OHHA Outstanding Groom Award to Steve Gibson

Grove City, Ohio – Steve Gibson of Mechanicsburg, Ohio has been named the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Outstanding Groom for 2021. Gibson works for and was nominated by trainer Kim Dailey.

Dailey says Gibson is dedicated, dependable and willing to do anything that is needed. “Steve is almost always the first person in the barn every day and the last out. He knows each of his horses on a personal level no matter their earnings.”

Gibson is the last of the Bill Dailey Stable grooms and Dailey says he has become more than an employee. “He has stuck next to our family during very uncertain times. He has seen the barn full at 80 horse and down to eight. No reward can repay him for his loyalty.”

Gibson was introduced to the sport of harness racing at an early age by his father and stepfather. He sat behind his first horse when he was nine years old and has made it his livelihood. The longest he has been away from racehorses has been three weeks.

Gibson says he enjoys being around the horses. “I like watching the babies grow and get to the racetrack. It doesn’t matter if they are a claimer or a Sires Stakes horse, I don’t treat them any differently.” Gibson says he appreciates the Dailey family for nominating him. “Even to be nominated means a lot. I really appreciate it.”

Gibson will be honored at the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Annual Awards Banquet January 15, 2022, at the Hilton Columbus-Polaris in Columbus, Ohio. Tickets to the banquet are $30 each and can be purchased by calling the OHHA office at 614-221-3650. Reservation forms are also available on the OHHA website at www.ohha.com.

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA