LEON – The Leon Historical Society will be hosting an event titled “Harness Racing The Sport of Farmers.”

During the mid 1800s our growing nation produced a growing number of roads and a growing demand for a road horse that could provide fast smooth transportation. That horse was the trotter. Local farmers began breeding faster and faster trotters until road horses became race horses.

Harness racing soon became a popular sport and harness racetracks began popping up all over the northeast. Thoroughbred racing introduced to this country by the rich and noble gentry was considered the “Sport of Kings” whereas, because of its humble beginnings, harness racing was considered the “Sport of Farmers.”

Prior to the Civil War this “Sport of Farmers” was seen mostly in the Hudson River Valley. After the Civil War the harness racing fever migrated further west into Western New York. Small towns like Leon, Cherry Creek and Balcoms Corners had their own race tracks where local farmers could race their homegrown trotters.

On Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. at the historic 1836 Church on Route 62 in Leon, Leon Historical Society member Tina Scherman will present “Harness Racing: Sport of Farmers,” an overview of the history of harness racing from its beginnings in the Hudson River Valley to its heyday at local racetracks.

There is no charge for this program but donations are much appreciated.

For more information email LeonHistoricalSociety@gmail.com or see the website LeonHistoricalSociety.weebly.com.