Eli Stutzman (Apple Creek, Ohio)
It all started at Yoder’s Blacksmith Supply when were both kids in Dundee, Ohio. My father had a 200-acre farm with quite a few racehorses. We originally jogged our horses on the road. Later there was a track built. Our farrier wasn’t far, just a couple of miles so that was our go to. A small Amish blacksmith shop had many of our horses there and a lot of storytelling along the way. My brothers and I were into racing, but our little sister wasn’t interested at all. Dad and Dan trained. Dad, Dan and Dustin drove a bit. I was the “help.” I never forgot Eli, many years later, my father and brothers got out of the business and I begged to get back in. I was 36 and scared to death of jumping in heart first. I couldn’t think of anyone I trusted more than Eli with my first racehorse. Casino Director has been amazing to me, we’ve both grown so much together. He went from a 1:57 pacer to a 1:52 in 3 years. Eli and I have been through a lot and he’ll always be the one I call. It doesn’t matter if it’s a heel crack, a quarter crack, a sprung shoe, he always makes time for us little guys. He’s way more appreciated than he knows. He was our blacksmith then, he will always me mine now.
– Miranda Shedron, Wooster, Ohio
Eli always goes the extra mile. I have Standardbred racehorses and mine are always the “project” type. Never easy. We have got some horses with terrible feet on the right track to the winner circle. I’m never afraid he won’t listen to what I have to say or veterinary advice. He truly wants to help the animal. And he’s a great friend, as well. Definitely a very important professional in my toolbox for training. I couldn’t do it without him.
— Jamie Coffy, Bowerston, Ohio
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