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Thursday, September 29, 2016

DAVE OFFENBERG TO JOIN USA TEAM VS. NEW ZEALAND IN EARLY DECEMBER

          by john manzi for NAADA

Four members of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) will wing their way to New Zealand to compete against their counterparts from Down Under in early December in a series of races in a Friendship Competition.

Leading the USA team will be Peter Kleinhans who earned that honor after winning a lottery drawing upon the completion the NAADA Summer Trotting Series by being among the top three point earners in the series, and then winning a lottery drawing.  

Recently the international amateur drivers organization has released that Dave Offenberg will join Kleinhans on the overseas journey to represent the USA in the competition. Others, they say, will be named in the upcoming days.

Offenberg, a true sportsman, an avid amateur driver, and a longtime prominent horse owner is excited  to be representing America in the upcoming Friendship Competition.

“I'm absolutely thrilled to be going to New Zealand to represent the U.S. in an amateur driving competition with three other drivers. I have never been there although I drove against the New Zealand amateurs last year at Yonkers,” Offenberg said.

“I have been overseas several times to drive in amateur races in Italy, Spain, Finland and Sweden, but this trip will probably top them all. I have as much fun driving in the amateurs as I have racing my own horses.”

According to Offenberg, he has been lucky to have had several good horses including Continental Victory (Hambo Winner), Mr Vic, Angus Hall, Yes Its True and many other hard-hitting raceway horses.

“In what other sport can you be totally hands-on and get enjoyment doing it?” he asks.

Queried about his biggest thrill as an amateur driver it didn’t take Offenberg much time to respond.

“Obviously the first win was a big kick and all amateur wins are special. One of my greatest thrills was driving and winning an overnight race at Freehold against the pros (including Hall of Famer Cat Manzi) with my own horse that paid almost $100 to win. I’ve won several NAADA regional finals but winning the Billings Silver Cup last year was special.”

However, when it comes to driving Standardbreds as an amateur reinsman realism sets in.

“I do race against the pros on rare occasions and am quickly brought back to reality just watching the driving skills they exhibit during a race. I guess that's why they’re the pros and we are the amateurs.”

Offenberg, by his own admission, has been one of the fortunate few being able to participate in the sport as an owner, breeder and driver and has been blessed to have met many special people at all levels in the sport.


“It is my hope that I can continue in the sport for many years to come,” he added.