For the past 13 years, I've had the privilege of writing a column for the back page of TROT Magazine.

I've shared personal stories, passed along opinions and reflections about harness racing, and expressed frustration at issues that drove me up the wall.

I sometimes got emotional sharing my thoughts with you. You hopefully tolerated me when I drifted outside the tra-ditional lines of covering the sport or repeated myself about the need to be bold and courageous in order to grow the industry. I tried to bring you along on my journey - good, bad or confusing. And I sincerely hope you enjoyed the ride.

I have been told numerous times over the years, from many of you, that you read my column every month, or flipped right to the back page when your magazine arrives. Sometimes that comment was followed up by, "I don't always agree with what you have to say, but I do read it."

Frankly, even the times when you disagreed with my opinion, I always considered the feedback to be a compliment. The fact that you took time out of your day, always, or on occasion, to read what I had to write, meant a lot to me.

Now, after working day-to-day on the production of this publication for the past 15 years, I am moving to a new role at Standardbred Canada. I am excited to be transitioning into a position where innovation and growth are priorities. As a fan, customer, breeder and owner, my passion in this industry has always been focused on growing the sport and doing what I can to make sure it thrives.

This month, my column is not on the back page of TROT.

This month, and going forward, that spot is reserved for Dan Fisher, the new Managing Director of TROT. To say that Dan has been an absolutely instrumental part of the TROT team for the past several years is an enormous understatement.

Dan has a wealth of experience at Standardbred Canada, and with all aspects of TROT. As a longtime active participant in the sport, he is uniquely qualified to lead this publication forward and I wish him only the very best.

Our production coordinator, Susan Longley is the one who makes sure that TROT gets put together, and out to you each month. And our many talented writers and photographers, and our wonderful website team led by Jeff Porchak and Jeff Renton, ensure that everything hums along smoothly. I thank them all.

It was Chris Roberts who brought me to this position many years ago. Chris looked at the pages of this magazine as an opportunity to create something special each and every month, and we worked hard to live up to that lofty standard.

Looking back, we have reason to be proud. Today, I have reason to be thankful. Tomorrow, we all have reason to be optimistic!

While I am not going far, I must take this opportunity to say to each and every one of you, "Thank you, and see you at the track!"

Darryl Kaplan
[email protected]