Nadia Tarnawa has staked her claim in harness racing
by Victoria Howard
The sport of harness racing has been around for centuries. Trotting racing in the United States began in 1788, it was introduced to France in 1836, cart racing began as early as 1808 in Italy, and Sweden launched harness racing in the 1880s.
Throughout history, horsepeople from other countries traveled to the United States. Drivers, trainers, owners, breeders, and caretakers all crossed the ocean in search of fame and fortune by doing what they love to do best: work with racehorses.
In fact, some of the sport’s most renowned horsepeople such as Jimmy Takter came from Sweden, the McCarthy brothers (Andrew and Todd) from Australia, Yannick Gingras arrived from Canada, Chris Page and Dexter Dunn from New Zealand, and we can’t forget the late Herve Filion, who also came from Canada.
Nadia Tarnawa, was born in Bielsko-Biala, Poland. Although harness racing is not as popular in Poland as it is in other countries, it is noted for Arabian horse racing and Arabian breeding.
Not only does Tarnawa have a very important job in the business today — overseeing staking, event planning, and winner’s circle responsibilities — but she is the daughter-in-law of Hall of Fame trainer Chris Ryder, and the wife of Chris’ son, driver Patrick Ryder.
So, how did a young woman with zero experience or knowledge in the sport end up being so heavily involved?
“As a young girl my father got me involved in every sport under the sun: swimming, skiing, and volleyball. Everything that is, except horses.
“After I finished getting my undergraduate degree at Rutgers [summa cum laude], the plan was to hopefully attend law school. I worked at an immigration law firm in Princeton [in New Jersey] which I loved but since my husband-to-be at the time decided to follow in his father’s footsteps in the horse business, I knew it would be best for our marriage if I used my brains in the harness racing industry instead. This led me to work with John Campbell and Moira Fanning, two of the greatest mentors in the business, who gave me an opportunity to learn and grow.
“I truly did not know much about harness racing until I met my husband. To be honest, at first the business and horses did not impress me. When I was at Chris Ryder’s house, I would walk past all his trophies and winning photos and didn’t pay much attention to any of it the first few years. I was a bit oblivious to the world of harness racing and history behind the sport.
“Over time, especially when my husband decided to pursue a career in harness racing, I began to understand the dedication, passion, and hard work that harness racing truly involves.
“What once seemed like just trophies and photos, slowly became stories, memories, and accomplishments that I grew to deeply appreciate.”
So, you jumped in and got a horse.
“Presently, I own racehorses with my husband. Our very first horse we owned together was Lisa Lane. When Patrick decided to make harness racing his career, I said, ‘We need a horse, and we need one now.’
“At that time Patrick was heading to the Lexington Sale while I stayed home for, I was eight months pregnant. As he walked out the door, I told him, ‘Do not come home without a horse.’ The horse he brought home was Lisa Lane, who became the start of everything to us. Today, I am completely hooked, and I continue growing our involvement in the sport.”
Besides being an owner of standardbreds, in what other ways are you involved in the sport?
“Several years ago, I got a job working with the Hambletonian Society as a stakes manager. My job is to oversee all staking for the 164 races that we own and/or service. My role involves working closely with John Campbell, the racetracks across North America, and Jessica Schroeder from the USTA.
“The job is much more than simply collecting payments. It also includes promoting stakes races, creating new opportunities, and planning schedules at least a year in advance to determine when and where races should be held. A large part of my work involves analyzing which stakes may need adjustments in order to remain successful and continue growing.
“This year, we moved the Colonial Trot and Colonial Oaks to Chester, and the result was an increase of more than 60 per cent in stakes payments for those races. Seeing that kind of growth and knowing the positive effect it can have on the sport is incredibly rewarding.
“As I said, my main role is overseeing staking, but when it comes to our major events, such as the Hambletonian and Breeders Crown, I am heavily involved in event planning and winner’s circle responsibilities.
“Because we are a small office, all of us wear many different hats. Being involved in both the operational side of the sport, and the excitement of race day, has given me an even greater appreciation for harness racing and the people behind it.”
This column is dedicated to all the women who are in our sport. Is there any particular female that you admire most?
“That’s a tough question for I have deep admiration for all the women in the sport, the trainers, drivers, TV hosts, grooms, the ladies who work in the office, but especially the mothers and wives whose work often happens behind the scenes. They are the steady support system that keeps everything running, balancing responsibilities, making sacrifices, and holding things together when the spotlight is elsewhere.
“It’s easy to overlook that side of the sport, but it truly is a team effort, and their dedication is a huge part of what makes everything possible: the impact they have may not always be visible, but it’s essential.
“But I especially want to add that a perfect example of this would be my mother-in-law, Nicola.”
Of all the horses you have owned or have been involved with, do you have a favorite?
“Yes. It is Lisa Lane. She was our very first horse and over the years she has become a part of our family. Our son, Harry, absolutely loves her and even calls her his ‘big sister.’
“Patrick was able to learn to drive with her, which made their bond even more special. ‘Lisa’ is a sweetheart and we have her groom, Chrissy Reichenberger, to thank for that. During Lisa’s racing career, Chrissy took incredible care of her and helped shape her into the loving horse she is today.
“Lisa is going to be a mommy, and we are all so excited for this next chapter. I wish we had a bigger backyard so she could live with us at home, because to us, she is so much more than a horse, she is family!”
As a girl who came from Poland with no involvement with horses, you have as they say, “come a long way.” What is your life like today?
“Today my family lives in Bordentown, NJ. Patrick, who I met at one of Ron Pierce’s son’s birthday parties, is quite busy with the horses, and he also drives a lot at Chester, Meadowlands, and Pocono.
“When we have a quiet day, we enjoy doing things with our son Harry. He is our sunshine and brings so much joy into our lives. Thankfully Harry loves the horses and always wants to go to the barn. He enjoys learning all the horse’s names and spending time with them.
“Something that is very dear to my heart is every year, I organize a ‘Kids Day’ at the farm for Harry’s preschool friends. Harry loves teaching the children all about the horses, how to care for them, what they eat and where they live.
“‘Kids Day’ has become a huge success and is a hit every year. It helps promote our great sport and the children, our future, absolutely love it. I strongly believe we need to involve more children in harness racing and what better way than a field trip to Chris Ryder Stables?”
