A Lifetime Dedicated to the Track: Honoring Woodstock’s Harness Racing steward, Earl Pence
For over fifty years, Earl Pence has been a quiet, consistent force behind the scenes at the Shenandoah county Fair’s harness racing track in Woodstock, Virginia. While he’s never been a horseman himself, his unwavering dedication and strong work ethic have made him an indispensable part of the track’s 106-year legacy – a tradition stretching back even further than its current location.
Pence’s role has evolved over the decades,beginning with selling horse trailers and focusing on meticulous track maintenance. He embodies a commitment to a job well done, stating simply, “I’ve always had a set work ethic and I’ve always tried to follow that.”
The world of harness racing at the Shenandoah County Fair has transformed substantially during Pence’s tenure. When he began, purses barely reached $150 per race. Today, they stand at $2,000, reflecting a broader growth in the sport fueled by investment from the Virginia Equine Alliance. The Alliance has poured over $1 million into improving the track surface in the last decade,now distributing an average of $60,000 in daily purse money during the spring and fall pari-mutuel meets at Shenandoah Downs. Pence’s involvement extends to these meets as well, contributing to the upkeep of the grounds as 2017.
“Track upkeep is hard work,” Pence acknowledges, ”but it’s incredibly rewarding to help create a surface were horsemen can compete at their best. When the track record was set here – 1:51.4 – I felt a real sense of accomplishment. A great horse is essential, of course, but a well-maintained track plays its part.”
The changes Pence has witnessed aren’t just financial. He recalls a time when the track hosted demolition derbies and tractor pulls just days before the harness races, leaving him and a single water truck to prepare the surface in a single, grueling night. “It was a different world then,” he remembers. ”It was a close-knit community of local farmers racing for pride as much as the purse. Today, the competition is fiercer, with horsemen traveling from further afield, and the stakes are higher.” While the familial atmosphere has shifted, Pence still recognizes a strong sense of camaraderie.
The Shenandoah County Fair remains unique in Virginia, being the only fair to feature harness racing as part of its annual party. This enduring tradition is a source of pride for Pence. “Things change, that’s just life,” he says. “But after all these years, it’s still the fair, and it’s still the racetrack.”
Earl Pence will be honored for his decades of service between races on Wednesday, August 27th, as the fair’s harness racing meet kicks off with an eight-race card at noon. Racing will continue daily through Saturday. Fans can enjoy the exciting action and the commentary of acclaimed race caller Roger Huston for the first three days. The Virginia Harness Horse Association is also offering a unique opportunity: one lucky fan each day will win a chance to “Own a Horse for a Day,” with the chance to earn purse money during Shenandoah Downs’ opening weekend on September 14th.
For more information, visit shenandoahdowns.com.
