Longtime California horseman Etienne "Steve" Desomer passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 after a brief illness at age 89. 

Steve, a well-respected horseman with the California community, along with his wife, Vickie (Dunn), were the first inductees into the California Harness Hall of Fame in 2005. Also inducted were two of Steve’s favourite horses, Desmond, p,4,1:56.4 ($474,556), dubbed the "King of the Cal Breds" and Dante Jay, 7,1:59 ($306,160), the only California-bred trotter to win the American Trotting Classic in 1981.

Steve was born in Belgium in 1936 to a farming and racing family and went on to serve in the Belgium army where he picked up boxing and attained a record of 19 wins, one loss, and one draw. 

In 1957, after attaining a special visa for married couples, Steve and his then wife Marie-José travelled on the Queen Mary landing at Ellis Island before proceeding to Canada, where they eventually had a pig and tobacco farm. But in 1968, with the horses still in his blood, Steve headed south to Ohio, where he eventually picked up his first horse, Daisys Bomb, who helped him catapult in the business.

Teaming up with his now wife Vickie (Dunn) in 1975, together they developed the most respected farm with the sires stakes foals and racing. Always known as a trotting man due to his European roots with trotters, Steve became well sought out by his fellow horsemen for advice with a horse whether it was for shoeing advice, equipment or diagnostics. Always the storyteller with his quick wit and adventures, Steve could have you laughing until you cried!

Some of Steve’s favourite and most prominent horses were Desmond, Dante Jay, True Gypsy and Silverlode. At the age of 82, Steve handed over the reins to Steve Wiseman and his wife, Kathie, and Silverode broke the North American and Canadian record for a 1-1/2 miles in 2:57.2.

Some of Steve’s hobbies were gold mining at his property at the Klamath, flying his planes, working on his tractors or snuggling with his dogs.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Vickie; daughter, Anita; sons, Etienne (Tien), Bryan and Leah Freeman; his grandsons, Shane, Lukus, Joseph and Collin; and granddaughters, Kayden and Kaitlyn; and great grandchildren, Madisyn and Mordeki. Preceding in death was his oldest son, Gino.

Vickie and Steve Desomer.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Steve Desomer.

(California Harness Horsemen's Association)