Challenge


Indiana Representative Wins National Youth Racing Experience During Bank of America Championships
Holly Kiess (right) poses with BH Lisa’s Boy and Emily Schimnich of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota during the National Youth Racing Experience event held at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

© Courtesy Indiana Grand
Indiana Representative Wins National Youth Racing Experience During Bank of America Championships

SHELBYVILLE, IN—NOVEMBER 24, 2015—Holly Kiess of Fort Wayne, Ind. was selected from eight total finalists as the 2015 winner of the National Youth Racing Experience held at Lone Star Park Nov. 7 during the Bank of America Challenge Championships for Quarter Horse racing. Kiess advanced to the final round from the Indiana Youth Racing Experience held at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in June by the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI).

Kiess, a student at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, participated in several aspects of the three-day event at Lone Star, including education on different jobs at a racetrack. The finalists visited different areas of the racetrack similar to their experience at Indiana Grand, getting a behind the scenes look at careers from the announcer’s booth to the jockey’s quarters.

Kiess was also paired up with Trainer Bill Hoburg during the event to get hands on experience with horses and learn about the preparation it takes to get one to the races. Kiess and fellow participant Emily Schimnich of Sauk Rapids, Minn. followed the preparation of BH Lisa’s Boy for the Grade I $353,500 AQHA Challenge Championship Stakes Saturday, Nov. 7, where he finished fifth.

“Everything about the three-day event was amazing,” said Kiess. “Every morning, we got up and worked with our assigned trainer (Hoburg) at the racetrack. After that, we would spend the afternoon meeting with racing officials and touring the track. I was constantly learning something new. One thing I was surprised about was the condition of the horses. I have seen athletic horses before, but these horses were so muscular they felt like blocks of stone.”

Each participant was graded on their participation and they were tested on the knowledge they received during the event. Scholarships were provided for the top three finishers. Kiess was awarded first place and received a $3,000 scholarship from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).

“I’m unsure where I will be going to college, but I plan to get a degree in animal science and then go to vet school to become an equine or food animal veterinarian,” said Kiess. “I heard about QHRAI’s Youth Day at Indiana Grand when I participated in the State 4-H judging event, but prior to that, I had never been around racing. I instantly loved it.”

Kiess is the daughter of Brian and Gina Kiess. She has three sisters Bethany, Skylar and Elly. In addition to her love of horses, she is active on the cross country team at Homestead High School and also serves as a tutor for elementary kids in that school system.

The National Youth Racing Experience began in 1998 at Lone Star Park sponsored by the AQHA. The purpose was to provide a learning experience for kids interested in the equine field and to promote Quarter Horse racing-related careers through scholarships. The program has grown over the years and moves from year to year with the Bank of America Challenge Championships to different tracks.