Meadows photographer Gooden wins prestigious award

By John Sacco

Contributing Writer

In triumph and tragedy, The Meadows observe photographer Chris Gooden hits the mark.

His documentation of the Honor Walk at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, for the late Hunter Myers – who tragically misplaced his life after an on-track crash on the North Strabane Township observe in March, was one of the vital troublesome moments of Gooden’s embellished profession.

While it was emotionally painful and a heartbreaking process, Gooden understood what it meant to Myers’ household, pals and friends.

Myers, 27, died March 19 following an on-track accident at The Meadows.

The demise rocked the harness racing business. The loss was deeply private for Gooden, who had an in depth relationship to Myers.

The Honor Walk video created by Gooden “became a profoundly moving tribute,” one which has earned him a President’s Award from the United States Harness Writers Association and Michael Carter, USHWA president, it was introduced in a press launch.

The video confirmed Myers in his hospital mattress being pushed by way of the hallway as household, pals, horsemen – together with a number of drivers – and medical employees stood at his facet. His organs have been donated and helped a number of individuals, together with an 11-year-old lady who wanted a coronary heart transplant.

The video was accessible on social media.

“Losing Hunter is something I still can’t fathom to this day,” mentioned Gooden, within the launch. “We had so much fun creating memories through video and photos. When he passed, I felt like I lost a piece of my own creativity.”

Gooden, who’s a a number of George Smallsreed Award winner in pictures, is well-known for producing compelling visible content material that helps share harness racing with a broader viewers, the discharge mentioned.

“Obviously, anybody who has ever run into Chris or has seen his work, knows the talent that he possesses,” Carter mentioned in a phone interview. “I’ve watched that video many occasions. He’s nicely deserving (of the award). This was actually particular, I believe, for lots of people on the observe.

“I remember calling Chris in March and just telling him, you know, that (the video) really helped bring people together. My exact quote to him was: ‘Pack your bags. I’m giving you an award.’ Normally, I don’t give the President’s Award out until December. But I told him then ‘It’s yours. You’ve already won.’”

Gooden can be acknowledged on the 2026 Dan Patch Awards Banquet, which honors the most effective of harness racing, each human and equine. The banquet can be held Feb. 22 at Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, Fla.

“Chris Gooden’s work is second to none in the sport of harness racing,” Carter mentioned. “His impact goes far beyond photography because through his engaging social media content he brings new faces and new energy to the sport.”