than $3 billion are spent on wagers | | | | dedicated to the preservation of Historic Track, in |
| annually, and a specific lingo accompanies the betting, | | | | addition to serving as a working facility for horsemen |
| a couple of examples being handicapping and | | | | from all over the region, as well as a cultural, |
| pari-mutuel. | | | | convention and community center for the people of |
| Also known as Standardbred racing, the U.S. | | | | Goshen and the surrounding Orange County. |
| heritage of every Standardbred horse owes its | | | | The Hall of Fame of The Trotter, the Harness Racing |
| beginnings to the original, named Hambletonian, born | | | | Museum, and the Goshen Historic Track all offer |
| in the Orange County, NY hamlet of Sugar Loaf. It | | | | numerous events, suitable and enjoyable for all age |
| was a new breed that required the horse to attain a | | | | groups. This includes community functions, youth |
| specific standard of time for a one mile distance | | | | group programs, races, concerts, festivals and so |
| which, to this day, remains the standard distance in | | | | much more. |
| almost every harness race. | | | | Make a trip to Goshen, NY. little more than an hour |
| Just a stone’s throw from Sugar Loaf and | | | | from Manhattan, and treat yourself to a few days of |
| also located in Orange County, NY, is the very | | | | fun, history and exploration. You will not be |
| charming and historic town of Goshen NY, where the | | | | disappointed and, while visiting, consider the possibility |
| legendary Goshen Historic Track, Hall of Fame of The | | | | of living here as a full-time or, perhaps, as a summer |
| Trotter and the Harness Racing Museum can all be | | | | home, resident. |