A few months ago I heard an expression that has stuck with me, constantly resonating. It's almost like a slogan I've tried to adopt but just never put into words. Work is love made visible.

When you know people who love their job, and you have the privilege of working with those people, it helps make a job or profession seem less like "work". Inevitably that feeling becomes contagious.

In the time I've known and worked with Ted Smith at Standardbred Canada, I've witnessed first hand how his love for the business abundantly shines through in everything he does. It's a true and genuine passion not just for harness racing and the standardbred breed, but for the horse racing industry.

Over a year and a half ago, Ted helped create the SC web director position - and had the faith in me to take that ball and run with it. He has been a tremendous asset for discussing ideas, providing tips and contacts. Ted has been (and I hope will continue to be) one of the website's biggest fans and has always realized and felt confident in its strength.

For the most part Ted and I have seen eye to eye. When we haven't, I have found that it's easier to disagree with someone when you know that ultimately you're trying to end up in the same place. Ted has convinced me on more than one occasion to take the high road at times I was more than ready not to...and I'm glad he did.

As Ted steps down from the President & CEO role and starts a life outside of Standardbred Canada, I'm quite certain that work won't be on his mind on Monday morning but I think it will still have a place in his heart. In Ted's case, be it consciously or subconsciously, that work was love he made visible.

Thanks for everything, Ted, and all the best to you and Deborah in retirement.

-JP