The Virginia House of Delegates recognized harness horseman Winston Lineweaver’s lifelong accomplishments and legacy in the sport at their February 3rd session at the State Capitol Building in Richmond.
Delegate John Avoli kicked off the day’s festivities at the General Assembly by reading a proclamation that highlighted Mr. Lineweaver’s impact on harness racing in the Shenandoah Valley. The tribute was conducted by the oldest legislative body in the free world and is now part of its permanent record.
Mr. Lineweaver, who competed in Woodstock for decades at the Shenandoah County Fair and at Shenandoah Downs since it began in 2016, passed away September 24th last year. He was born in Conicville, Virginia, and at the time of his death, lived in Mauertown, Virginia.
Mr. Lineweaver, who had 1628 victories in his driving career and had eighteen seasons when his UDRS was above .300, was from a family which turned out many participants in the harness sport; his brother Alvin joined him in the 1000 Wins Club with 1239.
Mr. Lineweaver was a second generation horseman, and is survived by his wife Elieen, who trained horses in Woodstock with him, his daughter Joyce, a long time harness trainer based in Delaware, and another daughter Doris, who is the Director of Racing at Shenandoah Downs and is one of the few female racing secretaries in the industry. Mr. Lineweaver’s grandchildren, Weston and Maggie, also are involved and help prepare and service the Shenandoah barn area for horsemen upon arrival.
All five were present for the proclamation’s reading. The group received a tour of the State Capitol Building before the day’s session began and were welcomed by Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert on the floor after the session concluded.
The actual proclamation will be read on a race day to be determined during the 2022 Shenandoah Downs season and will be presented to the Lineweaver family. .
