He recently enjoyed a major stakes win with three-year-old Atlanta on the Grand Circuit, but longtime horseman Rick Zeron would speak just as passionately about his recent appearance at Rideau Carleton Raceway as he would his track record-setting trotter.

Zeron Night for Ottawa’s Shepherds of Good Hope served as a kickoff for the summer season of racing at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, May 20 and the event was by all accounts a rousing success.

"A great night. John MacMillan [of the National Capital Region Harness Horse Association] did leaps and bounds putting it together...absolutely perfect," gushed Zeron. "My hat's off to John, he's part of the backbone of Rideau Carleton. A great guy and did a great job.

"I had a great time stepping back in time to when I started in 1975, and a great tour down memory lane seeing tons of friends I haven't seen in forever," Zeron continued. "I had a good bunch of horses to drive and we raised money for charity, which is very important to me. My family and I went down and they made sure we were treated like kings and queens. I said to John, 'anytime you need me holler and I'll be there for you.'"

Right: Rick Zeron and Neil Leslie, Vice President of the Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation

"The night was great, it was the biggest crowd of the year," MacMillan told Trot Insider. "Rick received a very warm reception by all and he performed like the great champion that he is. Many fans got to meet Rick for the first time but there were also many reunions at the autograph table and in the dining room with friends who Rick met many years ago."

The O'Brien Award winning horseman donated his purse earnings from the evening to the fundraising efforts, and delivered on the track by hitting the board and picking up cheques in each of his drives. MacMillan didn't have a total figure but did say that Zeron himself raised thousands of dollars "and the fans donated much needed food and other items."