Clifford W. "Cliff" Limeberry

Clifford W. "Cliff" Limeberry, who was active in Standardbred horses and harness racing in Southern Indiana for more than 35 years, died on Sunday, January 24, 1999, after a long illness.

He was probably Harrison County's biggest promoter of harness racing and was the director of the Harrison County Agricultural Association from 1964 to 1998.  Fred Commack, a friend and colleague of Cliff, said, "He always considered it a profession, even though it was a hobby for him."

Cliff never won the Hambletonian, but he had good horses racing at Louisville Downs, Hoosier Park, and the Indiana and Kentucky Fair Circuits.  Some of his horses were DS Time, 2:03; My Scootin Scotty, 2:03; My Scotch Lass, 1:59; Miss Flying L, 2:01; CR Ravina, 2:01; Misty May Morn, 1:59; Brians Messenger, 2:01; Daves Majority, 2:01; Random Length, 1:55.1; Kevins Majority, 1:57; and Wabash Flash, 1:56.1.

Cliff's son, David, said he got his dad interested in Standardbred horses.  When he got out of high school, David bought a horse, instead of a car.  However, horse racing was more expensive than he thought, and his dad bailed him out.  By then, Cliff too was hooked on harness racing.

In 1976, Limeberry was quoted in a Courier Journal article as saying about harness racing, "There aren't many of us here in it for the money.  We do it because we like it.  It is in our blood."  He added, "There aren't many of us left, but the ones left are dedicated to it."

Cliff was a member of the USTA.  He received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the highest civilian award in the state, from Governor Robert D. Orr in the 80s.

He is survived by his wife, the former Alice Tindall; a son, David; a daughter, Sharon LaHue; and four grandchildren.