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A Sampler of Ideas — Strategic Conversations for Maine Harness Racing
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1930s
1950s
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Home
Contact us
Lost Trotting Parks ARCHIVES
Lost Trotting Parks of New England ARCHIVES
Imagine 19th Century Kennebec County ARCHIVES
Maine Harness Horsemen ARCHIVES
Nelson 4209
About
Timeline
Submit Stories
Stories of the Turf
Stories of the Turf, how to submit story
Stories of the Maine Sire Stakes
About adding a story about Maine Sire Stacks
Scott Leighton Art Gallery
Scott Leighton
19th Century Paintings
Art of the Engraver
Currier and Ives
Contemporary Equine Art
Nadina Ironia Art
Art of the Storyboard
Bruce Nelson Postcards
Newsroom
A Sampler of Ideas — Strategic Conversations for Maine Harness Racing
NorthEast Harness News
Horse Review
Maine Horsemen
1920s
1930s
1950s
Museum Shop
Cart
Checkout
My Account
Harness Racing -- From its Past to Present to Create its Future in the 21st Century
This survey is your opportunity to respond to a series of questions that will shape a positive composite image of harness racing on the farm, at the fairs and on the track.
Step 1 of 4
25%
How many years have you personally been a licensed worker in the sport of harness racing?
Does not apply
1 to 5 Years
6 to 10 Years
Between 11 and 20 years
21 to 30 years
Greater than 30 years
How many years have you been a fan of the sport of harness racing? (FANS ONLY)
Less than 5 years
Between 6 and 10 years
Between 11 and 20 years
For more than 20 years
Are you a member of a harness racing family?
Yes
No
How many years has your family been in the harness racing industry?
Item does not apply to me
Up to 10 years
Between 11 and 20 years
More than 20 years
Select Your Gender
Male
Female
Please Enter Your State (United States or Province (Canada) of Residency. If you are from a country outside of the United States or Canada, please enter your country of residence.
Select Your Age Group
Under 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 or Above
Prefer Not to Answer
Please enter your age
Check the descriptors that represent your work in the Harness Racing Industry.
This item does not apply to me
Owner
Trainer
Groom
Race Secretary
Track Supervisor
Judge, Announcer, Photographer, Video Operator, Video Coordinator, Sound/Video Technician
Veterinarian
Agricultural Fair Organizer
Agricultural Fair Volunteer
Pari-Mutuel Worker
Driver
Farrier
Harness Racing Commissioner
State Government Employee
Identify the three Maine harness racing tracks you believe are the best to experience the sport of harness racing.
Presque Isle
Topsham
Skowhegan
Union
Windsor
Farmington
Oxford
Cumberland
Fryeburg
Bangor Raceway
Scarborough Downs
Have never attended harness racing at one of these tracks
Briefly explain your responses to the previous question. (3 best tracks)
Harness racing leaders need to create coordinated marketing and promotion strategies that engage all age groups. Activities need to be planned for every month of the year.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
Tours of the paddock area should be offered by track officials so that those attending the fairs and or harness racing get closeup views of horsemen preparing their Standardbreds for racing.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
The Harness Racing Industry needs to be re-branded to make the sport of harness racing more relevant to living in the 21st century.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
The harness racing industry needs to be accountable and accountable to performing at the highest ethical standards and behaviors.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
If you work in any aspect of the harness racing industry you understand that you are part of the harness racing brand. Your behavior will either enhance or diminish the broader harness racing brand and the public's perception of the sport.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
The development of amateur and family driving clubs at each track would be a good strategy to introduce new people to the sport of harness racing.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
Select from the list below those organizations that need to become involved in the idea of bringing more young people into harness racing.
Girl Scouts
Boy Scouts
Boys and Girls Clubs
4-H Clubs
Future Farmers of America
Middle Schools
High Schools
2 Year Community Colleges and Vocational Schools
Four Year Colleges
All of these items
Other
If you selected other in the previous question, please identify the organization (s).
Check groups below that you believe should be identified for promotional and educational activities related to harness racing.
Rotary Clubs
Kiwanis Clubs
Lions Clubs
Chambers of Commerce
Professional Business Associations (i.e. Physicians, Lawyers)
Public Schools
Veteran Groups
Support Groups for individuals with disabilities or illnesses
Historical Societies
Law Firms
Medical Groups
Car Dealerships
Restaurants and bars
All of these items
None of these items
Other
If you selected Other on the previous questions, please add your organization (s)
A casino with a hotel would be a successful environment for the sport of harness racing?
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
A destination resort would be a successful environment for the sport of harness racing.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
Demonstration racing as is done in Cornish, Blue Hill, Pembroke, and Oxford serves as an excellent educational activity for people new to harness racing.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
List ideas to improve demonstration racing at fairs and other locations.
Elements of a Destination Resort
19th styled hotel with restaurants, bars, and conference/exhibit rooms
Trip Planning Services: hunting, fishing, skiing, ocean excursions
Courtesy Vans for trips to the ocean, golf courses, and selected towns/cities
A walkway that surrounds the track that connects to businesses
An exercise room with views of the track
An ice cream parlor
A sportswear shop
A photo studio
A seafood restaurant with take out
A Barbecue Restaurant
A Steak House
An Italian Restaurant
Glassed in grandstand with seating for up to 500 people to view harness racing and other events
An IMAX Theater
A Ferris Wheel
A Merry-Go-Round
An Internet Cafe and Coffee Shop
In-door training horse arena for old and young alike
Stables for a variety of horse breeds for education, demonstrations and competitions.
Competitions areas within the track
Staging areas within the track for concerts and entertainment
Housing for post-secondary students enrolled in an equine studies programs at Maine Colleges
Housing for summer youth programs with three week sessions to introduce youth to working with, caring for, and competing with horses.
Host three week sessions that introduce students to the sport of harness racing -- from the paddocks, on the track, and on top of the grandstand
Video feeds of track and infield activities at every business surrounding the track
Free WiFi with access to live feeds of racing and most track events
Amateur Driving Club
Apartments with annual leases
Creation of a 19th century Maine village with country church, Grange Hall, Opera House, Town Hall, Museum, Blacksmith Shop, Oyster Saloon & Confectionery, General Store, Clothing Store, and a carriage ride business
Barns and stables as home of your state's sire stakes program
Integrate retired Standardbreds to work as carriage horses, riding under saddle, and training carriage drivers
Work with veteran groups to develop strategies to hire veterans and establish support group services
Intergenerational housing development adjacent to the resort complex with riding and carriage trails.
All of these items
The destination resort concept as a home for harness racing would be to create an environment that will attract tourists throughout the years from anywhere and everywhere, and from the State of Maine. Please check items you believe would be popular and enduring attractions.
List the top five factors that create positive experiences for harness racing
List ideas to increase live attendance at harness racing tracks.
List two ideas that track management can implement to enhance fan enjoyment and engagement in the sport of harness racing
List two ideas that would bring new owners into the sport of harness racing.
Enter Track Names and locations for five tracks you believe offer the best harness racing experiences for owners and fans in the United States and Canada.
List up to five characteristics common to each of the tracks listed in the previous question.
If you would like a sample of the findings prior to the published report, please enter your e-mail address below.
