by Chris Lomon

The thrill has only just begun for Aaron Lehman.

It has been a whirlwind two years, on and off the racetrack, for the young horseman from Medford, WI.

After being honored in February as the 2023 Minnesota Harness Racing Caretaker of the Year, Lehman was in the race bike in late summer, set to make his driving debut.

The man in the red and gold colors would be as good as gold at Viroqua, a half-mile oval, on Sept. 17.

Partnered with bay pacer AK Up N Attem, a son of Andreoli Hanover—Dawns Early Rise, Lehman and the Quentin Schneider trainee won the non-betting race in 2:01.4.

It was one of three wins on the day for Lehman, who also recorded a trio of thirds for his six drives.

“That was a lot of fun,” he said of his milestone victory. “It was my first time fair racing. I was a little bit nervous, but it ended up being such a great day. We won that first race by a couple of lengths, but the feeling of coming down the stretch and no one is that close to you is just amazing.”

Lehman didn’t slow down a fraction from that eye-catching curtain-raising performance.

“Looking back, getting those qualifiers in before my first race was a lot of fun,” Lehman said. “It made me realize how much I wanted to be a driver. I love everything about it.”

It certainly shows.

This year, Lehman, who earned his “P” license, has been sensational in the sulky, fashioning a record of 10-14-1 from 40 career starts.

Rather than speaking of his successes, Lehman’s focus is on self-improvement.

“I want to learn more every day,” he said. “I think that is important, especially in a sport where there is so much you need to know. You have to put everything you’ve got into it.”

Which is precisely what Lehman did when he started in the industry.

He was introduced to the standardbred world by his friend Mel Mullet, a longtime owner associated with QKS Racing Stable, run by husband-and-wife Quentin and Kimberly Schneider.

Lehman began his racing career as a groom for the Schneiders.

The role helped prepare him for the rigors of competing on the racetrack.

“I like to think it did,” Lehman said. “You look at a horse and you can see what they need. And that is the same when you are driving. You have to be aware of what will bring out the best in the horse. I also think starting as a groom, rather than as a driver, gave me a good perspective of the horses.”

After competing at Running Aces and Wisconsin fair tracks for a portion of 2024, Lehman took his show on the road.

Currently, he’s competing at Cal-Expo, the one-mile oval in Sacramento, CA.

On Dec. 13, he piloted the 3-year-old bay filly Overthemoonforyou, trained by Quentin Schneider, to a 45-1 upset.

The duo, second through three-quarters in 1:30.2, took over soon after and glided to a 1½-length score in 2:01.2.

“That was a great effort,” Lehman said. “The horse showed a lot of determination to get the win.”

It was a textbook score for a young driver whose preference for coming from off the pace worked to perfection in that dash.

“I like it here,” he said. “For myself, I appreciate a longer stretch. If I have to cut a mile, I absolutely will, but I like coming from behind, from off cover, and the horses who love to close. I like that feeling of coming from out of it and storming down the stretch.”

When he isn’t lighting up the tote board with the longest shot on the board, Lehman is a student of the game.

From watching replays, reading the program, sizing up the competition, and honing his craft, the young reinsman is earnest in bringing his A-game with each call he gets.

“I am hoping that I will eventually make it to the Grand Circuit – that’s one of my goals,” he said. “For now, I think I will be racing in Minnesota and California for the next couple of years.”

Lehman is looking to add a new role in the near future.

“I want to get my trainer’s license and have a few horses of my own,” he said. “I’d also like to catch-drive a lot.”

He won’t be hard to miss in those bright driving colors.

For Lehman, they are far more than just a fashion statement.

“Quentin, who I drove for, he has those colors, and I like them too,” Lehman said. “I think red and yellow stand out – you can see them from a distance. I went on a website, and I was able to design them myself.”

Looks aside, crafting a long career is at the top of the chart.

“I would say everything I have learned so far, before and after I started driving, will help me push forward,” Lehman said. “There will be good days and bad days, but if you come in with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and treat every horse and horseman with respect, hopefully, you will find success.

“It takes hard work, and you need commitment to do well in this sport. I want to challenge myself to be the best I can be.”

While his racing career is on an upward arc, Lehman opts for the downhill life when he isn’t piloting pacers and trotters.

Skiing has long held status as his favorite pastime.

“I love getting out on the slopes whenever I can,” Lehman said. “One of my brothers lives in Idaho, so I will likely take a week and make my way up there at some point and enjoy some skiing.”

Giving his lofty numbers a lift at Cal-Expo, however, is the top priority right now.

“Each drive I get, I learn a little something more,” he said. “Win or lose, I always want to be able to take something away from the experience. That’s very important to me.”