Letter From The President

Welcome to the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association website.  Our organization has been active since 1947 and strives to serve the Standardbred horse owners, breeders, trainers, and drivers of Michigan.

The Board and I strive to protect the financial interests of the Standardbred industry in Michigan. Although our main job is to make sure we have a strong industry that can supply horses to Michigan pari-mutuel racetracks, we also try to monitor and encourage the improvement of physical conditions at tracks and review and assess the regulations for individuals and horses participating at licensed race meetings to ensure fair and equitable racing.  Our organization also assists race meeting licensees in conducting their racing programs.

In order to encourage and promote the racing, training, and breeding of Standardbred horses and to administer futurities and stake events in Michigan, we need the full participation of everyone interested in seeing the industry thrive and grow.   Everywhere we go we should be encouraging visitors to the track.   Each generation needs to discover racing all over again, and as an association, we need to be part of the marketing package. It will help with growing our industry and bring new members into the association.

The MHHA is a strong believer in supporting its members by negotiating horsemen’s contracts with pari-mutuel racetracks and functions as a liaison between the horsemen and Michigan’s county fair boards. We also represent Michigan’s harness horsemen with state administrative, budgetary, and legislative matters of concern regarding the horse racing industry. We actively seek change when it is needed and we try to ensure good policy promotes live racing opportunities for our horsemen.

Understanding our role and your role as a member will help our association remain strong and vital.  Renew your membership annually, be proactive about your interests and perhaps consider being a board member in the future. I invite each and every one of our members to attend a board meeting, they are open to you and it helps you understand how we function.

Sincerely, 

Tom Barrett,
President