Harness racing is one of the two main types of horse racing, the other being thoroughbred horse racing, which involves saddles and jockeys. Harness racing instead involves a more durable standardbred horse, a driver, and a two-wheeled vehicle, known as a sulky.

There are two types of harness racing: trotting and pacing. The pacing gait is generally easier to maintain and easier to teach, so the majority of harness races are for pacers.

It is a multi-million dollar regulated industry that provides many career options for both horse lovers and racing enthusiasts.
Career opportunities are available in the following areas:

Administration

Integrity – Protecting & enhancing the reputation of harness racing

• Stewards – oversee racing operations on race day within the rules of racing.
• Investigative Steward – conducts investigations relating to the racing industry.

Commercial

• Event Management – co-ordinating the planning, marketing & execution of HRV industry events.
• Communications Manager – responsible for a range of PR, digital and media communication activities.

Finance

• Accountant – prepares financial reports for the organisation and provide advice.

Racing Operations

• Form & Content Expert –  aims to promote wagering on harness racing through accurate, insightful & profitable form analysis of Victorian race meetings for public consumption.
• Handicapper –  undertake handicapping & field selection for Victorian harness race meetings.

Race day Careers

• Race Caller – provides accurate, informative and entertaining race calls of harness races in Victoria.
• Starter – conducts mobile & standing starts at harness racing meetings throughout Victoria.
• Swab Attendant – works with the on-course Vet to collect samples from horses for drug screen analysis. 
• Photo Finish Operator – provides digital images of all horses competing in a race.
• Judge – responsible for placing each horse in their correct finishing order after each race.
• Barrier Attendant – is responsible for the safe preparations and starting of each race.
• Track & Grounds Curator – looks after the harness racing track to ensure it is in optimum condition for all races.

More information is available at Harness Racing Victoria. A good description of the different styles of harness racing can be found at the Western Australian Trotting Association.

Qualifications and occupations

Bolding indicates a qualification appears on the Victorian Funded Course List, meaning subsidies are available for eligible students. Refer to the latest Funded Course List for more information.