Team Maier inducted into Hall Of Fame

The California Harness Horsemen’s association held their annual meeting Sunday April 3^rd at Cal Expo where divisional sires stakes champions were crowned and the husband and wife team, Tim and Denise Maier were inducted into the harness racing California Hall of Fame.

Jim Perez, executive director for CHHA emceed the event and announced that current board directors, Bob Johnson, Robin Clements and Steve Wiseman would retain their seats on the board.

CHHA president David Neumeister also spoke about the current changes to the workman’s comp, increased purses of 20 % for the current meet, increase in handle and the positive outlook for racing in our state.

Tim and Denise Maier were inducted into the hall of fame for their contribution to the sport spanning over 35 years. Tim a native of Michigan moved to California in the early 80’s while Denise comes from a family spanning 5 generations of harness horsemen. Team Maier has collected several driver and trainer honors while either training, breeding and conditioning many sires stakes champions over the years. Partnered with the late Alan Kirschenbaum, Team Maier conditioned horses like Little Steven p,5, 1:49.4m $579,833  British Sterling T,7, 1:56.2m $232,714 and Show Runner p,4, 1:50.3f $319,705 .

Sires stakes divisional champions were also announced with personalized halters awarded to:

Cadet: 3 year old trotting colt, owned by Desomer Stables

Sandy’s Song: 3 year old trotting filly, owned by Henry Weisneck and Bob Johnson

Speak English: 3 year old pacing filly, owned by Frank Neverez

Uringoodhands: 3 year old pacing colt, owned by Mark Anderson

The CHHA horse of the year was awarded to Sandy’s Song out of the stakes champion mare Ahh Saundra by Claudius Augustus. Owned by Robert Johnson and Henry Weisneck.

California stallion awards were given to the stallions who’s progeny achieved the best in the sires stakes.

Pacing Stallion: Little Steven, owned by Shari Burns

Trotting stallion: Claudius Augustus, owned by Debra Budahn

Leading stakes trainer went to Bob Johnson while Mooney Svendsen received the leading stakes driver award.

By Robin Clements: CHHA