To help TROT celebrate its 40th anniversary , The I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club launched a contest in October for Fan Club members to submit interesting stories, anecdotes or memories about what they were doing in harness racing in 1974 -- 40 years ago.

We received some great submissions from across the country and would like to thank everyone for taking the time to share their memories. The winning entry, submitted by horseman Gord Brown, of Cobourg, Ontario, is published in the December issue of TROT and you can read it here:

I was 13 years old in 1974 riding with Ernie Brown and Bob Woodward for Grand Circuit week every night. I remember holding Handle With Care by the halter for Freddy Grant while he braided her foretop prior to her winning yet another race.

I remember the awful smell of Lake Ontario like it was yesterday. A smell I yearn for today.

At 13 I was young and impressionable and would talk to anyone who would listen. The likes of Jimmy Arthur, Frank Ervin, Bill Haughton, Stanley Dancer and my favourite, Bruce Nickell.

I remember horses like Ima Lula, Kentucky, Savoir and Bye Bye Max and many, many more.

Still etched in my mind is the memory of walking beside these horses as the grooms walked them across the Thoroughbred track with a cooler on their backs to the paddock so the drivers could go their final warm up.

I then went to the paddock where I am sure I got in the way. I remember eating French fries in the backstretch kitchen out of a brown paper bag with so much vinegar the fries would fall through the bottom. I then helped walk the horses for at least two hours after the race.

I would listen to the race results on the way home in the back seat knowing full well the outcome.

I would then hustle in the door at home to watch the 11:00 show with Jim Lampman. The next night I would do it all over again.

These are and always will be the greatest memories in harness racing for me. So many people and horses left us years ago but they will live forever in the heart and mind of a 13 year old boy.

Gord Brown, Forever 13

To read other honourable mentions from the contest, view the feature from TROT Magazine below or click here.