Taylah Markham.
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) and the Bendigo Harness Racing Training Centre (BHRTC) are excited to publicly announce the two recipients of the inaugural Pony Trots Victoria Scholarship.
Taylah Markham and Chelsea Prothero have been granted scholarships, both impressing the selection panel with their applications.
The Pony Trots Victoria Scholarship program aims to foster the development of junior trots participants and encourage them to consider harness racing as a career option.
Scholarship recipients are covered by HRV for the cost of obtaining their C Grade drivers’ licence (valued at $405), receive accredited training at the BHRTC at no cost, a grant of $1000 to purchase driver and/or horse gear and 12 months of mentoring by a HRV A Grade driver.
“We are delighted to offer the Pony Trots Victoria Scholarship to help these passionate youngsters pursue a potential career in our industry,” HRV Manager People and Culture Isabella Galati said.
“The Pryde's EasiFeed Pony Trots Victoria program provides important professional development for young people participating in our industry and I’d like to congratulate both Taylah and Chelsea for securing these scholarships.
“I also must publicly acknowledge the wonderful work of Vicki Moro at the Bendigo Harness Racing Training Centre, who has been absolutely instrumental in helping drive this initiative.”
Chelsea Prothero
Ms Moro said the interview panel was “impressed” with the quality of applicants.
“We were so impressed … and we look forward to supporting Taylah and Chelsea with their studies,” the BHRTC CEO said.
“As part of the scholarship Taylah will complete Certificate II in Racing to fit in with her paid commitments. Chelsea will complete Certificate II in Racing as part of her VCE. Her school, Mildura Senior College, has been very supportive of the plan. The certificate will contribute to Chelsea’s VCE completion and her ATAR.
“The aim of the scholarship is to encourage young people to consider a career in the industry. It is an ageing workforce and we need young ones to join the ranks.”
Both scholarship recipients said they were honoured and excited to have received the opportunity.
Taylah said: “I feel extremely honoured and proud to be chosen. I really hope that I can achieve a successful driving career and the ultimate goal would be to be training and driving my own horses one day. I’ve always been passionate about horses and in primary school one of my close friends invited me to come to the trots. I learnt a lot from my friend and his family. They taught me how to drive ponies and I was lucky enough to get a pony of my own. I have been racing my pony ever since. I’d also really like to thank the Herbertson and Douglas families for their great support.”
Chelsea said: “I am honoured to be selected for this scholarship as it will be a great pathway into a future in the industry. I would like to become a trainer and a driver, while also focusing on marketing within the industry. I enjoy working with horses and it has been a great industry to be a part of. I was brought up in the trots and have enjoyed being a part of it from a very young age.”
Media enquiries to:
Cody Winnell (HRV Media/Communications Manager)
t: 03 8378 0288 | e: cwinnell@hrv.org.au | tw: @codywinnell
