Caesar Rodney High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) students recently visited Harrington Raceway for an educational tour. The visit was part of the organization’s efforts to expose students to various aspects of Delaware’s agricultural sector. During the tour, the students learned about equine care and heard from track officials, trainers, drivers, and veterinarians. The harness racing industry in Delaware supports around 3,000 jobs.
Rebecca McParlin, a teacher at Caesar Rodney and leader of the FFA program, emphasized the importance of exposing students to different career opportunities within agriculture. “The ability and opportunity to get insights into different occupations is so crucial to the students to see all of the possibilities in agriculture,” she said. She also highlighted the value of making professional connections.
The FFA program at Caesar Rodney High School includes about 60 students and is approaching its centennial anniversary since its establishment in 1930. Nearly 300 students are enrolled in agriculture-related courses at the school.
The visit coincided with preparations for two $110,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund finals scheduled for two-year-old trotting colts and fillies at Harrington Raceway. Before watching morning qualifiers on Wednesday, where horses must achieve specific times before entering regular races, students listened to Lakiyah Teachey. Teachey is the owner/trainer of No Gel Nikki, a pacing mare with over $118,000 in earnings from 48 starts. She demonstrated equipment usage and discussed horse care routines while explaining differences between standardbreds and thoroughbreds.
Harrington Raceway will conclude its live harness racing season next Wednesday, October 22. The raceway boasts a record streak of hosting live racing meets for 79 consecutive years—longer than any other harness racing track in the United States.
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