The Clark County Fair
Est. 1882
July 19th - July 23rd
Harness Racing
Our Family Tradition
An on going tradition here at the Clark County Fair is our Harness Racing. This event will be held on Sunday afternoon this year at 12:30 pm. Stop by and join us for some fun entertainment and maybe make a friendly wager or two on the side. Hope to see you there!
The Race is On
Harness racing is a worldwide sport where a special breed of horses, called Standardbreds, race around a track while pulling a driver in a two-wheeled cart, called a sulky. ... It is a thrill to see the horses strive to do what they do best—go fast and win!
The Horses
The Standardbred is an American horse breed best known for its ability in harness racing, where members of the breed compete at either a trot or pace. Developed in North America, the Standardbred is recognized worldwide, and the breed can trace its bloodlines to 18th-century England. They are solid, well-built horses with good dispositions. In addition to harness racing, the Standardbred is used for a variety of equestrian activities — including horse shows and pleasure riding — particularly in the midwestern and eastern United States, and southern Ontario.
Out the Gate
Most harness races now start from behind a motorized starting gate, called a "car start" or "auto start". This device consists of a car or pickup truck equipped with a hinged gate that resembles metal "wings" on each side of the vehicle. As the vehicle is driven down the center of the track, the wings are extended and the horses line up in order behind it. When the gate reaches the starting line, the starter retracts the wings, which fold inward toward the vehicle body. The vehicle then accelerates away from the horses and pulls off to the outside to let the racers proceed.