HHY announces new Program Coordinator

The Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF) wants everyone to welcome the newest member of the HHYF Team, C.J. Holthaus, who is the new Program Coordinator. CJ will assist with the planning and execution of HHYF summer programs and other HHYF events.

Catherine “C.J.” Holthaus is an accomplished educator and equestrian joining the Harness Horse Youth Foundation to assist in summer activities. With a Master of Arts in English from Northwest Missouri State University, role in the Professional Education Unit preparing pre-service teachers, and a lifetime teaching certificate in K-12 cross-categorical special education, 5-12 English language arts, and 9-12 speech and theatre, C.J. brings a wealth of pedagogical knowledge to the HHYF.

She currently holds a horse judging certification through 2026 via the University of Nebraska-Lincoln animal science extension 4H and serves as the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association head riding coach of both hunt seat equitation and stock seat horsemanship for Northwest. She serves as Nodaway County 4H horse leader and University Horsemen Association advisor. She was previously head of riding for Tripp Lake Camp girls sleepaway in Maine.

C.J. grew up on a family-owned cow-calf operation in Northwest Missouri/Southern Iowa, where she spent her childhood raising and training race-bred American Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds to use as ranch and rope horses; her appreciation for speed was developed on the ranch as there’s not much worse than being outrun in the cow pasture or out of the roping box.

Her passion for both horses and helping youth aligns with the HHYF’s mission to provide young people and their families with information and experiences with harness horses in order to foster the next generation of fans and participants.

C.J. is excited to be a part of the HHYF’s summer programming, which offers a variety of programs catering to different interests and skill levels, all supported by superbly qualified industry experts.

“I was originally moved to apply,” Holthaus shares, “because I truly believe in the HHYF’s mission to empower young people through education and mentorship. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to such a worthwhile cause and to work alongside a team of dedicated professionals who share my passion for making a positive impact on the world.”

She is eager to utilize her background in education and pedagogy as well as variety of equine industry experiences over the last 20 years to bring the joy and excitement of horses and harness racing to a broader swath of the next generation of horse enthusiasts.

As a lifelong learner, C.J. is also excited to learn and grow alongside the organization’s members, bringing her experiences as an educator, riding instructor, stable manager, veterinary assistant, breeder, and trainer in various sectors of the equine industry to help develop well-rounded young equestrians.

From the Harness Horse Youth Foundation