By Ken
Weingartner, for the U.S. Harness Writers Association
Charlie
Williams, the stallion manager at Southwind Farms in New Jersey, has been named
the recipient of the 2017 Caretaker of the Year Award sponsored by Hard Rock
Rocksino Northfield Park in conjunction with the U.S. Harness Writers
Association (USHWA).
Williams, 68,
has worked at Southwind Farms for nearly three decades. Williams was born in
Georgia and began working with horses as a young man in Florida. He spent the
early part of his career with Thoroughbreds, as an exercise rider and
caretaker, before a knee injury forced him to give up riding.
While
sidelined because of his injury, Williams answered an advertisement for a
part-time job at Southwind Farms. His horsemanship and attention to detail
eventually led him to his current position at the farm, where he has cared for
some of the sport’s top stallions, beginning with Valley Victory and Artsplace
right through to today with Muscle Hill.
“This is
something I’ll never forget,” Williams said of his Caretaker of the Year honor.
“From picking cotton as a young kid to go on and take care of world champions,
it’s been a dream come true. I started working at the bottom and worked my way
to the top. I was very fortunate to luck out and work with horses. I’ve had the
chance to take care of the best.
“The sport
has been really good to me and there are so many good people in the sport that
have been really good to me. I love the sport, I love the horses, and I love
the people.”
All
caretakers in North America are eligible for the Caretaker of the Year Award. A
seven-member panel – all former caretakers – selected the winner after
reviewing nomination letters detailing the skills and special qualities of each
nominee.
Williams will
receive a cash prize of $500, transportation, and two tickets to USHWA’s annual
Dan Patch Awards banquet Feb. 25 in Orlando, Fla., where he will be presented a
trophy. He will also enjoy a two-night stay at Rosen Shingle Creek, host hotel
for the USHWA activities.
Williams
received several nominations, with one writing, in part, “There are grooms and
caretakers at all stages of a horse’s life and this man exemplifies the true
embodiment of a caretaker and is truly worthy of Caretaker of the Year. This
man puts his heart and soul into every stallion that is lucky enough to stand
in a stall in his barn.
“Please
consider allowing this exceptional caretaker a moment to shine in an industry
that sometimes forgets those of us who aren’t in winner’s circles but
nevertheless are in a barn day in and day out, without vacation, wind, rain,
and snow. You will not find a more true definition of an exceptional caretaker
in our industry than Charlie Williams.”
Williams is
self-described “old school” when it comes to taking care of his horses. But the
stallions are more than horses to Williams, they are friends.
“I love
everything about them,” Williams said. “They have personality. With Muscle
Hill, he’s like my best friend out there. I know how he thinks and he knows how
I think. It was the same thing with Artsplace. They’re like people. It’s
unbelievable when you work in the barn with them.
“I have a
habit, I talk to them. I’m in the stallion barn, so I talk with all the horses
like I’m talking to a human. And I never cut corners with them. I give them the
love and attention and they give the love and attention to me. I’m 68 years old
and I can’t wait to get up in the morning and come to work. When you walk in
the barn, they know you and sound off. They’re happy to see you and you’re
happy to see them.”
For more
information about the Dan Patch Awards banquet, visit www.ushwa.org.
