The champions of the 2022 season were honored at the annual Indiana Standardbred Awards Banquet Saturday, January 21 at the Embassy Suites in Noblesville. The event was held in front of a full house with approximately 400 people in attendance.
The Indiana Standardbred Banquet attracted approximately 400 people to honor the champions of 2022 in Indiana. Photo by Tammy Knox
Presented by the Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA), the Standardbred Advisory Board, and Harrah’s Hoosier Park, the evening started off honoring outgoing president Joe Putnam. Other individual awards were presented to Jeff Cullipher, outgoing ISA Director Recognition, and three ISA Special Recognition Awards honoring a trio of people that have tirelessly worked to promote racing in recent years. James Platz, Jacob Rheinheimer and Ellen Taylor were each honored for their commitment and work in the state.
The ISA Groom of the Year Award was presented to Laurie Younkin, who works with the Missy Essig Stable. The ISA Youth of the Year Awards were presented to Savanah Clark, Kevin Detweiler and Lili Haynes, all middle schoolers in the Hoosier State.
ISA Scholarship Recipients were also recognized with 17 college awards granted last year.
Trace Tetrick was once again honored as the Pari-Mutuel Driver of the Year with Tyler George earning Pari-Mutuel Trainer of the Year. Doug Rideout was the top driver and trainer on the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit (ISFC).
Breeders and stallions were recognized with Mahlon Lambright earning Small Breeder of the Year and Large Breeder of the Year was once again presented to Victory Hill Farm, Inc. JK Endofanera was the top Pacing Stallion while Swan for All retained his title atop of the Trotting Stallion ranks.
Three-year-old colt Soaring Now was named Pacer of the Year while M-M’s Dream, who was perfect in the Indiana Sires Stakes in 2022, was named Trotter of the Year. ISA Elite Winners, ISFC Divisional Champions, Indiana Sires Stakes Champions, and Indiana Sired Champions were also recognized during the event.
The program, which was emceed by Kevin Mack, concluded with numerous drawings for door prizes followed by a live band with dancing available at the venue.
A full list of champions will be provided in the upcoming March issue of the ISA Magazine, due the first week of March.