2008 Horseman of the Year

Inaugural recipient was Charlie Essenson.  Mr. Essenson was born in Brooklyn, New York 1925.  When America entered WWII Charlie conveniently forgot his corrrect birthday and joined the Army Air Corps at the age of 16.  He served our country as a gunner aboard B-24 bombers, flying out of England to liberate Europe.  When the war ended he began a successful career in drafting.  Several years later he became interested in Standardbreds.  At first he simply owned them.  After seeing his horses run he wanted to train and race them himself.  So began his career with horses.

Charlie's career took him from Maine to California.  He never raced a horse that wasn't fit to run.  He managed a breeding and foaling farm, getting up every hour to check on the expectant mare.  Each day began with the morning feeding.  Followed by all day turn out.  Stalls were kept immaculate.  Feed and water buckets scrubbed everyday.  His barns were so clean you wouldn't mind using them to host a dinner party!

Charlie truly cared about each horse in his charge.  Each evening the horses were brought in and given a good dinner.  But here is where Charlie stands out.  Each night, no matter what the weather, precisely at 8:00 p.m., he would go to the barn and give each horse their nightly snack.  He made sure each one had enough water, hay and blankets, if needed.  Today, at the age of 83, Charlie is retired from horses.  And he took up his second love, painting animal portraits.  He is a self-taught artist and continues to paint.  He specializes in horses, dogs and cats. 

Charlie Essenson is truly a horseman and deserving of the inaugural Horseman of the Year Award.  Our hats are off to Charlie for a job done beyond what he was paid to do!  From all of the horses that have crossed Charlie's path we say a big Thank You!