In this week's Rewind, the ongoing monthly feature "Years Ago" covers a number of people and events from the decade of the 1980s

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1981 - Veteran Eastern Ontario Horseman Passes
Oct. 10 - Christopher George Campbell "Cam" Wannamaker, one of the best known horsemen from Eastern Ontario recently passed away at Belleville, Ont. He was born in Ameliasburgh Township, Prince Edward County in 1911 and resided throughout his lifetime at nearby Consecon, Ont. He raced horses for many years, mainly on the Quebec circuit but also competed in numerous other locations in Ontario and the U.S. His mother, who lived to be almost age 95, passed away just 7 years ago. Among his better known campaigners were R Yankee Wann and many carrying the "Wann" name, and in earlier years Oro G Kett, Scottish Reel and even one called Consecon. In more recent years his stable was joined by horseman Rejean Boily, who assumed all of the driving chores and took the stable to a number of New York State tracks where they competed very successfully. Mr. Wannamaker was 70 years of age. He is recalled as one of the last people to transport his horses and equipment in an open uncovered vehicle.

1984 - Young Windsor Based Trainer Has Career Year
Bob McIntosh, a 32-year-old Windsor-based trainer has just completed a remarkable season which earned him the honour of "CTA Trainer of the Year" for 1984. Listed among his stable stars for this year are How Nice, Mannart Maple Leaf, Savvy Almahurst, Lustra's Big Guy, Village Jackpot, Omaha Girl, Thurston and Homemade Lovin just to name a portion of his top performers. McIntosh was born into a harness racing family and has progressed up the ladder, coming out with better stock each year. This year he campaigned 25 horses, earning over $1.3 million which is quite an increase from last year's total of $700,000. While his red and white colours are evident in warm up miles, he is a non-driving trainer which is becoming more of a trend in the business. Bob employs a number of drivers such as Trevor Ritchie, Bill Gale and Bill O'Donnell depending on the racing locale. While McIntosh personally tends to the training of racing stock, he has Crawford McKeen in charge of the breaking of his yearlings.

1985 - O.H.H.A. Membership Extended To Grooms
Feb. 3, 1985 - At the annual Executive meeting of the Association a major change was proposed and accepted that will now allow grooms to become members and have full voting privileges. Several horseman spoke on the issue, most notably John Hayes Sr. who cautioned that giving voting powers to those individuals who have no financial investment in the business could have negative effects. Also voicing their differing opinions were Directors Alex Duncan and Wm. Wellwood, who both spoke on behalf of the grooms. Wellwood stated "Grooms have been kicked around long enough, give them a voice.” A vote was held and an 84 per cent majority carried the motion. In other business, Gord Sherwin was returned as President and Bob McLenaghan first V.P. At the awards presentation held the previous evening Bill and Sadie Habkirk received the OHHA Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

In other business related to the sport, Robert Burgess was named the new President of the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society. He succeeds Tom Lockyer.

1986 - Terry Kerr Leads All Canadian Drivers in Season's Wins
Horseman Terry Kerr, a 32 year old resident of Glanworth, Ont., topped all Canadian drivers in races won for the 1986 season. Competing mainly at London, Windsor, Dresden and Woodstock he scored a total of 336 victories in 1928 trips behind the starting gate, good enough for a 13 win margin over his closest rival, Steve Condren. In addition to his record setting number of wins on home soil he also tallied four wins in the U.S. One of his Stateside victories was behind Quite A Sensation at Northfield Park in Ohio where the pair enjoyed a world record performance. He also did some driving in O.S.S. events for Windsor-based trainer Bob McIntosh. Young Kerr, who hails from Milverton, Ont., scored his first ever win in June of 1970 at Clinton Raceway with a horse named Good Old Daddy. Terry comes from a racing family and often competes against family members including his younger brother Randy and his brother in laws Ray McLean Sr. and Gary Payne.

1988 - Maritime Horseman Records First $100,000 Season

Charlottetown native Joey Smallwood at the age of 48 has capped off quite a season racing primarily Maritime-breds and has chalked up his first career $100,000 season. In recent years a large number of horsemen from the area have made the decision to move elsewhere because of the low purse structure that exists in the region but he has remained. One of the most recent to move East was Donnie Rankin, Jr.

The decision to stay and compete close to home was made a bit easier for Smallwood when increased money for stakes races, in particular for two-year-olds, became a reality thanks in large part to the Rothman's Company. Listed among his better performers this year were Acton Stinger, Island Invader and J K Crown. Prior to this year, 1981 was Joey's most memorable year when he won the Gold Cup and Saucer with local favourite Saul's Pride. The Smallwood name is a popular one in this area as two of Joey's brothers Henry and Edward are also trainer-drivers.