Karyn Malinowski is presented with the 2021 Harness Horse Youth Foundation’s Service to Youth Award in the winner’s circle at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Photo)
Karyn Malinowski, founding director of the Equine Science Center at Rutgers University, received the 2021 Harness Horse Youth Foundation’s Service to Youth Award on Friday, August 5, 2022. Her staff and friends joined Malinowski as she was presented with the award by executive director of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF), Ellen Taylor, during a ceremony at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
“Malinowski’s passion for harness racing and dedication to educating youth through her work at Rutgers is unmatched,” said Allison Conte, HHYF president. “She and HHYF have collaborated for years so her selection as this year’s recipient was an obvious choice and perhaps a bit overdue.”
Malinowski spent much of her career working with youth in 4-H programs, and with her students and staff helped to develop the famous website portal, “Equine Science 4 Kids!” The site engages youth around the globe as they learn about the basics of caring for and managing horses. Her extension project entitled, “Careers in the Green Industry: Youth Sow Seeds for Their Future,” which involved horses and adjudicated youth, has served as a model for similar programs worldwide.
Her connection to harness racing was spurred on by a harness driving demo at the Horse Park of New Jersey when she had the opportunity to drive Niatross, one of the most notable horses in harness racing history. From there she would go on to compete in amateur races, eventually winning a race with a record-setting pace as the second-fastest time for a female driver at the Meadowlands (the fastest time being held by professional driver Jacquie Ingrassia).
Malinowski has served as a faculty member at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences since 1978 in various roles, including extension specialist in Equine Sciences, Animal Sciences Professor, founding director of the Equine Science Center, and the director of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
Her research and extension programs concentrate on improving the equine athlete’s well-being and quality of life while ensuring the equine industry’s vitality and viability, both statewide and nationally.
For additional information, contact Kyle Hartmann at kylehart@njaes.rutgers.edu or 848-932-9419.
