by Steve Myrick

If you live in Northern California, and you need to move a horse, Steve Hiatt is your man.

If it is the middle of the night, and the life of your horse depends on getting to a veterinary hospital fast, Steve Hiatt is without question your man.

“I don't turn down a call,” said Hiatt.

For his unwavering devotion to helping people and horses, Hiatt was awarded the Race Track Chaplaincy of America's White Horse Award at Santa Anita Park on Thursday at the organization's annual award luncheon. The honor is handed out annually to a racing related person or group that performs heroically to save horses or humans.

Hiatt drives a four-horse trailer for Hoofbeats Horse Transportation, hauling horses from Golden Gate Fields and Northern California farms. Often, the run is to the University of California-Davis veterinary hospital.

“If I get a call at two in the morning, if I'm available, I'll make the run,” said Hiatt.

Hiatt said he plans to donate part of the $5,000 check that comes with the award to Thoroughbred Friends, a horse rescue organization in Woodlands, California.

Runner up for the award was a group of eight people who responded to severe flooding in California's Tijuana River Valley on December 17, 2008. Judy Coover, Dick Tynan, Kim Warriner, and Kirk Coles represented the group. They led about 70 horses to higher ground, through rising flood waters. They are credited with saving the lives of many animals.

Also nominated for the award were Donna Hancock and Sarah and Benjie La Rue. They were the first to arrive at the Riverside Training Center in Henderson, Kentucky on November 20, 2008 when fire struck the facility. With flames consuming the front of the barn, they broke into the back and worked to save the terrified horses. After the fire 26 horses perished, but four were saved by their efforts.

Hiatt offered high praise for his fellow nominees.

“They deserve this award. I'm just doing my job,” said Hiatt. “Going into a burning barn, swimming horses out, they're heroes. I'm not about to step into a burning barn.”

Also honored was John Harris, chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, and a benefactor to dozens of local charitable organizations, including the Race Track Chaplaincy of America. Harris was awarded the Chaplaincy's Community Award.

Steve Myrick is a Massachusetts-based correspondent for Thoroughbred Times