Terry Brown is a policeman by trade, but he has a summer hobby that takes up just as much of his time.

Brown, 44, of Slippery Rock has been involved in the harness horse industry as an owner, trainer, and driver for over 20 years now, and says he has loved every minute of it.

"The horse business is a little bit of a relief from my job," Brown said. "It's nice just to come out here and get away from things for a few hours."

Brown does say that being around horses isn't always as relaxing as one might think.

"It allows me to wind down and you're supposed to be able to enjoy the harness racing end of it, but horses have their own minds, too," said Brown. "They can make you just as nervous or upset with the horse business as with your professional business."

Brown got his feet wet in the horse industry when he and his dad purchased four brood mares in the mid-1980's.

"We've been fortunate to have some very good horses over the years," said Brown.

Two of those horses, 3 year-old trotting fillies Annabelle Lee and Mary Bell, are at the top of their game right now, according to Brown.

"We had some problems with them being babies and uncooperative with their manners last year," he said. "They had a little trouble getting going in Ohio (where they were bred) last year, but once we got them racing here in Pennsylvania, they were perfect. They'll be racing here and I think they'll do fine."

Brown hopes to keep the love of horses instilled within his family for years to come.

"My kids (Ashley, 16 and Brady, 13) are getting at the age where they are able to really interact with the horses," he said. "My son is starting to jog horses for me, and my daughter is pretty heavily involved as well.

"I think it will (continue to run in the family) because it gives them something to do throughout the summer."

Brown said many people hold some misconceptions about the horse industry.

"People don't understand that harness racing is a tough business," he said. "They can look and see that you win this much or that much money, but they don't understand the groundwork that goes into it and the amount of time that's involved with it. You don't go into this business looking to get rich, because that's just not going to happen."

Harness horse racing is unlike any other sport when it comes to interaction between the fans and the participants.

"It's a nice business, and for people that want to interact around the horses and drivers, this is the best place to do it," Brown said. "You can stand right next to a stall door rather than looking down from the top of a football stadium."

As for the reasons he derives enjoyment out of harness racing, Brown cites two main factors.

"We've had some good horses, and some bad horses, but the enjoyment you get from the good ones far outweigh the bad ones," he said. "(The other reason is that you) couldn't ask for a better group of people to be around than on the Pennsylvania fair circuit."

Cimbal is a publicist for the United States Trotting Association.