The Dan Patch Trainer of the Year Award is an annual award created in 1985 by members of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA). The Association's website states that their members' determination is aided by input from the American Harness Racing Secretaries plus logistic expertise provided by the United States Trotting Association. The award winner receives the Glen Garnsey Trophy, named in honor of the Hall of Fame trainer who died at the zenith of his career at age 52 in 1985 as the result of an automobile accident. There are several categories of USHWA

Dan Patch Award The Dan Patch Award is an annual award created in 1985 by members of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA). The Association's website states that their members' determination is aided by input from the American Harness Racing Secre ...

named for the legendary pacer

Dan Patch Dan Patch (April 29, 1896 – July 11, 1916) was a noted American Standardbred pacer. At a time when harness racing was one of the largest sports in the nation, Dan Patch was a major celebrity. He was undefeated in open competition, and was so ...

(1896-1916). Past winners:

*2022 Jim Campbell *2021 Richard "Nifty" Norman *2020 Nancy Takter *2019 Marcus Melander *2018 Ron Burke *2017 Brian Brown *2016 Jimmy Takter *2015 :

Jimmy Takter Jimmy Takter (born September 29, 1960, in Norrköping, Sweden) is a harness racing horse trainer based in East Windsor, New Jersey, who came to the U.S. in 1982. He was inducted into the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2012. Background Tak ...

*2014 : Jimmy Takter *2013 : Ronald J. Burke *2012 : Linda Toscano *2011 : Ronald J. Burke *2010 : Jimmy Takter *2009 : Gregory B. Peck *2008 :

Ray Schnittker Raymond W. "Ray" Schnittker (born February 11, 1958, in Buffalo, New York) is a driver, trainer and owner of Standardbred harness racing horses who is also a Director of the United States Trotting Association His successful horses includes Hambl ...

*2007 : Steve Elliott *2006 : Mickey Burke *2005 : Ervin M. Miller *2004 :

Trond Smedshammer Trond is a Norwegian male given name. The base of the name, Tron'r (Þróndr or Þrándr), is Old Norse and means "to grow and thrive" (þroásk)17785 peoplein Norway have Trond as their first name, making it the 23rd most used name (2008). The na ...

*2003 :

Ivan Sugg Ivan () is a Slavic male given name, connected with the variant of the Greek name (English: John) from Hebrew meaning 'God is gracious'. It is associated worldwide with Slavic countries. The earliest person known to bear the name was Bulgari ...

*2002 : Jim Doherty *2001 : Robert McIntosh

*2000 : Mark Ford / Jimmy Takter *1999 : Ron Gurfein *1998 :

Brett Pelling Brett derives from a Middle English surname meaning "Briton" or "Breton", referring to the Celtic people of Britain and Brittany, France. Brette can be a feminine name. People with the surname * Adrian Brett (born 1945) English flutist and writer ...

*1997 : William Wellwood *1996 : Jimmy Takter *1995 : Joe Holloway *1994 : Carl Allen *1993 : William G. Robinson *1992 : Robert McIntosh *1991 : Per Eriksson *1990 :

Gene Riegle Grant E. "Gene" Riegle (June 3, 1928 – October 17, 2011) was an American harness racing driver and trainer. He was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1992. Riegle started his harness racing career in 1950. His father, Roy Riegle, ...

Bruce Nickells Bruce Nickells (born July 5, 1928) is an American harness racing driver and trainer. Nickells was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame on July 4, 2016. Biography Nickells, who grew up in Princeton, Illinois, began working with harness r ...

*1989 : Richard Stillings / Harry J. Poulton *1988 : Steve Elliott *1987 : Charles "Chuck" Sylvester *1986 : Soren Nordin *1985 : Charles "Chuck" Sylvester

References

{{Reflist American horse racing awards American Champion harness racing trainers Harness racing in the United States Horse racing awards

See also

References