by Chris Lomon

Bryce Gulbransen is a prime example of dedication and versatility in the horse racing world.

The amicable, articulate 19-year-old from Lebanon, OH, is anything but a one-trick pony when it comes to her standardbred racing.

Over the past eight or so months, Gulbransen has had several welcome reminders of the multitude of roles racing has to offer and how integral each one is to the across-the-board success of the sport.

“I am involved [in racing] now, but I want to get involved in different aspects of the sport,” she said. “I would say that would be one of my short-term goals with racing, to take on new things and look at other roles in the industry.

“When you sit back, you understand there are so many other roles, important ones, that help this industry flourish.”

Growing up in a racing family under her mother, Antonia Storer, and gaining hands-on experience with top trainers in Pennsylvania, Gulbransen developed a strong work ethic early on.

Storer, who started as a groom before launching her own training stable in 2018, has been an ideal role model for her daughter.

“I enjoy the long days at the barn, just spending time with my mom and the horses,” Gulbransen said. “After everyone has gone, doing your own thing, putting on some music and just taking care of the horses – those moments are some of my favorite memories.

“My mom is the one who taught me everything. She encouraged me to go on with it.”

Which is exactly what Gulbransen did.

Lessons learned from her mother led to opportunities in other barns in the Keystone State.

“I had some great opportunities to work for some very good trainers in Pennsylvania,” said Gulbransen, who lists the hard-trying, ornery bay mare Bellacache, a daughter of Aracache Hanover—Endora Hanover, as her heart horse. “They gave me a lot of responsibilities, which helped me learn and helped me grow in the business. I guess you could say they threw the lines at me and let me learn. That is a wonderful thing when you are trusted to that degree. It made me take a lot of pride in my work.”

It also set the foundation for her life outside of the racetrack.

Navigating long hours, paying attention to detail, mastering time management, pushing through tough moments – Gulbransen transferred those skills from the barn into life in the classroom.

Currently attending Sinclair College in Dayton, OH, where she is studying Radiology, Gulbransen is planning to transfer to the University of Cincinnati soon.

“You might not think there are similarities between what I am studying and what I do with horses, but I do see some, especially work ethic,” she said. “Working with horses has been so helpful in my studies.”

The two worlds met last year.

This past August, the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association (OHHA) awarded 17 scholarships, totaling $15,000 USD, to college students for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The OHHA Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors and students enrolled in a degree or certificate program. Graduate students are eligible if they are enrolled in a harness racing-specific graduate or professional-level program. The scholarships are based on academic merit and must be used towards the cost and expenses related to coursework and a degree being pursued at a college or university. In addition, the applicant or a family member must be an OHHA member.

Gulbransen checked all the boxes as an ideal recipient.

“I still work for my mom,” Gulbransen said. “I ship our horses to the track and race them at night. I do my classes in the morning. My days are pretty much at school and then heading straight to the track and racing.”

Last summer, Gulbransen expanded the scope of her multifaceted standardbred skill set after an offer from a familiar face.

“I have been riding horses since I was little,” she said. “I used to show horses, so I have always enjoyed riding. Ashley Holliday is our outrider at Dayton [Raceway] and I have known her since I was young. She runs an outriding clinic and over the past summer, she said she would love to have me come by and ride, even if it wasn’t connected to outriding.

“So, I tried the outriding, and it is the best of both worlds. You get to be part of racing, but you are riding at the same time. I have been busy lately, so I haven’t been doing it, but I hope to be doing it again in the future.”

In between getting a leg up, staying on top of her course load, and ensuring her mother’s horses are race-ready, Gulbransen carves out time to enjoy the outdoor scene.

“I like to spend time outdoors, going on runs and hikes,” she said. “Staying healthy and active is important, which is something my mother always taught me. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of time.”

Not that she views that as a negative.

“If you enjoy what you are doing, it is never a bad thing,” Gulbransen said.

Guided by a strong support system from her family and mentors, Gulbransen is motivated to further her affinity for horse racing, while crafting a life filled with passion and purpose.

“Whether it’s with horses, school or anything else in my life, I have always had a great amount of support from so many people,” Gulbransen said. “They have all helped me reach my goals and keep striving for more. I think no matter what the future holds, I’ll be happy with how it turns out.”