The Nova Awards honor the owners of the champion harness horses of each racing season as selected by the racing secretaries at HTA member racetracks. Click here for past Nova Award winners. This award honors the caretaker of the year. Owners, trainers, track personnel and the general public nominate grooms who deserve special recognition for outstanding work. The deadline for a letter of nomination is December 31.
All caretakers nominated receive a certificate of recognition of excellence.
The winner receives an original oil painting of himself or herself with his or her horse. For more information on nominating a groom, click here. In 1982 and since 1993, only one award was presented regardless of the horse's earnings.